• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Hourless Life Logo

Hourless Life

Love. Explore. Study. Share.

  • Overlanding
    • South America
    • North America
    • Gear and Build
    • Resources
  • RV Travel
    • RV Life With Kids
  • Off-Roading
    • Off-Roading Trails
    • Jeep Life
    • Go Prepared
  • Travel Tips
  • Family Travel
  • About
    • Map of Travel Content
    • Press
    • Gear Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Store
    • Cart
    • Returns
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Brown Mountain Loop Trail

Meet the Beautiful Sonoran Desert in Tucson

Justin's Diamond J RV Park Trail
The Sonoran Desert in Tucson, AZ

Eric and I fell in love with the Sonoran Desert during our stay in Tucson, Arizona. We loved the beauty of this unique desert, and the endless opportunities to hike and be out in nature. By the end of our stay, we were even testing each other to see if we could remember the various cacti and plant names. I actually have an article in mind that’s entirely devoted to all the things I love about the saguaro cactus.

For those who love exploring the outdoors, I think it would take multiple lifetimes for you to experience the many trails and nature areas available in the Tucson area. We tried to make the most of the time we had, but please comment with anything we missed. We’ll definitely be returning in the future.

–> If you’re looking for more things to do in Tucson, check out “Our Spontaneous Afternoon in Downtown Tucson, AZ” <–

Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon Tram
Sabino Canyon tram stopped at stop #9

Sabino Canyon was one of the last places we visited, but it ended up being our favorite activity in the whole city. Upon arrival, we bought our $10/person tickets and hopped on the tram, which runs from 9-4:30 p.m.

It’s a quick, 1.8-mile drive to the end of the road, where the tram turns around and returns to the visitor’s center. On the way, there are nine stops where people can get on or off.

For those who aren’t able to hike, Sabino Canyon offers access to the breath-taking beauty of the Sonoran Desert. We ended up riding to stop #9, then getting out around stop #5 and walking back to our car.

Sabino Canyon
Beautiful Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon Brittany Highland
By the stream that runs through the canyon

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road – Website

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Owl Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Meeting an owl on our way into the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Our second favorite place in Tucson is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. We visited on a Saturday and spent about four hours there, including a short break in the shade with the picnic lunch we packed. This is the place where we were able to learn the names of the plants and animals we had been spotting on our daily walks.

When you go, don’t miss the Raptor Free Flight, which usually runs from October to March. They’ve designed the show so that the birds fly directly over visitors’ heads. You can feel their wind, and sometimes even their feather tips!

Another don’t-miss exhibit is the hummingbird aviary. I’ve never been so close to so many hummingbirds, and they are amazing birds!

Hummingbird Aviary Tucson
Arms-length away from this lovely creature
Beavers Sleeping in Their Den
By pressing a button to turn on the light, we were able to sneak a peek at these sleeping beavers in their den
Vulture Wings Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Playing vulture
Cactus Garden Tucson
We loved the cactus garden, full of an extraordinary variety of Sonoran Desert cactus species
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Aquarium
There’s even an aquarium at the museum, to show the marine species in the area
Coyote Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
The museum gives visitors close access to coyotes, javelinas and other desert species

2021 N. Kinney Road – Website

Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park

Saguaro Cactus Hug Tucson
Obligatory saguaro hug photo

It took me a while to suss out the difference between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park, since they’re co-located. As it turns out, Tucson Mountain Park is county-run. Notably, it holds Gilbert Ray Campground, where many of our friends have stayed. We met Matthew, Celeste and their two sons–of Wandering Nation–at their campsite there, and it was absolutely gorgeous.

Of course we had to visit the national park and get our passport stamp. Since we had already been doing a lot of exploring and hiking in Tucson, the park didn’t seem exceptional. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing.

The most unique thing we saw were the petroglyphs. There were so many and they were well-defined. I couldn’t help but pause and consider the people who left their mark there.

Saguaro national Park Petroglyphs
Petroglyphs in Saguaro National Park
Petroglyphs Saguaro National Park
It’s not graffiti when it’s hundreds of years old
Petroglyphs Sonoran Desert
Well-defined petroglyphs–what story are they telling?

Brown Mountain Loop Trail

Brown Mountain Loop Trail Tucson
Climbing a rise on the Brown Mountain Loop Trail

One afternoon, I ventured back into Tucson Mountain Park to hike Brown Mountain Loop Trail. This is a relatively easy, 4.1-mile loop that gives a delightful view of the surrounding desert. It also takes you right into the back yard of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

This is a helpful review of the trail from Tucson Weekly.

Brittany Highland Hiking Tucson
Selfie at the top
Brown Mountain Loop Trail
If you’re getting tired of saguaro photos, don’t complain because I have a lot more I could post
Brown Mountain Loop Trail
What did I tell you?

Sonoran Desert Trails Behind Our RV Park

Desert Labyrinth
Desert labyrinth along the trail behind our RV park in Tucson

We stayed at Justin’s Diamond J RV Park, which is located just south of Tucson Mountain Park. Every day, we walked the trail system behind our park, which eventually reaches the county land. Our very first hike ever, we saw a coyote just a few yards away! Having these trails so close was a real treat for us.

Eric Highand Saguaro Cactus Tucson
This saguaro cactus could easily be 150 years old

3451 S. San Joaquin Road – Website

I can’t express my admiration for the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Photos really don’t do it justice.

What are your favorite things to do outside in Tucson?

-B

Written by:
BrittanyHighland
Published on:
March 9, 2016
Thoughts:
2 Comments

Categories: RV TravelTags: arizona, national park, tucson

Patreon is our community where we transparently share the wins and challenges of this unconventional lifestyle. When we must leave friends and family to continue our drive around the world, our patrons consistently offer support and encouragement. We invite you to join us on this journey of a lifetime!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marshall

    March 9, 2016 at 8:36 am

    I’d love to hear how y’all pronounce “Saguaro”! 😉

    Reply
    • Brittany Highland

      March 10, 2016 at 12:05 am

      You would’ve liked to have heard it before we learned the right way. :p @FindingMarshall:disqus

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hourless Life mark

Footer

Hourless Life

902 Ayers St. #331522
Crp. Christi, TX 78404

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Legal

Join the Journey

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube