24 Desert Adventures in Marana and Saguaro National Park

Just how many things can we think of that start with the letter "S"? You'd be surprised how long our list got!

This list started with a simple idea: September in Marana just feels magical. It’s the golden light. The stillness. The sunsets. The saguaros. The subtle shift in the air that hints at cooler days ahead.

As we started jotting down everything we love about this time of year, we realized something fun — nearly all of it started with the letter S. From sunsets and stargazing to Sonoran trails and Saguaro National Park, these moments aren’t just for one season.

In fact, in Marana, you can enjoy that September feeling all year long. Here are 24 S-inspired things to do in and around Marana that capture the spirit of the desert — timeless, peaceful, and full of beauty.

Sonoran Hot Dogs

They originated in Hermosillo, but they have since become the signature street food of Southern Arizona! Find out what exactly a Sonoran Hot Dog is and where the best places to get them in Marana are!

Sunsets, Sunrises, and Sunrays

Perhaps the thing Arizona is most famous for—or at least it’s up in the top 3! Every morning and evening, we’re treated to a striking display of fire in the sky. It’s something everyone loves about being here! We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves!

Saguaros and Saguaro National Park

Okay, so THIS is the one Arizona is most famous for! These majestic cacti are only found in southwestern Arizona and parts of Mexico, but are found in the greatest concentration in Southern Arizona! Saguaro National Park preserves and protects some of the densest areas of these iconic cacti, plus hiking trails and striking desert vistas!

Sky Rider Café

Sky Rider Café is located near the Marana Regional Airport, as is known for its great food (especially during breakfast), friendly service, value for your money, and views of the planes landing and taking off! It’s also a great place to stop for a bite on your way to Saguaro National Park or Ironwood Forest National Monument!

Sandwiches

Marana is home to several great locally-owned sandwich shops! Baggin's, Frankie’s Cheesesteaks, Serial Grillers and Bisbee Breakfast Club are some of our favorites!

Sky Islands

Sky Islands are high mountain peaks that offer a cooler, greener environment so different from the desert below it’s as if they were islands in the sea. Sky Islands are an excellent escape from the heat during the summer months, and during the winter, you can see snow on the mountain tops, and even go skiing on Mt. Lemmon!

Standout

We recognize our STANDOUT local restaurants with the Taste of Marana STANDOUT award. Click here to find out more about our winners and how you can nominate your favorite.

Sale

From September through May, the Marana area is home to several outdoor markets! Check out the Second Sunday Vintage Market, the Dove Mountain Resale Market, and the Foothills Community Market!

Stars

We have some vast, expansive spaces free of light pollution that are great to observe the night sky, but for this one, we meant stars of a different kind – the double Five-Star resort right in our back yard! The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain’s panoramic views, secluded location, great food, and unbeatable service are sure to give you the ultimate luxurious experience.

Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus

Turns out, the saguaro isn’t the only unique plant species native to Southern Arizona! The Santa Rita Prickly Pear (which is native to Pima County) sets itself apart from other cacti with its purple and blue-gray pads, and bright yellow flowers. The flowers bloom in April, and can remain through June in some years.

Storms

Monsoon season is one of everyone’s favorite times of year here in Southern Arizona! It brings much-needed moisture and relief from the summer heat. Throughout July, August, and part of September, you can see spectacular cloud formations, lightning storms, rainbows, and rain curtains, plus cooler-than-usual sunsets and verdant vegetation brought out by the rains!

Learn more about our monsoon STORMS with local Meteorologist Erin Christiansen.

Spotted

Our desert is teeming with biodiversity, and throughout the year, citizens of Marana and Parks & Recreation workers spot all sorts of mammalian, reptilian, and avian (bird) wildlife! Marana is an especially popular place for birding! Check out this coyote and this ruddy duck!

Stallions

The White Stallion Ranch blends the personal touch and hospitality of a luxury experience, with the true Western Experience and setting of a traditional dude ranch. The backdrop of the rugged Tucson Mountains, the secluded setting, and authentic cowboy experience keeps visitors from all around the world coming back time and time again!

Sodalicious

Sodalicious is a Utah-based chain that just opened their first location in the Tucson area right here in Marana! They combine the retro look and feel of an old-time soda fountain, with the curiosity of a restaurant’s secret drink menu! All of their drinks are creatively-made and creatively-named! For even more sugar (that’s worth it), try their fresh-baked cookies!

Spicy

Spice Garden, located at Cortaro & I-10, was named the Best Indian Food in Tucson by Tucson Foodie! They serve up a blend on North and South Indian cuisine, and use herbs in spices in a unique and creative way!

Show

All through the year (except during the summer months of June, July, and August), you can enjoy a free concert by a local band every third Thursday of the month at Concerts in the Courtyard! The concerts feature a variety of local bands, a different theme and community engagement activity, and some food trucks, all in the beautiful setting of the Marana Municipal Complex in Downtown Marana!

Check out our event calendar for the latest info!

Steep Trails

Marana has several places to hike and immerse yourselves in the outdoors, for all skill levels, but for those looking for a challenge, four trails in the Marana area stand out above the rest!

  • Alamo Springs Trail, Wild Burro Trail System in the Tortolita Mountains
  • Hunter Trail, Picacho Peak State Park (the trail that takes you to the summit)
  • Sombrero Peak, Saguaro National Park West (hike part of the “M” for Marana)
  • Romero Pools Trail, Catalina State Park (hike up the granite formations to a series of year-round pools)
The trailhead for the hike up Picacho Peak.

(The) Screamery

The Screamery is a Tucson-area original, serving up great pasteurized ice cream, made with premium milk and cream, and without any hormones, preservatives, or artificial colors or flavors! Pick some up at their location at Cortaro & I-10 in the Arizona Pavilions Shopping Center.

Santa Cruz River

The north-flowing river that runs along Marana’s western edge has supported human civilization for 4,000 years, and the lush, riparian habitat that once surrounded it supported incredible biodiversity. Although dry now, efforts by various organizations in Southern Arizona (including the Town of Marana) have restored water flow to parts of it, and the riparian habitat is showing signs of redevelopment! As a result, you can observe almost 250 different species of birds along the river!

Spirals

The ancient peoples who have called what is now Marana home for thousands of years left lasting marks of their presence here! You can find these petroglyphs in a variety of places in and around Marana. The Picture Rocks petroglyph site, located in southwestern Marana, contains a spiral petroglyph that was designed to interact with the sun during every solstice and equinox, with the light forming a “light dagger” through the center of the spiral! Petroglyphs can also be found at Los Morteros, the Wild Burro Trail System, and Saguaro National Park West.

(Pumpkin) Spice

Marana’s own Crema Coffee had their Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Black Tea featured in an article by Tucson Foodie, highlighting some of the best places to get fall-themed drinks in the Tucson area! This little, family-owned coffee shop is a hidden gem that’s a great place to start off your morning all year long.

Suds

Marana is home to TWO local microbreweries! Button Brew House and Catalina Brewing Company both make an excellent variety of craft beers, infusing the ingredients, culture, and vibe of the Sonoran Desert into their brews. Both breweries are also cool places to hang out, with friendly regulars, live music, food trucks, and more! Marana is also home to several other taphouses and bars, with complete selections of beers from all around Southern Arizona!

Solid

Did you know that Marana has a rock climbing gym? It’s true – Rock Solid Climbing + Fitness is home to over 12,000 square feet of air-conditioned climbing space with a variety of bouldering walls that are reconfigured regularly! In late September, they host the Old Pueblo Bouldering Classic, where you can watch some of Southern Arizona’s best climbers compete for a cash prize, and enjoy an outdoor expo with climbing-related vendors, inflatables, games, and food trucks!

Scares

And finally, to end September and to get in the mindset of October’s Spooky Season, we highlighted the two terrifying haunted attractions in the Marana area! There’s Terror in the Corn, the Tucson area's scariest attraction, with a variety of immersive haunts connected by a terrifying cornfield! Or, head to Old Tucson for Nightfall, a frightful experience filled with comedy, drama, and mystery that embraces the history of Old Tucson.

Ready to experience the magic for yourself? Start planning your trip to Marana — your year-round Sonoran Desert escape. Check out our guide to get the latest information on Marana!

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