See Tangerine Skies in Marana, Arizona

It isn’t just a play on the name of a street in north Marana – it’s reality!

Sunsets are one of the things that Arizona is most well-known for, and Marana is no exception. As night falls, the western sky turns a brilliant orange color, with the silhouettes of the mountains and saguaro cacti in the foreground. Don’t forget to pack a camera to capture some of these striking sunsets!

Pro tip: ask a local where their favorite spot is. Everyone here seems to have one.

Here are some of our top places to watch the sunset (scroll down for a map!)

The Highlands at Dove Mountain

This top-rated, championship-level golf course is known for its striking mountain and desert vistas, which can also be enjoyed from its clubhouse.

The clubhouse is home to The Highlands Bar & Grille, which is open to the public and features both indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoy a meal while taking in the sunset glow and vistas of the Tortolita, Catalina, and Tucson Mountain ranges. You’ll also be able to see the Santa Ritas, Rincons, and Silverbells off in the distance.

Click here to learn more about golf in Marana!

CreditThe Highlands at Dove Mountain

Topgolf Rooftop Terrace

Topgolf’s Rooftop Terrace offers great views of the Tucson Mountains to the west. Take in the tangerine glow of the sunset while enjoying delicious food, drinks, and time with friends. Come and play golf or just take in the views and hang out.

CreditTopgolf

Continental Ranch Area

This neighborhood in Southern Marana backs right up to the Tucson Mountains, providing the perfect place to capture the sunset with rugged mountain silhouettes in the foreground.

There are several bars and restaurants in the area with west-facing patios where you can enjoy a meal and drink at sunset, or head to the end of Scenic Drive, for a view of the M-shaped formation that is Sombrero and Panther Peaks.

The Continental Ranch neighborhood spans a fairly large area, between Cortaro Road and Twin Peaks Road on the south and north, respectively, and Interstate 10 and the Tucson Mountains on the east and west, respectively. To get to the Continental Ranch neighborhood, most people either take the Twin Peaks Road or Cortaro Road exit, and continue on to Silverbell Road.

PicturedThe sunset as viewed from Li'l Abner's Steakhouse in the Continental Ranch neighborhood
CreditDeirdre Rosenberg

Sanctuary Cove

A quiet, peaceful place that is perfect to meditate and stroll through the desert, is in the same area and is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. It’s another great place to capture sunset photos and tag Discover Marana!

PicturedSunset at Sanctuary Cove with a view of Safford Peak in Marana, Arizona
CreditSanctuary Cove

Tortolita Mountains

If you’re looking for vistas not only of the Tucson Mountains, but the many mountain ranges stretching endlessly to the west, look no further than the Tortolita Mountains.

There are many excellent places to watch the sunset in this range, but one of the top ones is from the summit of the Upper Javelina Trail. It’s a short hike (about 1.25 miles) up a hill, starting near The Golf Club at Dove Mountain. From the top (and all the way up), you can enjoy 360-degree views of the desert landscape at sunset – from the orange glow to the west, to the pink glow that the Catalina Mountains to the east take on every evening.

Check out our guide to Hiking in the Tortolita Mountains for more about the Upper Javelina Trail and other options the range offers, and download a copy of our detailed Tortolita Mountain Trail Guide.

CreditRyan Wissmann

Saguaro National Park West

If you’re looking for that iconic Arizona photo of a sunset with silhouettes of saguaro cacti in the foreground, Saguaro National Park West is your place. The park’s location on the western slopes of the Tucson Mountains provides an environment for the largest concentration of saguaro cacti anywhere in the country.

Roads with pull-outs, and flat trails with expansive west-facing views provide a perfect place to compose your photo – no hike required! The Cam-Boh Trail, or the place where the Golden Gate Trail joins up with Picture Rocks Road are good places, as are the Signal Hill Picnic Area and Trail.

CreditBradley Boe

Ironwood Forest National Monument

If you’re looking to experience a sunset surrounded by true wild desert, head out to Ironwood Forest National Monument. It’ll be just you, the desert, the mountains, and the setting sun. Stick around after it gets dark for some of the best stargazing in the area!

CreditJim Avramis

Aside from these places, you can also take in the sunset from anywhere else around town – just find an area that’s slightly elevated, with a clear view to the west – simple as that. It’s one of the best things about Marana; you don’t have to work for your sunset views, they’re universal here.

PicturedYou can capture amazing sunset views from almost anywhere in Marana!
CreditCaps & Corks

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.

Ryan Wissmann

Author

Ryan Wissmann

Economic Development Specialist, Town of Marana/Discover Marana

Ryan Wissmann is the Economic Development Specialist for the Town of Marana, and is passionate about the growth, development, and quality-of-life in Marana, which of course includes tourism. He is from Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Arizona in 2021 after completing his Master’s Degree in Economic Development. He enjoys hiking the many trails in and around Marana and Southern Arizona, and can often be found outdoors during spring, fall, and winter weekends when the weather is the most pleasant for hiking.
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