Catalina Birding Trail Loop

The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required)  The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. Cal...

To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). The next 1.7 miles ar...

This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. Any car can access this trail-head easily. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. Park at the end of the road. Do not enter any private driveways please! The trail-head sign is normally hard to find because it is small and brown but I h...

Start at the Sabino Canyon trailhead - you can either walk up the dirt road (which adds about 4 miles) or take the $10 tram from the Visitor Center and hop off at the last stop #9. From there you hike 2.5 miles into Sabino Canyon into the basin (beautiful views of the canyon all the way there). Once you’re at the basin, you’ll take the West Fork trail for another 1.6 miles. There will be a cai...

Starting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. There is a good chance that you'll have the top all to yourself especially if you go on a weekday.When you hit the paved tram road you'll need to take a right and keep wa...

This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. The creek itself is pretty dry most of the year, but after a rain it's a wonderful place to cool off and escape from the merciless desert heat. Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. The trail is lined with p...