Hike (or Walk) Your Way Through Marana, the Gateway to the Sonoran Desert
If you have a passion for hiking, meandering and discovering new places, you’ll love Marana. Outdoor adventures of all kinds are waiting for you. From scenic strolls to challenging climbs, and from wildlife sightings to historical landmarks, Marana has it all.
Explore Marana’s Trails
The Wild Burro Trail is a 6.8-mile loop trail that explores the natural beauty and history of the Tortolita Mountains. Along the way, you can see crested saguaros, ancient petroglyphs and picturesque remains of old homesteads. The trailhead is conveniently located near the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.
Nearby, you can experience our Tortolita Preserve with 2,400 acres of mostly flat, gently sloping desert. This area is thick with native Sonoran Desert vegetation and abundant saguaro cactuses. It is popular for walking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding and nature photography. The full loop around the preserve is about 9 miles. You can also do a short loop, which can be accessed by going counterclockwise on the main loop and turning south after approximately 4 miles. The short loop is 5.4 miles long.
If you have only a few hours to experience the desert, Sanctuary Cove is located in southern Marana and very close to Interstate 10. It’s another hidden gem with a meditation chapel, a labyrinth and even a guest cottage, plus some easy and relaxing walking trails with excellent views of the Tucson Mountains! This hike is also a great one for families with smaller children.
Find Saguaros and Solitude Near Marana
If you’re up for adventure, add Ironwood Forest National Monument to your Southern Arizona bucket list. This hidden gem near Marana is home to 129,000 acres of Sonoran Desert with a significant stand of ironwood trees, wildlife and iconic saguaros. With this much land, you’re sure to find the desert solitude you’ve been looking for!
Taking its name from one of the longest-living trees in the Arizona desert, Ironwood Forest National Monument is a true undeveloped Sonoran Desert showcase. Keeping company with the ironwood trees are mesquites, paloverdes, creosotes and, of course, thousands of saguaro cactuses.
The monument is also home to a spectacular 80-armed saguaro that towers over visitors. It's one photo op you won't want to miss, but keep in mind you’ll need at least a half-day and a high-clearance vehicle for this trip if you want to experience more than the magnificent saguaro. Be sure to plan ahead, as this adventure requires preparation, as well as a printout or screenshot of the map to find the saguaro.
If you’re looking for the Sonoran Desert experience with more creature comforts, Saguaro National Park West is a great day trip with easy access from Marana. The Red Hills Visitor Center is a perfect place to start, and it has daily programs to learn more about the park and its history. You can drive, hike, picnic and take pictures of the stunning vistas!
We think you’ll say you “hiked it and really liked it” in Marana, Arizona.
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