Pima Canyon Trail is a 10.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Tucson, Arizona that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and horses and is best used from September until May. Horses are also able to use this trail.
Note: As of December 2020, users report that this trail can only be hiked for 1.8 miles and then you will have to turn around. It is closed at this point due to fire damage. Located at the Northwest side of Tucson on the edge of front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains lies the Iris O. Dewhirst trail. Also commonly known as the Pima Canyon Trail #62. This well traveled and well known trail is popular among trail runners, hikers, and day trippers of the Tucson area. Though the stream in Pima Canyon is dry for most of the year, it supports an excellent example of a desert riparian habitat located conveniently close to the Tucson metropolitan area. Unfortunately, that accessibility has resulted in significant overuse of this beautiful and fragile area, especially during the winter, its season of highest use. From the trailhead, located among suburban ranchos, the trail ascends a V-shaped notch carved along the south face of Pusch Ridge. Views down the canyon get better as you climb, encompassing the city of Tucson as well as distant mountains and valleys. The riparian area on the floor of the canyon provides excellent birdwatching for a wide variety of resident and migratory species that make use of this most productive of all desert habitat types. Other desert creatures you may encounter in this area include javelina and jackrabbits, but the real viewing prize of Pima Canyon and the entire Pusch Ridge area are the desert bighorn sheep that maintain a surefooted existence here among rocky crags and rugged canyons. Beyond Pima Spring, the trail becomes steeper and harder to follow as it continues to climb to the upper slopes of Mt. Kimball. Incentives for persevering here are good views of Window Rock and Cathedral Rock. Trail #62 ends at its junction with the Finger Rock Trail #42.
Arizona Office of Tourism, 2702 N. 3rd St., Suite 4015 , Phoenix, AZ, 85004, Phone: 888-520-3434, Fax: 602-240-5432, mfioritt@pni.com
Directions from Tucson: Drive north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89). Turn east on Magee Road and drive to the parking area and trailhead at road's end.
January 15, 2021January 13, 2021January 13, 2021January 10, 2021Too crowded!!!
January 10, 2021January 7, 2021January 6, 2021Loved this hike. Trail was in very good shape. It is open past the previous closure at 1.8 miles.
January 5, 2021January 5, 2021FYI, I was told that the trail is no longer blockaded and completely open.
January 3, 2021January 3, 2021January 3, 2021January 3, 2021January 2, 2021January 2, 2021January 1, 2021Nice day for a hike.
December 31, 2020December 30, 2020Only walked 2 miles in and then back out but it was a great hike. A lot of rock stepping and rocky trail areas so had to keep eyes on the trail. Quite a popular trail and pretty busy for a weekday. Good parking but lots of hikers. We were able to find a place to park a big pickup.
December 30, 2020 Great. We learned so much about the desert landscaping.
December 30, 2020Nice hike. Pretty gradual. Rocky. Cool to be in the canyon. Turnaround point at 1.8 miles with lined up rocks. In and out of sun. Crowded.
December 24, 2020December 23, 2020Very busy & a work out yet beautiful
December 22, 2020December 21, 2020Busy, but manageable. Super close to our new home, so it's a bonus that you can start hiking and within a mile or so leave Tucson behind and feel like you're in a remote area!
December 21, 2020December 20, 2020Nice and enjoyable hiking! Closed at some point, but not an issue! It took me 1h52 min back and forth, stopping few times to enjoy the view!! Definitely i will come back
December 14, 2020December 13, 2020December 11, 2020It’s a rolling out and back. Not straight up and down. Very pretty wooded area toward the end. Good trail for all abilities.
December 11, 2020
