There is an abundance of parks in Tucson to keep everyone engaged and inspired regardless of the season. A winter park certainly doesn’t have to be dull and dreary either, and a visit to one may well offer a few pleasant surprises.
So what are you looking for in a park? A place for your dogs to run and play, a place to celebrate your child’s birthday party or a place to go jogging? Whatever it is, we’re going to look at some of the top 10 best parks in Tucson.
Quick Links
Catalina State Park
Any nature lover will thrill at this park, beautifully positioned at the foot of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. The Catalina State Park has 5,500 acres of beautiful countryside, great for camping, hiking, and bird watching. Splendid for families and offers excellent hiking, biking, and horse trails.
- Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737, United States
- Opening hours: Open every day from 5 am to 10 pm
- Contact Number: +1 520 628 5798
The Reid Park Zoo
The Reid Park Zoo is such a family-friendly park that sprawls over 24 acres and is found in the Reid Park in Tucson. It’s small enough not to wear out the kids, and there are lots of cool, shady spots to sit. There’s also a snack bar to keep your energy as well as camel rides.
- Address: 1100 S. Randolph Way, Tucson
- Opening hours: Sept.–May, daily 9–4; June–Aug., daily 8–3
- Contact Number:520-791–4022
Christopher Colombus Park
A favorite day out with the kids, and particularly Silverbell Lake, inside the Christopher Columbus Park, is where you can spend a peaceful day fishing, boating, and feeding the ducks.
You must have a fishing license for Christopher Colombus Park. There is also a model-boat pond, a playground and a dog park with splendid views of the mountains.
- Address: 4600 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745,
- Opening hours: Every day of the week – 6 am to 10.30 pm
- Contact Number: +1 520 791 4873
Gene C, Reid Park
This is Tucson’s most centrally located park. The lake, pond, and waterfall with shady trees invite visitors to spread a blanket and just relax in nature or picnic. Great for families, the 131 acres Gene C, Reid Park is also home to the famous Reid Park Zoo, miniature train, walking paths, rose gardens, and an outdoor performance center.
- Address: 900 S Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ 85716
- Opening hours: 6 am to 10.30 pm every day
- Contact number: +1 520 791 4873
Tucson Botanical Gardens
To escape the city vibes, be soothed in the tranquil, beautifully kept Tucson Botanical Gardens. It’s amazing to find a lush green oasis in the heart of this desert city. Well worth a visit, the cactus and succulent garden are always a popular sight, not to mention the herb garden.
Butterfly lovers will certainly be attracted to the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion, which is open from October 1st – May 31st. Lots of seasonal events and activities in the gardens.
- Address: 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
- Opening hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm every day
- Contact number: +1 520 326 9686
Tucson Mountain Park
What an exciting place Tucson Mountain Park is for adults and kids alike. Of course, it’s an enormous place in the Saguaro National Park West. It has everything to ensure fun-filled hours, from hiking to climbing, bike riding, camping, picnic areas to visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
- Address: 8451 W McCain Loop, Tucson, AZ 85735
- Opening hours: 5:00am to 8:00pm in summer and 5:00am to 6:00pm in winter.
- Contact number:+1 520-349-9090
Rillito River Park
If you’re keen to get fit, you’ll love Rillito River Park as its got great paths to walk as well as paved paths for cyclists. Rillito is a wonderful wild area to come to with your kids, dogs, and horses.
There are miles of paths along the river and water stops along the way, not to mention the splendid mountain views. It’s an awesome place to escape busy city life, and there are plenty of places to sit and relax too.
- Address: Tucson, AZ 85712
- Opening hours: 6 am to 10 pm every day
- Contact Number: +1 520 724 5000
Sabino Canyon
Stunning natural beauty is promised you at Sabino Canyon with its running creek water to swim in and views of the Santa Catalina mountain range.
Hikers appreciate some serious hiking, with one of the more popular hiking trails being the 10 miles Seven Falls trail. There is also a tram ride for anyone who wants to see the canyon but can’t or doesn’t want to walk.
- Address: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
- Opening hours: Always open
- Contact number: +1 520 749 8700
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is famous for its huge cacti, which is a protected plant. It’s an awesome place to visit to experience true Sonoran desert landscapes. The magnificent park is made up of the Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District, offering visitors scenic desert scrub and grasslands. You can walk or bike in the park.
- Address: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730-5601
- Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm every day
- Contact number: +1 520 733 5153
Tohono Chul Park
Once people discover Tucson’s lovely Tohono Chul Park, they want to return. It’s a super botanical garden and outdoor education center, and there is also a tea room serving fabulous meals. Those who have visited the park describe it as an oasis in the desert, and it’s why people even use it as a special events venue.
It is found inside a wildlife sanctuary, and visitors just love the flowering desert gardens, the cobblestone courtyard, and the wonderful light meals.
- Address: 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
- Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm every day
- Contact number: +1 520 742 6455
Final Thoughts
There are so many wonderful parks in Tucson, and you get exactly what you’re searching for, from small, romantic parks to huge family-friendly parks. They are all superb for outdoor activities over the weekends and for enjoying a chilled picnic with family and friends.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Hotels in Tucson
- Best Museums in Tucson
- Best Caves in Tucson
- Best Tattoo Shops in Tucson
- Best Motels in Tucson
- Best Hikes in Tucson
- Things to do in Tucson with Kids
- Best Neighborhoods in Tucson
Amar was born and raised in England and embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. The first gap year inspired a second, which ended up being a 23-country down-the-world trip from Canada to Antarctica. Since then, Amar has spent the last 14 years traveling the 7 continents.