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Tucson Map: Sabino Canyon Recreation AreaSabino Canyon Recreation Area Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Hours Park daily dawn-dusk. Sabino Canyon tram rides daily 9am-4:30pm (July to mid-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4:30pm); Bear Canyon tram rides daily 9am-4:30pm
Address 5900 N. Sabino Canyon Rd
Transportation Take Grant Rd. east to Tanque Verde Rd., continuing east; at Sabino Canyon Rd., turn north and watch for the sign
Phone 520/749-8700, 520/749-2861 for shuttle information, or 520/749-2327 for moonlight shuttle reservations
Web site www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado
Prices Sabino Canyon tram ride $7.50 adults, $3 children 3-12; Bear Canyon tram ride $3 adults, $1 children 3-12
Other Parking $5 (also good for driving the Catalina Hwy.). www.sabinocanyon.com

Frommer's Review

Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains on the northeastern edge of the city, Sabino Canyon is a desert oasis and, with its impressive desert scenery, hiking trails, and stream, is a fabulous place to commune with the desert for a morning or an afternoon. The chance to splash in the canyon's waterfalls and swim in natural pools (water conditions permitting) attracts many visitors, but it is just as enjoyable simply to gaze at the beauty of crystal-clear water flowing through a rocky canyon guarded by saguaro cacti. There are numerous picnic tables in the canyon, and many miles of hiking trails wind their way into the mountains from here, making it one of the best places in the city for a day hike.

A narrated tram shuttles visitors up and down the lower canyon throughout the day, and between April and November (but not July or Aug), there are moonlight tram rides three times each month (usually the nights before the full moon). The Bear Canyon tram is used by hikers heading to the picturesque Seven Falls, which are at the end of a 2.5-mile trail and are my favorite destination within this recreation area.

Another good way to experience the park is by bicycling up the paved road during the limited hours when bikes are allowed: Sunday through Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday before 9am and after 5pm. This is a strenuous uphill ride for most of the way, but the scenery is beautiful.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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Frommer's Arizona 2008 Frommer's Arizona 2008

Author: Karl Samson
Pub Date: October 22, 2007
Price: $19.99

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Related Titles:
Arizona For Dummies, 4th Edition
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Frommer's Arizona 2009
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Home > Destinations > North America > USA > Arizona > Tucson > Attractions > Sabino Canyon Recreation Area