Explore the best rated trails in Oro Valley, AZ, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cañada del Oro River Park Trail and Rillito River Park Trail . With more than 11 trails covering 125 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started out from Freedom Park towards downtown. Sadly, almost immediately we were introduced to a large portion Tucson’s homeless population. Many camps and much trash along the side of the trail. The trail surface was very rough. It is not well marked so we never made it to downtown portion. I suspect the 5 star reviews started downtown and did not proceed too far down the trail. A large portion on the trail is along roads of either 4 or 6 lanes and there are many street crossings (most have traffic lights to aid crossing).
We are RVers and so nice to find an RV park that is on the trail. Staying at Rincon Country West RV and you can leave out the back gate and hit the trail. If you head south it is 2.5 miles to the end of the trail but heading north is 40 miles of riding and then connect to other trails. The trail condition is excellent and the scenery great. If the river had water would really be spectacular but it is dry. Saw a roadrunner on the trail.
We parked at the Vail Christian Church on Valencia. The usual roadside parking areas are gone due to road construction but the Church was great. Lots of bikers parked there. Right beside the Harrison Greenway trail which runs into the Pantano trail. So from there you could go one way to the Pantano or the other to Julian Wash. The Harrison trail is considered a connector trail. Anyway lots of beautiful cactus/several restrooms/horse farms/no homeless camps.
We parked at the Shannon Parking lot for the Loop. Google maps will take you to the parking lot. Did an 18 Mile round trip. Could be longer if you wanted. You can cross the Wash at several places and ride both sides of the Wash. Beautiful scenery. Lots of trees and giant cactus. It was a Saturday so the trail was busy but fun. Parks along the way. We are staying at the South 40 RV park and next time we will just ride out of the RV park. Can use sidewalks to get to trail. Can also ride to the Canada del Oro and the Santa Cruz trail.
We stayed at So 40 RV park. Could actually have ridden from the RV park to the trail but drove and parked at the small lot at Thornydale and rode 10 miles north up the trail. The scenery is great and the path has lots of curves and 4 steel bridges to cross back and forth across the giant wash. Just after you leave the parking lot you come to a”Y”. One way is the Santa Cruz Trail and the other the Canada del Oro.
We stayed at the Tucson KOA and you can ride out the back of the KOA and get on the trail. About the middle of the trail. First day we headed west for 7 miles. The trail flows into the Santa Cruz Trail so you could go a long way if wanted. It’s ok. Has two kind of confusing street crossings. Not particularly scenic. 2nd day went east for 10 miles where Julian wash flows into another section of the loop. This was a workout ride. You don’t realize it but it is a slight steady uphill and we had a good headwind. So a workout! No shade and not particularly scenic.
Started at Thornydale and rode NE. As others have noted, the trail climbs very gradually going NE which makes the return ride easy. Did 5 miles out and 5 miles back. Scenery is pretty with mountains in the distance. Saw a few other cyclists on the trail and a couple people walking dogs. Drove down from Phoenix to ride this trail and will definitely ride this trail again; will also explore the rest of the Loop.
Tucson has many miles of beautiful paths and the Canada del Oro River Park section is one of the finest.
I parked my vehicle at the La Cholla Boulevard lot just north of McGee Road. It’s a gravel lot with plenty of spaces. From there, I chose to run northeast towards La Canada Drive. I was looking to run a total of 4-miles so I ran 2-miles out and back. I began by running under La Cholla Boulevard, through the Overton/Hardy Road pedestrian crossing, under La Canada Drive and then over a bridge that crosses a wash to complete my 2-miles. I then turned around to head back to my vehicle.
The path is an asphalt surface and is very wide in order to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians. It’s in wonderful condition too. I visited on a weekday morning around 9:30 AM. There were not a lot of people out that day, but enough to where I felt safe. It’s is also marked extremely well so no confusion at all.
A couple of things to be aware of. First, there is hardly any shade so get out early in the summer. You may want to consider sunscreen too. Secondly, while you are not far from roads, you will also be surrounded by desert. Don’t be surprised if you encounter amazing Arizona wildlife (snakes, coyotes, etc.). Always be alert and remember that if you respect them, they will very likely respect you. Finally, there are no restrooms in the La Cholla parking lot or along the way of this small section. So be prepared.
This section of the path is very peaceful, scenic and I enjoyed all the friendly people who were also enjoying it with me. Can’t wait to go back!!
Picked up the trail from the Julian Wash Greenway. It is an asphalt trail with beautiful landscaping along the way. There could have been better signage because there are several bike paths that intersect and it is easy to get turned around. No homeless people, no unsafe areas. We went on a Monday, late morning. There were some runners and cyclists. Very enjoyable.
Path is easy with beautiful landscaping along the way. Started at the trailhead (I think). The only problem was when we got to the busy intersection where the China Express was. Didn't know where to go from there. Better signage would have helped. So we turned around and went back. Picked up the Santa Cruz River Park trail.
Started downtown. Homeless encampments and rough surface first five miles. Chatters your teeth and bike. Maybe a bad batch of asphalt from the start. Would not ride this trail again until resurfaced unless I had to get to work and no other options.
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