A walk or tram ride in Sabino Canyon in the early weeks of spring is an excursion into a world of flowing water, wildflowers in brilliant bloom and steep slopes studded with saguaros — some of them showing blossoms earlier than usual.
The 3.9-mile canyon road is closed to private motor vehicles, but a ride on the motorized canyon tram offers a convenient way to get an overview of the springtime scenery.
Take a walk up the road or a hike on a canyon trail for a slower-paced, up-close look at the site’s geologic splendor, blooming ocotillos and brittlebush plants, cactus flowers and gurgling Sabino Creek.
Here are three canyon trails worth a walk:
- Bluff Trail
- — This very short, very scenic two-tenths-of-a-mile trail winds along bluffs above Sabino Creek. It begins along the canyon road about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the canyon visitor center and connects with the Sabino Lake Trail and the Creek Trail.
- Esperero Trail
- — The first 1.1-mile section of this trail, which begins near the visitor center, leads to a junction with Rattlesnake Trail. An upper 5.8-mile segment of the route is more challenging and takes hikers into the Catalina Mountains.
- Phoneline Trail
- — A somewhat challenging 4.2-mile trail, the Phoneline climbs high above the creek and provides an overview of stream-side vegetation. Reach it from the canyon visitor center via the Bear Canyon Trail.
The visitor center is at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Visitors pay a $5 per vehicle fee.
