Tucson Road Trips are our recommendations for the most interesting scenic back roads, ghost towns, destinations, and attractions suitable for a 2-3 day mini-vacation from Tucson.
With three days, these are fairly leisurely round-trip drives with lots of interesting stops along the way. Some involve driving on unpaved roads, but except after a recent hard rain, most are passable in a standard sedan, and none require four-wheel drive.
These 2-3 day getaways are especially interesting if you plan ahead and arrange to visit places that have special events during your journey, such as historical re-enactments, guided tours, concerts, and annual festivals. Check our Events Calendar for upcoming events all over Southern Arizona.
All of our recommended road trips, except Aravaipa Canyon, have decent dining & lodging somewhere along the way. Aravaipa Canyon is a Nature Conservancy Preserve. With a BLM permit, you can hike and camp in the 10-mile long canyon wilderness. On any given day, only 50 people are permitted. You can take your horse. You can’t take your dog.
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Wickenburg & Prescott: A Summer of 2022 Adventure
Ms. Karen and I had not been anywhere of note in ages, mostly because of the pandemic, but more recently because of the summer heat
A Hike Up Picacho Peak
Ever passed by Picacho Peak and wondered what it was like to hike to the top? Well, Ms. Karen and I were visiting Neighbors Ron
Hiking in the Tortolita Mountains
First published 2015. On a sunny but cool day in December, Ms. Rosemary and I were invited by the Tourism & Marketing Manager for Marana,
Fall Vacation: Cottonwood, Fort Verde & the Verde Canyon Railroad
In early October, 2021, Ms. Karen and I made a quick vacation trip to Central Arizona above Phoenix. Our purpose for the trip was to
Tucson To Bisbee To Dragoon – A Scenic, Historic Backroad Adventure
For me, the most interesting backroads are those that traverse scenic countryside, of course. But more so, I look for many points of interest, usually
More Scenic Drives, Back Roads in Southern Arizona
I was inspired a few weeks back when someone wrote to tell us that she loved our backcountry stories and was trying to save them
Road Trip: Huachuca Mountains Loop
Having posted a video of the fall colors in the Huachucas, Jim and I decided to take a drive. After being mostly homebound for several
Aravaipa Farms Country Inn: A Lodging Review!
Editor’s Note: Update: 3/2/23. Aravaipa Farms was purchased in the summer of 2016, reopened as Aravaipa Farms and Inn. It sold again in 2021. This
From Paradise Az to the Wonderland of Rocks: A 3-Day Road Trip!
Our perfect 3-Day Road Trip started in Tucson and headed east to (A) Willcox. From there we continued on I-10 over the AZ-New Mexico border
Kent Springs Cabin in Madera Canyon is a Birders Find
Kent Springs cabin in Madera Canyon could just be a a great find for Birders! Offered for rent by the Coronado National Forest, it sleeps
Aravaipa Canyon East: A Pictorial
While exploring the Aravaipa Canyon from the east entrance last February, we came across a cabin with the words “Guest House” painted on the sign. Welcoming words, indeed. After arriving back home we did some research and found that the Nature Conservancy rents it out. We vowed to return, stay in the cabin a couple of nights, and share the experience with friends.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Many folks in Tucson don’t consider a day trip or overnight road trip to Patagonia and Patagonia Lake State Park because they think it’s too far.
Aravaipa Canyon – West: A Day Trip From Tucson
We had seen so many beautiful images of Aravaipa Canyon like this one that we wanted to experience this wilderness preserve for ourselves. So, in early February 2013 I went on the BLM website and purchased permits: 4 to get us into the West Entrance on a Sunday in late February and 3 permits for the next Sunday at the East Entrance.
The permits are only $5 for each person. The BLM severely restricts the number of people who can use the Canyon at any one time. Something like 50 total. Also on a limited basis you can ride your horse through here, but you can’t bring your dog.
Hohokam Ruins In Catalina State Park
On a perfect Saturday in February, our friends from New York, Susan & Charlea, went with Ms. Karen, Molly Dog, & me to Catalina State Park in Oro Valley. After paying the $7 entry fee, we found a pleasant picnic area and fortified ourselves before hiking the archeological site on the ridge across the road.
Muleshoe Ranch Preserve: Great Southern Arizona Bird Watching
Muleshoe Ranch, a preserve of the Nature Conservancy, is one of the five best conservation areas for bird watching in Southern Arizona. Over 200 species of birds either live here year-round or pause here along the streams on their seasonal migration.
3 Great Southern Arizona Getaways & 3 Staycation Ideas For Tucson Locals
Two & three-day getaway mini-vacations for Tucson locals around Southern Arizona. Tucsonans know that 7 months out of the year we live in paradise. We seldom have a desire to leave town between October and April. So these recommended getaways & staycations are geared toward the hot summer months, May through September.
Southern Arizona mini-vacations are only a bit complicated because you folks in Sierra Vista may want to spend a few days in Tucson to see a play or concert or enjoy our terrific museums. By contrast, you Tucsonans may want a weekend in and near Sierra Vista to hike Ramsey Canyon or explore the San Pedro River Valley.
3 Great Southern Arizona Getaways & 3 Staycation Ideas For Tucson Locals
Two & three-day getaway mini-vacations for Tucson locals around Southern Arizona. Tucsonans know that 7 months out of the year we live in paradise. We seldom have a desire to leave town between October and April. So these recommended getaways & staycations are geared toward the hot summer months, May through September.
Southern Arizona mini-vacations are only a bit complicated because you folks in Sierra Vista may want to spend a few days in Tucson to see a play or concert or enjoy our terrific museums. By contrast, you Tucsonans may want a weekend in and near Sierra Vista to hike Ramsey Canyon or explore the San Pedro River Valley.
Road Trip – Day 3- Morning; Clifton, Morenci’, Black Hills Country Byway & the Salsa Trail
On the third and final day of our Southeastern Arizona adventure, we started early. Deborah Mendelsohn, our Simpson Hotel B&B innkeeper in Duncan, had prepared a delicious take-along breakfast for us the night before. Normally, we would have slept in and enjoyed breakfast with her and the other guests, but we had a lot of […]
Road Trip – Day 2 – Evening; Coronado Vineyards & Historic Simpson Hotel
Days One/Recap This is a continuation of my post about our April 2012 three-day tour of Southeast Arizona. On day-one, we visited the ghost towns of Pearce, Courtland, and Gleason east of Tombstone with a short side trip to Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks. Then we continued south to the Slaughter Ranch east of Douglas, then […]
Road Trip – Day 2/Morning: Faraway Ranch In Chiricahua National Monument
Day One
This is a continuation of my post about our April 2012 tour of Southeast Arizona. On day-one, we visited the ghost towns of Pearce, Courtland, and Gleeson east of Tombstone with a short side trip to Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks. Then we continued south to the Slaughter Ranch east of Douglas, then north, ending the first day at Portal Peak Lodge in Portal, AZ. Here we eat in the cafe, slept in a small room, and most importantly, acquired a 25¢ map that showed the back road over the mountain.
Road Trip – Day 1; Ghost Towns, Slaughter Ranch, & Portal
Above is the route Ms. Karen & I took on a three-day weekend to Southeastern Arizona. This is a wonderful place for children and adults. Tons of hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing, bird and critter watching. And lots of Native American and Pioneer history.
Pusch Peak Hike
The trail head is almost to Oro Valley off Oracle. This is a strenuous hike, but the view from the summit is worthwhile. Plan on
Romero Canyon To Montrose Pools Trail
The Romero Canyon Trail is located at the end of the road in Catalina State Park. Out and back, it’s about 2 fairly easy miles.
Madera Canyon
Madera Canyon is a recommended side trip when you are in the I-19 corridor visiting the Missions, the Titan Missile Museum, or Tubac Village. The
