National Parks Near Tucson! There’s so much more to the Grand Canyon State than the Arizona Wildcats. In this article, More Than Just Parks gives you some exciting vacation destinations within a day’s drive of Tucson.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
To be clear, these include national park sites (as in managed by the National Park Service) as well as capital letter National Parks. To learn more about the difference between the various National Park Service designations check out our article that explains everything!
Now let’s go ahead with 10 reasons why you’ll want to hop in your car and make a day’s drive from Tucson to one of these truly amazing places.
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Tucson?
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks. I taught history for over a quarter of a century. Now I enjoy researching and writing articles for More Than Just Parks. I’m always on the hunt for topics where nature and history intersect so please feel free to share any ideas that you might have with me.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
Best National Parks Near Tucson
1. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Distance From Tucson: One hour via I-10 W & AZ-87 N.
Visitors to Revolutionary War & Civil War Sites marvel at people who lived several hundred years old. What about people who lived over a thousand years ago? Now that’s old!
Archeologists at Casa Grande have discovered evidence suggesting that the Sonoran Desert people developed wide-scale irrigation farming and extensive trade networks which lasted over a thousand years until about 1450 C.E.
These early inhabitants left no written records and ceased using the site after 1450. Archaeologists and historians have had to rely instead on the written historic accounts of the Casa Grande beginning with the journal entries of Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino. He visited the ruins in 1694.
Kino used the words “Casa Grande” meaning “great house” to describe this amazing place.
Now if you enjoy Revolutionary & Civil War Sites have no fear because we haven’t forgotten about you either. Check out these 2 AMAZING articles from More Than Just Parks below:
CHECK OUT: 10 BEST REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN AMERICA
AND CHECK OUT: 10 BEST CIVIL WAR SITES IN AMERICA
Casa Grande Becomes A National Monument
With the advent of the railroad in the 19th century more people began to visit these incredible ruins.
The rise in visitors had unintended consequences such as damage from souvenir hunting, graffiti and outright vandalism. This raised serious concerns about the preservation of the Casa Grande.
Senator George F. Hoar presented a petition before the U. S. Senate in 1889 requesting that the government take steps to repair and protect these ruins.
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison set aside one square mile of Arizona Territory surrounding the Casa Grande Ruins as the first prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States.
Further discoveries at the site led President Woodrow Wilson to proclaim Casa Grande Ruins to be a National Monument on August 3, 1918.
CHECK OUT: Arizona Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore The Natural Wonders & Log Your Experience!
Casa Grande Today
From 1937 to 1940, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a number of adobe structures to support park operations. These structures remain in use today.
Visitors to Casa Grande will find a visitors center, museum and bookstore. There is a movie about the park and its history.
RELATED: 7 AMAZING Nevada National Parks To Visit
2. Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Distance From Tucson: One hour & 50 minutes via I-10 E.
The west could be a dangerous place in the 19th century. The U.S. established a series of outposts, otherwise known as forts, to bring to provide settlers with a measure of safety in an otherwise dangerous land.
The Battle of Apache Pass pitted Apache warriors against the Union volunteers of a California Column which had been dispatched from California to capture Confederate Arizona and to reinforce New Mexico’s Union army.
Fort Bowie was established in 1862 as a result of the Battle of Apache Pass.
While at the fort, visitors can tour the ruins of Fort Bowie and view the exhibits inside the visitor center. There are picnic facilities located at the trailhead on Apache Pass Road and the visitor center.
Visitors can also participate in bird watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing while there.
RELATED: 18 SURPRISING New Mexico National Parks
3. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area | National Parks Near Tucson
Distance From Tucson: Six hours via I-10 W & I-17 N.
It’s a long day’s drive from Tucson, but it wouldn’t be on our list if it wasn’t well worth it.
Whether you prefer aquatic adventures or backcountry excitement, Glen Canyon’s got it going on! We’re talking over 1.25 million acres straddling two states.
As far as things to do are concerned, there’s biking, boating, camping, fishing, off road vehicle driving, kayaking, scenic drives, ranger programs and more. Let’s take a deeper dive!
Biking & Hiking At Glen Canyon
You can ride the backcountry and primitive roads of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery of the Colorado Plateau while on a bike. PLEASE REMEMBER: STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AT ALL TIMES AND DON”T FORGET TO WEAR A HELMET.
Designated areas to ride include: Wahweap, Bullfrog/Escalante, Halls Crossing/San Juan and Orange Cliffs.
When it comes to hiking, there are some excellent day hike areas. They include: Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Rim Trail, Dam Overlook, Hanging Gardens, The Chains, Beehives, Stud Horse Trail and Wiregrass Canyon.
Scenic Drives At Glen Canyon
The Burr Trail is a 67 mile drive which connects Bullfrog and Boulder, Utah, and passes through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery without having to work too hard while you’re doing it.
Kayaking At Glen Canyon
There is no fee to launch a kayak in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. All launch ramps are welcome to any kind of boat.
If you want to do some Downlake Kayaking, Warm Creek Bay is a popular destination. Padre Bay is another great location as it has many nice beaches.
For Uplake Kayaking, there’s: Moqui Canyon: about 4.5-5 miles up stream from Halls Crossing marina, Lost Eden Canyon: about 1 mile down stream from Halls Crossing marina, Annie’s Canyon: about 15 miles downstream from Halls Crossing marina, and Escalante Arm: About 35 miles downstream from Halls Crossing.
There’s also River Kayaking along the Colorado & Escalante Rivers.
Camping At Glen Canyon
Campgrounds operated by the National Park Service include: Lees Ferry Campground, Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping Area, Stanton Creek Primitive Camping Area and Beehives Campground.
If you’re looking for other option there’s also Campgrounds Operated by Park Concessioners. You might want to check out these as well.
RELATED: 14 MIGHTY Utah National Parks & Monuments
4. Grand Canyon National Park
Distance From Tucson: Five hours via I-10 W & I-17 N.
There’s a reason it’s named the Grand Canyon State. You cannot travel to Tucson and not see one of the world’s greatest geologic wonders.
Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park has a special significance for the founders of More Than Just Parks.
To quote the Pattiz Brothers:
We founded More Than Just Parks after a spur of the moment road trip with friends to the Grand Canyon during which we discovered the National Parks for the first time.
As for the place which forever changed their lives, it’s a mile-deep gorge in northern Arizona.
Scientists estimate the canyon may have formed 5 to 6 million years ago when the Colorado River began to cut a channel through layers of rock.
Humans have in and out of the canyon there since the last Ice Age.
The first Europeans to reach the Grand Canyon were Spanish explorers in the 1540s.
President Benjamin Harrison first protected the Grand Canyon in 1893 as a forest reserve, and it became an official United States National Park in 1919
The Powell Expedition & The Grand Canyon
I don’t know why Hollywood hasn’t made a film about this expedition. It’s Lewis & Clark Meets Indiana Jones! In 1869, John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran and self-trained naturalist, embarks on a daring descent of the mighty Colorado River.
Powell was be accompanied by 11 men in four wooden boats. He led the expedition through the Grand Canyon and over punishing rapids that many would hesitate to run today with modern rafts.
As for danger, three of Powell’s men were convinced that the rapids were impassable. Seneca Howland, O.G. Howland, and William H. Dunn decided to take their chances crossing the harsh desert lands above the canyon rims.
These three began the long climb up out of the Grand Canyon. It was not a good decision on their part.
The three men allegedly encountered a war party of Shivwit Indians and were killed.
As for Powell and the men who stayed the course, they lived to tell the tale and provide valuable information on the Grand Canyon and Colorado River.
Take A Deeper Dive With A Story That’s Worthy Of Indiana Jones: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell.
Things To Do At The Grand Canyon National Park
It’s not as dangerous a trek today as it was in Powell’s time. That having been said, it’s important that you gather the necessary information before setting out on your own adventures.
A good place to start is the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center. You can learn about the history of this geologic wonder there.
Places of interest along the Canyon Rim include the Yavapai Museum of Geology and Verkamps Visitor Center.
South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is more accessible from several large cities which makes it a perfect day trip. It’s also more user friendly and offers restaurants, cafeterias, stores and lodges. It’s a great choice for families with children.
The North Rim stays pleasantly cool, even during the summer. Since it’s covered in trees, the North Rim has a natural shade while the South Rim heats up drastically during the summer months.
There are plenty of hiking opportunities, but to get the most out of the North Rim, you’ll need to hike on lengthier and less accessible trails. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Be sure to do your homework. You don’t want to end up like Seneca Howland, O.G. Howland, and William H. Dunn.
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5. Old Spanish National Historic Trail
The Old Spanish Trail, “the longest, crookedest, most arduous pack mule trail in the history of America,” (1829-1848) was best-known during the Mexican period of southwestern history. The trail started in Santa Fe and terminated in Los Angeles, and had several variants – the Armijo Route, the Main Branch, and the mountainous North Branch with East and West Forks.
For almost 200 years, a primary concern for Spanish authorities was finding a supply link between the provincial capitals of northern New Spain and the Pacific Ocean. El Camino Real (the Royal Road) existed — Santa Fe to Chihuahua, and on to Mexico City, but the round trip took many months.
Early in the 19th century when independence from Spain was achieved, Mexico began to allow in trade goods from the United States over what came to be called the Santa Fe Trail, which opened in 1821 from Missouri to New Mexico. But the need continued for a connection with California and the Pacific Ocean. (Source: Arizona State Parks & Trails)
Enter Antonio Armijo
It was the Mexican trader Antonio Armijo who led the first commercial caravan from Abiquiú, New Mexico to Los Angeles in late 1829. Over the next twenty years, Mexican and American traders continued to use routes similar to the one he pioneered.
This trail network was a combination of the indigenous footpaths, early trade and exploration routes, and horse and mule routes which became known collectively as the “Old Spanish Trail.”
Today numerous programs and activities are available at sites and in communities along the Trail.
6. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument | National Parks Near Tucson
Distance From Tucson: Two hours & 7 minutes via AZ-86 W.
When you visit the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument you will discover that it’s not only a great Arizona national park but also an International Biosphere Reserve. Go there and behold a thriving community of plants and animals.
At Organ Pipe, visitors will have a variety of camping experiences to choose from including developed, primitive, and backcountry. There are some wonderful trails to hike which include:
- Visitor Center Nature Trail (.01 miles)
- Campground Perimeter Trail (1 mile)
- Desert View Trail (1.2 miles)
- Palo Verde Trail (2.6 miles)
There are mountain trails available to hike as well at Ajo and Puerto Blanco.
There’s A Biosphere There Too
The United Nations Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conceived the Biosphere Reserve Program as one solution to the seemingly overwhelming environmental pressures confronting the world.
The biosphere at Organ Pipe has attracted scientists from around the world to conduct a variety of important studies to help us better understand the Sonoran Desert and the impact of humans on this amazing landscape.
CHECK OUT: 25 Bucket List FAMOUS Landmarks In America
7. Petrified Forest National Park
Distance From Tucson: Four hours & 40 minutes via AZ-77 N & US-60 E.
This Arizona national park is like something from another world and you have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is home to the Rainbow Forest. It’s chock full of colorful petrified wood.
If you’re new to the park then the visitor center is always a great place to start out. There’s an 18 minute orientation video to familiarize you with the park. There’s also a bookstore, exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and public amenities.
While You’re There Check Out The Rainbow Forest Museum
It’s also home to the Rainbow Forest Museum, which features paleontology exhibits and many trail access points.
In the center of the park you’ll find the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock and the ruined village of Puerco Pueblo.
If you travel to the north of the park, you can visit the Painted Desert Inn, a 1930s adobe building, is a museum with Hopi murals.
CHECK OUT: 10 EPIC National Parks Near Phoenix You’ll Love
8. Saguaro National Park
Distance From Tucson: 18 minutes via I-10 W.
Saguaro National Park is unique in that it is bisected by the city of Tucson. It is also one of Arizona’s flagship national parks.
The two districts are – East & West. It takes 30-45 minutes to travel between the two districts.
The park is home to the Saguaro Cactus. It’s a large, tree-sized cactus with a relatively long lifespan–up to 250 years.
The primary outdoor activities are biking, camping, hiking and horseback riding. It’s well worth a visit to this park as the desert beauty makes for an otherworldly experience.
Things To Do At Saguaro National Park East District
The Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a paved, combination one-way and two-way road that features several trailheads, scenic vistas, and pullouts in a total of 8 miles.
To reach the hiking trails from the visitor center, you must drive into the park on the Loop Drive. The first trailhead is accessed in about 2 miles and begins at the Mica View Picnic Area. There are several trailheads with parking off the Loop Drive.
For a more complete list, check out our article on the best things to do in Saguaro National Park.
Things To Do At Saguaro National Park West District
The Scenic Bajada Loop Drive is a great way to explore the district’s foothills. There are scenic pullouts, picnic areas, and hiking trailheads in a 6 mile loop.
Bicycling is permitted along the Bajada Loop Drive and all paved roads. Bicycling is not permitted on any trails, except the 0.5 mile Belmont Multi-use trail and the 2.5 mile Golden Gate Multi-use trail. (Source: NPS)
Check Out Our Saguaro National Park Film
9. Tonto National Monument | National Parks Near Tucson
Distance From Tucson: Two hours & 43 minutes via AZ-77 N.
If you’re someone who has never experienced a cliff dwelling then you’re in for a real treat because visitors to Tonto National Monument have the opportunity to marvel at two Salado-style cliff dwellings.
You can also see colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.
Tonto was established in 1907. It’s mission is to protect several cliff dwelling sites and numerous smaller archeological sites scattered throughout the highlands and alluvial plains within the Tonto Basin, Arizona.
The Lower Cliff Dwelling is one of two large sites accessible to the public, and is the primary site visited in the Monument throughout the year.
10. Tumacácori National Historical Park
Distance From Tucson: 43 minutes via I-19 S.
The history of the Southwestern United States was heavily influenced by Spain during its colonial era. Tumacácori National Historical Park in Southern Arizona protects the ruins of three missions founded by the Spanish during this time.
Jesuit Father Eusebio Franciso Kino founded 24 missions in the region including two of the three on display at Tumacácori. They were Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi and San José de Tumacácori. The third, San Cayetano de Calabazas, was founded later by Jesuit father Francisco Pauer.
In January of 1691, Kino founded the very first mission, Tumacácori, in what later would become the state of Arizona.
Things To Do At Tumacácori National Historical Park
Visitors enter Tumacácori National Historical Park through the Tumacácori visitor center. The visitor center offers a 15 minute video, an excellent museum, and a bookstore.
A self-guided interpretive tour booklet, “In the Footprints of the Past,” is available for loan or purchase in the bookstore.
Guided tours are available at 11:00 and 2:00 January through March, and may be available at other times and seasons. Special tours, such as guided walks to the Santa Cruz River, may also be available. (Source: NPS)
Map Of National Parks Near Tucson
List Of National Parks Near Tucson
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Saguaro National Park
- Tonto National Monument
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
To Learn More:
- The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell.
- Arizona Myths and Legends: The True Stories behind History’s Mysteries (Legends of the West) by Sam Lowe.
- Roadside History of Arizona (Roadside History Series) by Marshall Trimble.
- Arizona Ghost Towns: 50 of the State’s Best Places to Get a Glimpse of the Old West by Noah Austin.
- A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert by the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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