Sweetwater Preserve, Tucson, AZ
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Sweetwater Preserve is one of the best hiking spots in Tucson. If you’ve not yet been hiking or biking this beautiful collection of trails on 880+ acres on the east side of the Tucson Mountains, you’re missing out!
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Here's 10 things to know before you visit:
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1. It's located at 4001 N Tortolita Road, Tucson, Arizona 85745, west of I-10 off W El Camino del Cerro and east of the Tucson Mountains.
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2. It’s honestly the perfect spot for beginners or experienced hikers. You don’t have to hike very far to get a beautiful view, especially if you hike down the Saguaro Vista Trail where you’ll see some of the tallest saguaros in Tucson!
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3. The map at the trailhead and each trail intersection is easy to read. There are 15 miles of trails here and they all intersect multiple times so you can choose a short or longer loop depending on the kind of adventure you’re looking for. Most trails intersect every 0.5-1 mile.
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4. This is a very popular area for mountain biking, trail running and horseback riding, so if you do go make sure you’re aware of others on the trail. Remember trail etiquette: everyone yields to horses, bikers yield to hikers (although I usually step aside for someone on a bike despite trail etiquette).
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5. Dogs are welcome in Sweetwater Preserve as long as they’re on a leash!
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6. Wildflowers can be found along the trails starting mid February depending on the winter rains. See if you can find Mexican Gold Poppies, Lupines, Larkspur, Bluedicks, Mariposa Lilies, and more!
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7. Parking is free! I recommend getting there early because this is a busy trailhead. If the parking lot is full there is additional parking along the road.
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8. Sweetwater Preserve was created to conserve the desert of the Tucson Mountains that was quickly becoming developed. The community voted to use money from the 2004 Open Space Bond to purchase the land and to set it aside for habitat restoration and recreation.
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9. There is NO shade on this trail. Come prepared with a hat, sunscreen and lots of water.
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10. Don't forget to practice Leave No Trace!
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If you'd like more information check out this Virtual Tour from Pima County.
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