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Picacho, Arizona

Top Spots in and near Picacho

  • Campground Loop B, Arizona

    Camp at Picacho Peak State Park

    3.1 mi / 800 ft gain
    Drive about 30 minutes west on I-10 from Tucson, AZ to the Picacho Peak Rd. Exit and follow the signs south to the park entrance. The campgrounds are about a half mile inside the main gate to the right.You can either make a reservation at Pichacho Peak State Park or arrive the day of and pay. Eve...
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  • Picacho, Arizona

    Photograph the Wildflowers at Picacho Peak State Park

    4.0
    If Arizona is lucky enough to have a rainy winter, we will most certainly have a beautiful bloom come spring.  One of the best places to see the beautiful golden blooms is on a hike in Picacho Peak State Park. Blooming season typically begins in mid/late February.  Length depends on temperature –...
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  • Picacho, Arizona

    Hike Picacho Peak's Hunter Trail

    5.0
    4 mi / 1400 ft gain
    If you've ever done the drive on highway10 from Phoenix to Tucson, you've definitely noticed an intriguing looking mountain peak about an hour into the drive. It broadly rises from the earth and tapers off into a point at the top, appearing like an illustration straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. ...
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  • Coolidge, Arizona

    Explore Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

    4.0
    0.25 mi / 10 ft gain
    No one really knows why the people from the Sonoran Desert built this mud skyscraper. Some scientists believe it was built as a astronomical observatory. What ever the reason, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a engineering marvel that was built in the 1300's. People have been so puzzled...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike Signal Hill Trail

    0.6 mi / 46 ft gain
    A popular trail in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Signal Hill is a highlight of the park with a small summit to a boulder field with many petroglyphs and views for several miles.  The petroglyphs date to the 13th and 14th centuries and were created by the Hohokam people.  ...
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  • Queen Creek, Arizona

    Hike the Dynamite and Goldmine Loop

    5.0
    4.7 mi / 773 ft gain
    This trail is a moderately-rated hike. It is used for a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, running, and walking. To access the trail, it is important to note that there is a $7 cash parking fee, so be prepared! The beginning of the trail is the most challenging part as it ...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike the Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park

    5.0
    0.8 mi
    The Valley View Overlook Trail is located in the Tucson Mountain District (which west of Tucson) of Saguaro National Park. The access to this trail is about 3 miles north from the Red Hills Visitor Center.  From the visitor center travel 1.5 miles north on N. Kinney Road, then take a right on Hoh...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike the Hugh Norris Trail, Saguaro National Park

    4.0
    9.5 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Named for a Native American police chief, the Hugh Norris trail takes you from lush (by desert standards) Saguaro and cholla forests to the top of rugged Wasson Peak.  On top of the peak, you'll have sweeping views of the city of Tucson, as well as the surrounding mountain ranges.  Depending on y...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Summit Wasson Peak

    5.0
    7.4 mi
    This hike starts at the King Canyon Trailhead. You'll follow the King Canyon Trail along the wash then down into the wash near the picnic area. You won't be in the wash for long before the trail will turn off to the right out of the wash. This trail is very well signed. You'll continue along King...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Mountain Bike the Desperado Loop

    3.6 mi / 231 ft gain
    The Desperado Loop in the Sweetwater Preserve is a great introductory mountain biking loop that is perfect for beginners, yet the Loop can also be tied into the larger Sweetwater Trail System for more advanced riders. Beginning from the parking lot, the Desperado Trail loop quickly rises to a rid...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike the Brown Mountain Trail

    4.0
    4.2 mi / 500 ft gain
    I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend doing the hike as an out and back from the Kinney Road parking area. Also, the best time to hike is just before sunset. The hike is just over 4 miles total out and back with only about 500 feet of elevation gain. It has a climb at the beginning then rolls a...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Canyon Loop Trail in Catalina State Park

    2.26 mi / 180 ft gain
    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. ...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Romero Pools via Romero Canyon

    4.8
    5.52 mi / 1155 ft gain
    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 relati...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Catch The Sunset on Gates Pass

    4.0
    Get on E Speedway Blvd, and follow it West until it turns into W Gates Pass rd. Follow this for 3 miles and the parking lot will be at the top of the pass. There are a few viewing platforms that offer shade from the desert heat. There are numerous trails that you can follow to get whatever view y...
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  • Superior, Arizona

    Hike Picketpost Mountain

    4.7
    4.4 mi / 2200 ft gain
    From the parking lot you will start out on the Arizona Trail until you reach the turn off to begin your accent up the mountain.  This part of the trail isn't well maintained, and is a scramble, so be ready to use those hands.  The trail is marked with cairns though and there is enough traffic tha...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike to the Bowen Stone House via Bowen Trail

    2.4 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Tucson Mountains are home to Saguaro National Park and the Tucson Mountain Park, the latter of which is a massive 20,000 acre park that is home to huge forests of giant saguaro cacti, a wide diversity of desert wildlife, and several long-abandoned farms and ranches like the Bowen Homestead, c...
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Top Activities

Camping and Lodging in Picacho

Picacho / Tucson NW KOA Journey
Picacho, Arizona

Picacho / Tucson NW KOA Journey

Under Canvas Grand Canyon
Marana, Arizona

Under Canvas Grand Canyon

From $189 / night

Peppersauce
Oracle, Arizona

Peppersauce

Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey
Apache Junction, Arizona

Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1
Tucson, Arizona

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2
Tucson, Arizona

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2

Guides, Insights and Stories from Picacho

Adventure Awaits on These 5 Day Trips from Tucson

Adventure Awaits on These 5 Day Trips from Tucson

Sara Sheehy

Desert Adventures: 72 Hours in Tucson, Arizona

Desert Adventures: 72 Hours in Tucson, Arizona

Sara Sheehy

5 Under the Radar Adventures in Tucson

5 Under the Radar Adventures in Tucson

Sara Sheehy

A Weekend in Tucson: Adventure by Day, Magic by Night

A Weekend in Tucson: Adventure by Day, Magic by Night

Sara Sheehy