Hike Your Way Through Marana, the Gateway to the Sonoran Desert

If you have a passion for hiking and discovering new places, you’ll love Marana. Outdoor adventures of all kinds are waiting for you. From scenic strolls to challenging climbs, from wildlife sightings to historical landmarks, Marana has it all.

Wild Burro Trail & Tortolita Mountain Trail System

The Wild Burro Trail is a 6.8-mile out-and-back trail that explores the natural beauty and history of the Tortolita Mountains. Along the way, you can see crested saguaros, ancient petroglyphs, and picturesque ruins of old homesteads.

In all, the Tortolita Mountains have 29 miles of trails with elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,300 feet. You can pick up a trail map at the Marana Visitor Information Center (13251 N. Lon Adams Rd.) or download one.

Click Here to Download a Tortolita Mountain Trail Guide

Ironwood Forest National Monument

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 mesquite, palo verde, creosote, and, of course, thousands of saguaro cacti.

CreditDeirdre Rosenberg

Saguaro National Park West

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!

Sanctuary Cove

If you have just a few hours to get your desert fix in, 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!

CreditElsa Jacklitch

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

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Saguaro National Park

We are lucky to have one of the nation’s most treasured parks, Saguaro National Park, right in our backyard. Saguaro National Park consists of two distinctly different parks, located within two different mountain ranges that are on opposite sides of Tucson, Arizona. Marana is closest to Saguaro National Park West and the eastern side of the park is located just one hour away by car.

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Ironwood Forest National Monument

Taking its name from one of the longest living trees in the Arizona desert, the Ironwood Forest National Monument is a true Sonoran Desert showcase. Keeping company with the ironwood trees are mesquite, paloverde, creosote, and saguaro. The Silver Bell, Waterman and Sawtooth are rugged mountain ranges, from 1,800 to more than 4,200 feet in elevation. Desert valleys filled with diverse wildlife, such as pronghorn and mule deer, complete the setting.

Learn More