Tucson Hikes and Night Walks

All events are free or included in admission or vehicle entrance fee unless otherwise noted. Parking may be additional. Bad weather may change or cancel activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets unless otherwise specified.

Birding — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. A guided walk to look for spring migrants, tanagers, warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles and vireos. 8-9:30 a.m. April 20 and 27. 615-7855.

Kangaroo Rat: Super Survivor — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A hike to learn about the behavioral and physical adaptations that allow the rodents to survive harsh desert environments. Suitable footwear. 3:15-4 p.m. April 20 and 27. 733-5158.

Life on the Edge — Saguaro National Park West. A walk to learn how plants and animals weather the climate change. 10:15-11 a.m. April 21, 23 and 28. 733-5158.

Parents and Tots Walk — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Toddler backpacks are available for loan. Call for reservations. 733-5153. 9-11 a.m. April 21 and 28.

Spiny, Shady, and Cool — Saguaro National Park West. A short walk to discover the variety of cacti. 11:15-11:45 a.m. April  21, 22 and 28. 733-5158.

Birding — Sweetwater Wetlands, 2667 W. Sweetwater Drive. Join a naturalist to look for wetland, desert birds and other wildlife. Online registration required. 3-5 p.m. April 22. 615-7855.

Family Nature Walk — Sabino Canyon. Learn about the desert environment on an easy walk led by Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. 10 a.m.- noon.  April 22. 749-8700.

Historical Tour — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park. A guided walk to gain insights into the rich farming and ranching history of the site. 11 a.m.-noon. April 22. 615-7855.

History Walk: Grand Central Mill — Fairbank Historic Townsite, Highway 82, Sierra Vista. A three hour, 2 mile walk lead by The Friends of the San Pedro River explaining the history of the site. Suitable footwear. 9 a.m.-noon. April 22. 227-7185.

Presidio District Walking Tour — Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum and Tucson Museum of Art, 196 N. Court Ave. Discover the stories of Tucson's past that have made the city what it is today. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 22. $40. 837-8119.

River Bird Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Considered one of the largest and most critical avian migratory corridors remaining in the western United States. 7-9 a.m. April 22 and 26. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

River Walk — San Pedro House. Join the Friends of the San Pedro River to find mammals, reptiles, amphibians and nearly 350 species of birds. Suitable footwear. 8-10 a.m. April 22. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

The Plants Tell All — Saguaro National Park West. Join a park naturalist on a walk to learn the secrets of what ties the plants and animals together. Suitable footwear. 9:45-11:15 a.m. April 22. 733-5158.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch — Historic Hacienda de la Canoa. A walking tour of the historic buildings and corrals. Online registration required. 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 22 and 25. 724-5220.

Anza Trail Park-to-Park Hike: Park Rx Day — Tumacácori National Historical Park, 1891 E. Frontage Road. Hike the Anza Trail between Tumacácori and Tubac. Catch the free shuttle back. 8 a.m.-noon. April 23. 377-5060.

Bird Walk — Environmental Operations Park, Hwy. 90 east of Sierra Vista. A two hour walk led by docents from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and the Friends of the San Pedro River. Suitable footwear. 7-9 a.m. April 23. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Park Rx Day: Park-to-Park Hike — Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, One Burruel St. Hike the length of the Anza Trail. Catch the shuttle service back. 9 a.m.-noon. April 23. 398-2252.

Adaptations: Recipe for Survival — Saguaro National Park West. A short walk in the garden to discover physical and behavioral adaptations of the plants. 10:15-10:45 a.m. April 25. 733-5158.

History of the Rincon Valley — Saguaro National Park East. A walk down the Hope Camp Trail to learn about the homesteaders and ranchers who settled. Ages 10 and up. Reservations required. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 25. 733-5153.

Hummingbird Banding — San Pedro House. A close-up look as staff capture, band, weigh, measure and release them as part of long-term studies. 4-6 p.m. April 25. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Life Cycle of the Saguaro: Seeds to Giant — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A short walk to learn why so few saguaros seeds make it to fruition. 11:15 a.m.-noon. April 25. 733-5158.

Medicinal Plants — University of Arizona Arboretum, 1600 E. University Blvd. Old Main. Learn how plants have been used for centuries as therapeutic treatments promoting human health. RSVP infoarboretum@ag.arizona.edu or 621-7074. 9-10:30 a.m. April 25. 

Anza Tour at Historic Canoa Ranch — Historic Hacienda de la Canoa. Learn about Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza and the group of Spanish colonial settlers. Online registration required. 9-10 a.m. April 26. 724-5220.

Nature Walks — Sabino Canyon. Guided walk led by volunteer naturalists. 8:30-11:30 a.m. April 26. 749-8700.

Parents and Tots Walk — Saguaro National Park West. Toddler backpacks available for loan. Reservations required at 733-5158. 9-11 a.m. April 26. 

Restoration Tour — Historic Hacienda de la Canoa. Take a behind-the-scenes tour with Architectural Preservationist to examine the processes and materials used in the restoration of the structures. 9-10:30 a.m. April 26. 724-5220.

The Destruction of Granite — Saguaro National Park East. Join a ranger on a guided auto tour and a four mile hike. Suitable footwear. Reservations required. 9:30-noon. April 26. 733-5153.

The Saguaro Time Hike — Saguaro National Park East. A short walk. Ages 10 and up. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 26. 733-5153.

Hidden Wildlife — Saguaro National Park East. Learn to look for the signs that animals leave behind. 2-2:30 p.m. April 27. 733-5153.

Evening and Night  

Star Party — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Telescopes and binoculars available. Reservations required. 7-9 p.m. April 20. 733-5153.

Twilight Walking Tour of Barrio Viejo — In front of La Pilita, 420 S. Main Ave. Explore an area of Hispanic cultural and architectural traditions. 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 20. $20. 625-8365.

Nature Night: Evening Owl Walk — Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area, 1548 S. Kinney Road. A guided walk to explore the nighttime world of owls and other nocturnal birds. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Online registration required. 7-9 p.m. April 21. 615-7855.

Stargazing — Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley. Sonora Astronomical Society volunteers set up telescopes and provide an introduction to the night sky. Bring a flashlight and lawn chair. 6-9 p.m. April 21. 615-7855.

A Night Under the Stars — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers provide an introduction to the night sky. Telescopes available. 7:30-9:30. April 22. 615-7855.

Silhouettes at Sundown — Saguaro National Park West. A three hour, 2.5 mile walk along an arroyo as the sun sets. Reservations required. 733-5158. 4:15-7:15 p.m. April 22.

Night Walk — Saguaro National Park East. Join a park naturalist to experience the desert at night. Reservations required. 7-9 p.m. April 28. 733-5153.