Nature and Parks

The Tucson area offers visitors beautiful and unique natural areas and parks, including beautiful desert parks, trails, gardens, a world-renowned zoo, a natural history museum and more. Find a great selection of Tucson furnished extended stay rentals  and short term housing with Interim Suites.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden all in one place! Experience the interpretive displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert region.

Hours: October – February 8:30am - 5pm; March – September 7:30am to 5 pm.

2021 N Kinney Rd., In the Tucson Mountains
(520) 883-2702 | www.desertmuseum.org

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Beautiful desert park, on the National Historic Resister, showcasing crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. Cave tours, museum, picnicking and Western trail rides.

Hours: Summer, March 16 - September 15, Monday-Saturday: 8am - 6pm Sunday/Holidays 8am to 7pm.

Old Spanish Trail, 16 miles Southeast of Tucson
(520) 647- 7275 | www.colossalcave.com

International Wildlife Museum

A world-class natural history museum featuring over 400 different species of birds, mammals and insects from around the world, housed in a French Foreign Legion fortress. Interactive hands-on exhibits, movies, restaurant and gift shop.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday-Sunday 9am - 6pm.

On Speedway, 5 miles West of I-10
(520) 617-1439 www.thewildlifemuseum.org

Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley

30 miles from Tucson and 30 degrees cooler, this Sky Island boasts majestic pine, fir and aspen forests. At 9,154 feet, the sky ride offers panoramic views of forest, rocky cliffs, dessert floor and distant mountain ranges.

Hours: Friday-Monday, Days and Hours vary with the season.

30 miles Northeast of Tucson on Catalina Hwy.
Call in advance. (520) 576-1400

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

This site contains the first two miles of Sonoita Creek permanent flow and protects a magnificent riparian forest of rare plants, bird species, and native fish.

Hours: April - September Wednesday-Sunday 6:30am - 4pm, October - March Wednesday-Sunday 7:30am - 4 pm

60 miles Southeast of Tucson near the town of Patagonia on Hwy. 82
(520) 394-2400 | www.nature.org

Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Pima County offers natural resource parks, as well as neighborhood parks and recreational centers. Park highlights include the Tucson Mountain Park and Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Regional Park.

3500 W. River Rd.
(520) 577-6000 | www.co.pima.az.us/pksrec

Ramsey Canyon Preserve

The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve is renowned for its plant and animal diversity, including 14 species of humming birds, spring –fed stream and mile-high elevation.

Hours: March – October 8am - 5pm, November - February 9am - 4pm.

90 miles southeast of Tucson near the town of Sierra Vista on Hwy. 92
(520) 378-2785 | www.ramseycanyoninn.com

Reid Park Zoo

Travel from South American rain forests to African grasslands in one day. Reid Park zoo houses over 500 exotic animals in naturalistic habitats.

Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00am - 4pm, closed Christmas.

22nd to Randolph Way, between Country Club and Alvernon.
(520) 791-4022 | www.tucsonzoo.org

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Feb by the waters of Sabino Creek and sheltered by the canyon walls, the plants and animals that inhabit the canyon off an interesting contrast to those found in the surrounding desert. Educational Tram rides at an additional cost are available on the hour.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Saturday and Sunday 8:30 - 4:30. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.
(520) 749-8700 | www.sabinocanyon.com

Tohono Chul Park

Enjoy the serenity of trails and gardens, three galleries, tea room and shopping in the museum shops and greenhouse. Docent-led tours included with admissions. Call for times.

Hours Daily: Trails & Tea Room 8am - 5pm, Exhibits & Shops 9am - 5pm.

7366 N. Paseo del Norte. One stop light West of Oracle Rd. on Ina Rd.
(520) 742-6455 www.tohonochulpark.org

Tucson Botanical Gardens

An urban oasis in the heart of Tucson. Tour 16 different gardens all in residential scale. Over 5,400 plants - a nature haven for birds and butterflies. Enjoy the architecture of a historic home. Elegant garden gift shop. Tours. Free on-site parking.

Hours Daily: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Closed New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

2150 N. Alvernon Way. On the East side of Alvernon Rd. just South of the intersection at Grant and Alvernon.
(520) 326-9686 | www.tucsonbotanical.org

Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park offers superb hiking trails through canyons and streams, camping under desert skies, picnicking, and bird watching.

Hours: Park 5am - 10pm, Visitors Center 8am - 5pm.

11570 N. Oracle Rd.
(520) 628-5798 | www.azstateparks.com

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Visitors experience on underground delight at Kartchner Caverns State Park. Choose from two different cave tours. Explore the visitor’s center an exhibits. Gift shop and outdoor hiking trails.

Hours Daily: 7:30am-6 pm. Closed Christmas day.

Exit 302 from I-10, 9 miles south on HW 90. Call for reservations and ticket.
(520) 586-2283 | www.azstateparks.com

Oracle State Park

Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre park containing various native plant communities, interesting geologic formations, hiking trails, and guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House.

Hours Daily: 7am - 5pm. Guided Tours of the Ranch house Saturday, Sunday and holidays. 10am & 2pm.

3820 Wildlife Dr, Oracle
(520) 896-2425 | www.azstateparks.com

Picacho Peak State Park

Visitors traveling along I-10 won’t miss Picacho Peak, as the prominent, saddle shaped 1,500 ft formation that defines the skyline. Trails wind up the peak, and in the spring, may over-look a sea of wildflowers.

Hours Daily: 8am - 10pm

Exit 219 off I-10
(520) 466-3183 | www.azstateparks.com

Roper Lake State Park

Relax, swim and fish at Roper Lake State Park. Visitors can enjoy a dip in the rock-lined hot tub before sleeping along the lakeshore and beneath the desert night stars.

Hours Daily: 6am - 10pm.

130 miles Northeast of Tucson on I-10 to HW 191
(928) 428-6760 | www.azstateparks.com

Saguaro National Park (East & West)

Skirting the east and west boundaries of Tucson, these two national parks are home to the most recognizable cactus in the world – the saguaro, which is only grown here in the Southwest.

Rincon Mountain District in the East. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail | (520) 733-5153
Tucson Mountain District in the West 2700 N. Kinney Rd. | (520) 733-5158 | www.nps.gov/sagu