San Pedro River from Fairbank

Fan of Western movies? Most people are aware of Hollywood movies like Tombstone and Wyatt Earp along with the infamous real life Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  But instead of walking where Kevin Costner or Kurt Russell stood, walk the boardwalks along the dusty main drag where the real Doc Holiday stood.  The “Town Too Tough to Die” didn't earn its nickname name for nothing, it is now a booming ...

Take Rt. 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow the sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood Rd., Forest Rd. 84, for about 12 miles to the Stronghold Campground. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a long day hike. Guide books have it at 4.5 miles one way but it is longer. From where I parked my car, ...

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 cair...

Patagonia Lake State Park is located about 70 miles southeast of Tucson on State Route 82, 7 miles south of Patagonia, Arizona. Coming from the north, the drive to Patagonia Lake State Park is very scenic; the road winds through rolling hills and countryside with the looming Santa Rita Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop. There is a $15 day use fee to enter the park (camping is an additio...

Drive through the gate of Saguaro National Park and continue straight onto Cactus Forest Drive. The 8 Mile loop takes you around to Javelina Rock parking area. Take time to enjoy this drive, it offers great views of the park and opportunities to spot coyotes and other wildlife.About 7 miles into your drive you will begin ascending along a hill. Just after the top, you will see the Javelina Rock...

Saguaro National Park is split into two different "districts" found east and west of Tucson. In the East-Rincon Mountain District you can find over 130 miles of hiking trails. However, for folks who don't have much time in the park, are with friends and family who aren't hikers, or are literally just driving through, the Cactus Forest Loop is the perfect activity. Note: The visitor's center is ...