favorite dog-friendly hikes in tucson: where to hike with dogs in tucson
saguaros at sunset in tucson mountain park
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we first visited tucson last winter and knew immediately we wanted to return. (you can find our saguaro national park itinerary here and family friendly activities in tucson here) but this time around, we had our adventure pup in tow! i was honestly surprised at how dog-friendly tucson is; we had plenty of options for exploring this beautiful desert with bebe. here are a few of the dog-friendly hikes in tucson that we enjoyed!
what to bring when hiking with dogs in tucson
there are a few items we like to have on hand every time we go hiking with dogs. in addition to a leash and harness, here’s what to bring when hiking with dogs in tucson:
travel bowl: this bowl is very light and portable. I used the attached carabiner to hook it to my daypack and then fill it from my own water.
first aid kit: we carry a basic first aid kit on every hike, which already contains most of the essentials for dog first aid. the one addition we keep on hand is a wound care spray for pets. if you’re looking for a more complete dog first aid kit, this one looks like a great option.
poop bags: please pick up your dog poop (if you have the ability)! we buy these bags in bulk. this set comes with a dispenser if you need one. i also have this pup pouch for storing used bags so i don’t have to hold onto them while hiking. it clips into my pack and blocks and odor - it’s been so helpful to have!
tick removal tool: i bring this tick removal tool every time i travel with bebe. though she is protected from ticks via medication, it reduces the likelihood that ticks will get transported into our vehicle or home - and ultimately onto a person!
tuscan hikes with dogs: catalina state park
catalina state park has 8 trails, most of which are dog-friendly (there is one area of the park where dogs are not allowed due to bighorn sheep habitat). the scenery is beautiful and there is a mix of wide, natural surface trails and rockier terrain. this park is popular among dog families, so keep that in mind if your pup prefers more distance from other dogs. one other thing to note about the trails is that most are either relatively short (1 mile - ish) or relatively long (7+ miles).
in addition to hiking, catalina state park has quite of few other outdoor activities in tucson. the park has a campground and hosts a number of activities, concluding bird walks, nature programs, archeology talks, and even concerts! we went during one of the nature programs and got to learn about (and see up close!) many desert critters. kiddo even got to hold a tarantula!
hiking at catalina state park with bebe
dog-friendly hikes in tucson: madera canyon
part of coronado national forest, madera canyon is located about 25 miles from tucson. if you have a national park annual pass, you won’t need to pay to recreate here; otherwise, there is an $8 day fee. camping is also available. we parked at one of the campgrounds and it looked like an absolutely lovely spot for camping in arizona.
there are plenty of hiking options in the canyon, so be sure to check the hiking map in advance to make a plan. because this spot is higher elevation, there are more trees and the climate is a bit cooler than tucson - making it a great option for hiking with dogs in tucson. the terrain can be rocky and there are lots of deer, so be advised if your pup has a strong prey drive.
kiddo and bebe hiking in madera canyon
dog-friendly national parks: saguaro national park
while saguaro national park isn’t one of the most dog-friendly national parks, there are a couple short trail options for hiking with dogs. given that it’s right in tucson, i think it’s totally worth visiting saguaro national park with dogs. know in advance that neither trail offers poop bags, trash cans or water, so come prepared!
on the east side is the desert ecology trail. just over a quarter of a mile, this paved trail has lots of great interpretive information for getting acquainted with desert ecology. on the west side of saguaro national park, near the visit center is the desert discovery trail. this paved trail is a bit longer at half a mile and is absolutely gorgeous! of note - parking at the desert discovery trail, in particular, can be tricky. of the four times we visited over a year, we only got parking here once! be prepared to circle back a couple times.
check out this blog post which includes our itineraries for 2 days in saguaro national park and 1 day in saguaro national park. it’s worth noting the park has east and west sides, which are completely disconnected and about an hour’s drive apart. you could certainly visit both parks in a single day, but i’d recommend one day for each side so you can really enjoy and explore the unique ecosystems.
tucson is a very dog friendly destination with lots of options for dog-friendly trails. we highly recommend a visit and hope this list gives you some great ideas to go out wild and explore the beauty of tucson’s sonoran desert.
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