Mountain Bike Trails in Tucson, Arizona

There are many mountain bike trails in Tucson, Arizona, because the weather is so nice here mostly all year round. Even during our monsoon (rainy) season it usually starts to rain in the late afternoon so you can usually enjoy a morning ride. It's not uncommon for it to be raining one minute here in Tucson and then have the sun shining the next minute. The most popular mountain biking trails are listed below. As you enjoy riding and getting exercise, you can also enjoy the beautiful Arizona scenery.

Rillito River Park Trail runs from Craycroft Road to a little west of I-10 and it should take a rider 1 to 1 ½ hours to bike the whole trail. It's an easy mountain biking trail. There's 2 trails along the river but cyclists are only allowed to use one of them and then at one point the route switches to the other trail. Except for a sandy dip under I-10 most of the trails are paved. The trail has several parks, water stations, restrooms and beautifully gardened areas. This trail runs through very quiet and isolated areas. Some of it looks like a small street with trees on both sides. It's really beautiful. This trail is open from dawn to dusk.

Not far from the Rillito Trail above is the Santa Cruz River Park Trail which runs a little south of Grant Road to Christopher Columbus Park - Silverbell Lake. It should take about 1 to 1 ½ hours to bike this whole trail. There's two trails for cyclists, one on each side of the Santa Cruz River. This trail is mostly paved except for a very sandy, difficult area near Camino del Cerro. There's some detours on this trail and some bike-carrying areas also. This trail is open from dawn to dusk.

Starr Pass Trail/Tucson Mountain Park is west of Tucson about 30 minutes driving time from the city of Tucson. If you're familiar with Old Tucson Studios, where they used to film old western movies and western television shows, this park is near there. The park has parking lots and a picnic area. This park has many mountain biking trails - about 20, ranging from easy to difficult, including David Yetman Trail. The longest trail is approximately 8 and 1/2 miles long and should take about 1-2 hours to ride. It is a loop trail with a single track. You'll be riding up an elevation of almost 700 feet. The scenery for this trail includes beautiful Gates Pass and Golden Gate Mountain and Cat Mountain. At all locations the view is beautiful. The top elevation is almost 3,000 feet. This trail has several washes through it which means sandy areas and walking your mountain bike. I don't recommend this trail for beginners and there's also a lot of cacti along the route which is a pain for tires. There's easy access to roads in several areas if needed. The park is free and open from 7:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M.

9 Mile Trail is at the end of Moore Road near Dove Mountain. The trail is a single loop trail which is almost 10 miles long. The trail starts going uphill and then once you reach the top it's downhill. Most of it is paved with little dirt and some rocky areas across washes. Skill level is advanced for this trail. Some areas are quite steep. Expect cactus in the area and the views are beautiful.

Fantasy Island Trail is east at the south side of Irvington Road. There's many single looped trails there and the skill levels are from easy to difficult. Fantasy Island Trail is 6 miles long and there are other trails that will have you riding 2-24 miles. Some areas are steep but basically the trails are very well maintained and flat. Supposedly it's a lot of fun to ride these trails.

Mount Lemmon Trails are for experienced riders. Driving up to Mount Lemmon takes about 20 minutes from the far east side of Tucson. This one's a real challenge. Several trails, both single and double, start up there and the main trail, which is a loop trail, is over17 miles long. Some trails will leave you down at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The reason I say these trails are for experienced riders is because you'll be riding back up an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet. The trails are a mixture of concrete and dirt. It should take about 5-6 hours to ride the whole trail so it is advisable to make sure you are done with your ride by dusk. Skill level is definitely very difficult. While your up at Mount Lemmon also enjoy the other attractions up there, such as the little shops and restaurants.

Reddington Pass Trail is on Tucson's far east side, off of Reddington Road, which is all the way at the end of Tanque Verde Road at the base of the Rincon Mountains. This trail is quite long and most of it is easy except for one difficult area. There are also other trails in this area such as: Tequila Tank Trail which is a single track trail that has you ending where you started. It should take 2-3 hours to ride the whole 5 miles. Skill level is difficult because some of it is steep; Chiva Falls Trail is also here and should take 1-2 hours to bike the full length of the trail. It's a loop trail that is almost 8 miles long. You'll be riding an elevation of approximately 1,000 feet. The top elevation is almost 4,00 feet. This trail level is from easy to difficult; and High Chiva Loop Trail is also here which is a little over 12 miles long and it should take 2-3 hours to ride this whole trail. Most of this trail is single track with a small part of it a double track. Some of it is steep and this is considered a challenging trail. It consists of patches of sand and rocks. Skill level is definitely difficult. There are also several shorter single and double trails nearby. All of the trails consist of some concrete, dirt and rocks. Whatever trail you choose to take here, the scenery is beautiful.

The Tortolitas/Catalina State Park Trail is near Catalina and it should take about 1 and ½ hours to ride the whole trail. The trail is about 8 and ½ miles long. You'll be riding up about 850 feet and top elevation is approximately 4,000 feet. Skill level is easy to moderate. Some private property runs through this trail so be careful not to trespass where you're not wanted. The scenery of different mountains is beautiful and there's plenty to explore on this trail. It's a two lane trail and the same place you started is where you will end.

Below are trails in state parks which charge an entrance fee.

50 Year Trail runs from Catalina State Park to the Golder Ranch area and it should take 1-2 hours to bike the full length of the trail and total distance is about 10 miles. It is near Oro Valley and runs parallel to N. Oracle Road. The fee into Catalina State Park is $3.00 a day for cyclists and $7.00 a day for cars carrying 1-4 adults. There's one main trail and several others, including Golder Trail and the levels are from easy to difficult. Half of the trails are single track and the other half are double track. The difficult part of the 50 year Trail consists of many climbs and drops and hard dirt and rocky areas. You'll be riding an elevation gain of about 300 feet. This trail is very scenic mid the desert and you'll often see a cow from Golder Ranch also. If you're a bird lover this is the trail to take, as more than 100 species frequent this area. Supposedly this trail is considered to be fun. As you ride along this 50 Year Trail you will pass other smaller trails along the way.

Sabino Canyon Trail is within Sabino Canyon which is located at 5900 N. Sabino Canyon Road. The 4 mile trail is more like a road and cyclists are only allowed to ride there during certain hours. This is a well paved flat road and is great for beginners who would also like to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Canyon area in the Coronado National Forest at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The scenery includes waterfalls, Seven Falls, Sabino Dam, Sabino Creek and a lot more. During our monsoons season there's plenty of water running down from the mountains. There's restrooms, water, drink machines and snack machines at the entrance. Sabino Canyon is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. from July through mid-December and Monday-Sunday from 9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. from mid-December to June. The fee is $8.00 per adult. You can call the visitor's center to find out the times they allow cyclists to use the trail. Their telephone number is: 520-749-2861.

Saguaro National Park East Trail is located on Tucson's east side, off of E. Old Spanish Trail Road. The fee for riders is $5.00, or free with a National Park entry Pass. There's plenty of parking and water at the park's entrance. Inside the park there's a paved loop trail and many other trails. Most of them are single track with a small portion of it dirt road. Your ride should take 1-2 hours and the distance is 7 miles. These trails are great for beginners because the terrain is flat and the main trail is straight. Enjoy the beautiful scenery here too.

Whichever trail you choose don't be surprised if you see many desert animals and reptiles such as coyotes, deer, javelinas, bobcats, gila monsters, rattlesnakes and mountain lions. Always take the proper precautions when one is in sight. With rattlesnakes, desert rule is, "Never put your hands and feet where your eyes can't see." If you ride during our hot months always apply plenty of sunscreen on yourself and make sure you have enough water with you, or at least a few water bottles to refill. I don't need to tell fellow Tucsonans that the desert gets very hot. If you're not hydrated enough, you can become very sick. And since this is the desert, also be prepared to encounter lots of cacti which can be a nuisance for your tires.

Safe biking, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.