33 Best Stops Between Alamogordo and Apache Junction (2024)

3 lists

I've driven past White Sands National Park multiple times on road trips from Arizona to Texas but I had never stopped in before. Boy was I missing out! This is one of the most beautiful natural places I've ever visited! I went in the evening around 7 pm and stayed until closing at 9 pm. The sunset, clouds in the sky and white dunes that stretched on for miles was absolutely stunning. I drove back into the park approximately 6 miles as the ranger recommended that it was the best area for sand dune sledding. My kids had so much fun! There is plenty of parking, shaded picnic areas, and restrooms. If you have an America the Beautiful pass you can get into the park for free. The visitor center has gifts, snacks, restrooms and a museum. On certain evenings there are free tours of the lake, sunset strolls and full moon activities. Check the website for hours because they do vary by season and whether or not it's a full moon. The sand does not stick everywhere on your body like beach sand, it's very dry, soft, and clean. Enjoy!

You will love exploring the dunes. Although you might consider it small for a national park, its uniqueness lies in its natural beauty. On the day we visited, it was fairly cloudy, but the scene was still breathtaking, with a dramatic landscape and exceptionally beautiful clouds. Walking through the dunes was a fun experience, although you may end up with a lot of sand in your shoes. However, you will certainly enjoy it because the sand is incredibly soft and smooth. It's definitely worth dedicating half a day to this adventure!

Definitely a must see. Came late evening and stayed for the sunset. The area is so peaceful and beautiful. Great place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a small piece of creation. We came with a fairly large group. Some relaxed in the sand, others played football, and yet others hiked around. Come an see for yourself... you'll be glad you did.

White Sands National Park was amazing! You can go sledding down the dunes, there's a gift shop, public restrooms, and again if you are traveling to several National parks or monuments, save some money and purchase the America the beautiful park pass online prior to going. (Purchase a few weeks ahead of time to allow time for pass to arrive) this park was a little out of the way for us, but I am so glad we did it, it was amazing to see and feel this sand. There are picnic tables you can eat at, but you'll have to bring in your own food and drink. Definitely worth visiting if you're in New Mexico.

White Sands National Park is a must-visit, but it’s important to note some key details before you go. First and foremost, there’s a $25 entrance fee for each vehicle entering the park. However, this pass can be used for up to 7 days, which makes it a reasonable deal.As you venture further into the park, the landscape becomes increasingly surreal, with vast expanses of brilliant white sand dunes stretching out before you. Don’t let the initial, more barren sections of the park discourage you; the real beauty lies deeper within.Be sure to pack sunscreen because you’ll certainly get a sun tan here. Additionally, bring your own water as there are no water stations to refill along the way.There’s a small gift shop at the park’s entrance where you can buy sleds to enjoy sand dune sledding, a popular activity here. However, I’d recommend bringing your own if you can, as things in these kinds of shops can sometimes be a bit overpriced.White Sands National Park is a fantastic place to take stunning photos and witness the unique beauty of New Mexico. The park offers several restroom facilities throughout, and you’ll find plenty of parking available in different sections of the park. It’s definitely a remarkable and photogenic destination worth visiting.

Beautiful national park. The sand stays cool and there are so many places to go sledding. Go in the morning if you can, once it gets towards the afternoons, the roads past the boardwalk get very muddy and hard to drive through.Bring a sled and wax if you can, otherwise it is $25 for the sled (you get $5 back in store credit if you return it), and the wax is about $3.The giftshop is very reasonably priced.

Absolutely surreal. You can enter the park at 7AM in the summer time and I highly recommend getting there as early as possible. We were sweating a bunch by 9AM in July and it was barely over 80F. It surprised us as we are used to hot weather in Texas. Bring more water than you think you need.

This should be a must see for everyone! It is like no other thing no matter how many deserts or sand dunes you see nothing is quite like White sands as it is granite and not sand it's cold to the touch and it doesn't stick to you in the same way that sand does such a unique and incredible experience. I also recommend going when there are tours available and if you're going when there's not a lot of tours you should still definitely go on the sunset stroll it's very informational and interesting I haven't been to White sands in about 10 years and it was such a nice refresher so glad I went the first time and now and I hope to go back in the future!!

Such a beautiful day to spend at the park. Very little traffic, and once you go deeper down the drive just beautiful white dunes as far as you can see. Many spots to pull off, picnic tables for you to be able to enjoy lunch or snack. Spots for trailers or campers. At the beginning their is a nice informational spot talking about the wildlife there as well. Overall very cool spot to check out!

This park is a MUST! It is such a unique and gorgeous place. Definitely take a sled (not the saucer type, it didn’t seem to work as well). You don’t need shoes because the sand is cool. The sunsets are beautiful! There are plenty of places to park your car inside the park so keep driving and you can avoid a lot of people and have your own private dune!

What a beautiful place to check out the sand is amazing!! My feet were not hot touching that sand. It’s not that long of a walk and it’s a beautiful scenic drive highly highly recommend everyone seeing it and then check out the gift shop because they’ve got some excellent choices for memories or knickknacks, or take them gifts .

I love this national park and visited multiple times. It’s such a great place to slide down the sand dunes and visit with the family! They also provide free tours in the evening to explain how the sand dunes were created and the wildlife.

This was one of our stops on our road trip out west. We visited both Carlsbad NP and White Sands in the same day. Best viewed in the late afternoon- it was honestly the most incredible sunset I’ve ever seen.

An excellent place to spend an afternoon, absolutely otherworldly. Would recommend bringing a sled, worth it to spend an afternoon surfing the sand dunes. Evening around sunset or morning for sunrise makes for the best pictures and temperatures to enjoy. Can't miss while in Alamogordo!!

One of the coolest national parks I’ve been to. Crazy to see the endless sand dunes and just hearing about the history of the area. We did the longest hike here which is the Alkali Flat Trail which is a little under 5 miles round trip. Overall nice, there is signage but sometimes gets knocked down by the wind. Also there is zero shade so just be aware! Nice hike tho, just be prepared.

Ranger in the visitor center is very helpful, describe so much about park. We walk few trails. Evening took the sunset ranger guide tour, which is very informative. Sledge on sand is fun part on this park. Visitor center gift shop carry Sledge, which cost: new $25, used $23.

This was such an incredible experience. I had no idea how much of a special place this was going to be! I would definitely recommend watching the sunset here if you have the time. We got to the park about 5:30p and sunset started a little after 7:30p. I will for sure come back here.

Beautiful National Park/Monument next to Alamogordo in New Mexico. Not only unique because of its white sand dunes (formed with gypsum), the largest such field in the world, but also fun for the whole family. Young kids can enjoy sliding in the sand, the same way they do in the snow. For adults there are shorter and longer hikes that let you soak in the beauty of this place. Be aware though, sometimes the park is closed partially, or completely, because of a nearby air force base activities. You want to call them as close to the date of your visit as possible to confirm that they are open.

Beautiful views! Fun for the whole family. One of the best experiences is sliding down the dunes. It gets hot so arrive early enough (gate opens at 7 AM) with sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and lots of water.

1st, I highly recommend you to get a national Park pass.It's a great place no matter what's your interest.Join the evening sunset walk tour, it helps you understand the white sand better.Watch the 15 minutes' documentary at the museum theater is also helpful to get the sense.It's dog friendly, I wish I brought mind there.They also have camping sites.

Outstanding time!! Bring a large cooler with a picnic and lots of extra ice and water-- the kids will love it. It's hot but a lot of fun. There are picnic areas that have built in shade. Our kids ran from that to the sand hills to the AC in the car. Bring your own sleds as you pay 25$ each and it's the only option for miles around although I think some lodging provides free rentals...

As a wheelchair user myself I’m impressed with the spectacular view of the White Sands desert landscape. Since I didn’t plan on spending longer time at the park, I didn’t do the sledding activities. I did not go up onto the sand dunes, just driven through the scenic route. Plus, I don’t think I can fight the heat for more than 5 minutes(haha). It was really hot and dry. Even though, I really enjoyed the view of blue sky with different shapes of clouds and the bright white sand dunes that stretched across the horizon covered with those unique desert plants. Absolutely stunning! I wish all of my handicapped friends from Thailand could come and see this amazing piece of artworks from Mother Nature with their own eyes. I mean seeing picture is nice, but experiencing it with our own eyes is another level. The visitor center’s facilities are handicapped accessible. It has a small gift shop and museum but overall it serves the purpose of providing the information needed. The rangers are very friendly and helpful. I recommend the White Sands National Park. Absolutely worth spending your day here.

White Sands National Park is a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. The park is truly one of a kind.highly recommend visiting White Sands National Park during the cooler months, such as spring or fall. The weather is much more pleasant during these times of year, and you won't have to worry about the sand being too hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and wear comfortable shoes.

I have visited White Sands National Park a few times over the years. My most recent visit was February of last year and it had snowed which made for a unique visit. The snow was beautiful along the sand dunes. This is a very enjoyable park to explore and relax.

This is so different than any of the national parks I have visited till now. Seems like a different world. We went here for both sunrise and sunset and it was spectacular for both times! I personally loved it during sunrise…. The white gypsum was shining as the rays were reflecting from the crystals. They have an entry station from where you can buy the pass / show your annual pass. Walk into the white dunes to get a better view.

So beautiful! We had a fantastic time traipsing around the dunes. Bring a lot of water - even though we went in the winter and it was cool/chilly, we got very thirsty quickly. I recommend doing the trails closer to the visitor center - you learn a lot about the plants and wildlife. The playa trail was our favorite. If you’re not flying like we were, I would bring your own sled - they sell them (no rentals) and even the used ones are a little pricey. Sledding was very fun though, I highly recommend. We stayed for the sunset, which was really worth it. The gift shop has a great selection of postcards and sells stamps as well.

A very cool place to bring the kids and have lots of fun. I enjoyed the beauty of nature in a very white sandy environment.If you dare, the sand is also great for boogie board surfing. You can bring your own board or rent one at the park.

Mesmerizing landscapes make this park entirely worth a visit, especially when combined with Carlsbad and Guadalupe! There aren’t really many formal “trails” here, you can really walk anywhere and see beautiful “sandscapes”. The sand is incredibly fine and is remarkably smooth and silky. I’d probably avoid summertime as it will just be too hot, but other seasons would all be lovely!

I loved this national park. We did the sunset tour and the ranger was friendly and informative. The views are breathtaking, especially during sunset. They restrooms all over the loop and you could also have a picnic while at the park. The trails are well marked and lovely. The boys had a blast sledding. You can buy used sleds for $20 from the gift shop. New ones are about $25, if you return it at the end of the day you get a $5 store credit.

So for us this place was really really nice.... Walking around the dunes. Seeing all that happens there is definitely worth the trip. Amazingly enough when we were there an F-16 fighter jet crashed into the park. We happen to be right there and see the jet flame out, the pilot eject and the plane land over the dunes with a large plume of black smoke. That was definitely not the most exciting part of the trip but it was very interesting. And thank God that the pilot is okay.Parking is really easy all over the place. Great shade to have a snack and walk on the dunes. I would highly recommend hanging out at this place for a day!

A very unique place to visit! We had a great morning here. It’s one of those rare national parks where you can take your dogs on the trails, and there is plenty of space to drive your RV / trailer through the park and pull up at different trails and picnic areas throughout.

Such a beautiful place to visit. We did sledding in the morning (like 9am) and weather was perfect for end of March. We also returned for the sunset. We didn't do the ranger talk but came about 30m before sunset and walked around. It was incredible.

Loved it, returned to visit with family after 20 plus years. Many great improvements. Well maintained restroom facilities and shaded picnic tables. Better trails, asphalted entryway. Visitors Center very informative. Purchased Access Pass at Dunes Gate, great deal for the price. Plus Access to other locations included.Overall had a great time. Beautiful sunset over the distant mountains.Was planning to camp out but sites are currently unavailable due to upgrades. Would definitely recommend to all.

Absolutely beautiful. Photos don't do this place justice. We went two days and had a great time playing in the sand and walking on top of the dunes along the Alkali Trail. Be sure to bring lots of water sunscreen and sunglasses. It can get quite bright with the sun reflecting off the sand.

Despite some closures due to a recent incident, our visit to White Sands National Park was still memorable. We drove three hours from Carlsbad, NM to experience the renowned white sand landscape. Although sections were closed due to a U.S. Air Force F-16 jet crash, we made the most of our time, exploring for about an hour before heading back to Houston. It's a stunning place to visit, but make sure to pack sunscreen for the adventure!

What a unique place! No beach, just white sand for MILES. Definitely go and spend as long as you'd like. The further back into the park you go, the bigger the dunes. You can go sledding, or hike on them. The sand is blinding white, so be sure to bring sunglasses. It is also recommended that you bring sunscreen and water. While there are restrooms throughout the park, there are no water fountains past the entrance. So, be sure to bring a bottle with you. In the summer, I can see how it would be an absolute MUST to have water with you. It's $25.00 per private car, and $20.00 for a sled (optional). A small price to pay for such a great visit. Happy Traveling!

Completely mind blown. I didn't quite know what to expect going in, but I couldn't have fathomed this experience. What an awe inspiring place! The dunes are a blast to play on. The area wasn't crowded (late May), and the temp wasn't unbearable. The sand isn't normal sand, which meant it didn't stick to everything. Kids rolled around in it and played, but it just brushed right off. Great for the car!

A mesmerizing landscape of gleaming white gypsum dunes stretching endlessly. Explore the surreal beauty, sled down the slopes, and marvel at unique flora and fauna. An adventure-filled sanctuary offering tranquility and wonder, inviting all to experience nature's masterpiece in the heart of the desert.

Arrived before noon. Not too busy when we got there. A great experience for all ages.Brought our 5 dogs and they had a fun time!Definitely get there early or later in the day. Would love to go back for sunset.

Check the weather before you come! If it's windy, there may be blowing sand in the air. A truly majestic place; white sand dunes with stunning mountain views and vistas at every bend. You can spend an hour or so driving the full loop from the park entry or more time exploring the boardwalks and trailheads. Definitely worth the visit.

Thoroughly enjoyed this serene and beautiful park. There are sleds for rent for the kids or the adventurous adult that wants to slide down the pristine dunes. Me, I found a secluded dune and enjoyed the magnificent view of the mountains that I cannot find in Houston. Definitely a must visit if you are in the area. The only negative, the price of admission is pretty steep, but if you have a carload of people it makes better sense.

Amazing location and geographical marvel. Super fun place to visit, both during the day in the heat and also at sunset, when it cools down. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and explore. Bring sleds and have fun sledding down the dunes.

It is a very beautiful place to visit! Around the time that I went about 3 PM it was very fresh and towards 5PM it was much colder. Around 50° the sand felt very cool and it was such a beautiful sight to see. It was indeed a new experience ! They also have these plastic disks you can purchase to slide down steep dunes.

Not enough stars to rate this place. Incredible and unforgettable. I was lucky enough to have the Alkali flat trail all to myself early in the morning. Just me and sand. And wind. But mostly just me and the sand. I hope to return, but if not at least I got to experience this place once. Words don't do it justice.

Definitely recommended reading up on safety guidelines before visiting. Also the visitor center was very cool. Watch the video that they play as it gives wonderful information on the history and the wildlife. Stay hydrated, stay safe. Keep in mind with phones, cameras, shoes. And will get in everything. Bring towels to clean up before getting in your car unless you want half the desert to come with you. Lol we went barefoot most of the time because it's easier to walk and surprisingly the sand wasn't that hot. We got lucky as the airbnb we stayed at had sleds.

4.8

(15237)

5.0

(3635)

New Mexico, USA

+19 other lists

I have the biggest respect for the history and current Border Patrol. They work harder than any other LEO agency and deal with policy changes every 4 years . This museum is a wonderful tribute to all the fallen as well as all the history that has come from the criminals entering the US

We've been watching the Border Patrol on the Weather Channel so we decided to check out the museum while we were vacationing in El Paso!! We both loved it. Very interesting and informative!! Highly recommend a visit!!!

Stopped here for a geocache. Very friendly people and the museum is filled with facts, you could spend hours here. Very nice

This was way more interesting than I thought it would be! If you have the time it is worth checking out. It's not very big and doesn't take too long to go through... and it's free!

Great little free museum. They have several displays both inside and outside showcasing the history of the United States Border Patrol. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. They have displays showing vehicles, uniforms, equipment and various other pieces of the Border Patrol. This is a sure fire way to learn something new and get out of the heat for a couple of hours. Perfect for all ages!

First time here, and I have to say it blew me away!! The gift shop is a bit pricey for my empty wallet! Overall, it was a great experience and they have a lot of memorabilia. Don't miss it, give them a visit!!

We enjoyed viewing the history of the US Border Patrol (which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary this May). Wide variety of items in an historical and functional context.

Awsome place to visit and get the history of the men and women who patrol our borders. Amazing displays of all the contraband and all the equipment used for capturing this contraband. People have a distorted view of what the USBP does, and I am thankful they do what they do.

I stopped in here to see how my tax dollars were being wasted, but i was floored that this is all donation run and it is an AMAZING amount of learning packed into a little building! Not just about the border with Mexico, but also Canada and beyond. A lot of great exhibits and donated items from agents, cars, helicopter, plane! I have recommended this place to many people now! Amazing stop on a cross country trip!

What a wonderful hidden gem!! We learned so much about the history or the Boarder Patrol. Grateful to the men and women who protect our borders and look out for America. Learn about the animals that serve as well. This museum is free to tour, but donations are appreciated! The attendants are always willing to answer any questions and are very informative.A must add on your visit to El Paso!!

Visited from Vancouver, Canada. Great tour of the museum.

Entire history of the US border Patrol. Displays of cars and equipment as well as confiscated items. Interesting history. Memorial to all agents lost on duty as well.

This free museum tells the history of the Border Patrol and exhibits vehicles used by both BP and smugglers. Although the exhibits could stand some updates and professionalization, I always enjoy taking friends who come to visit. It's an important part of the picture of the border community.

An excellent and unique museum. It is a non profit run by volunteers and takes no tax or government money. The exhibits are unique and tell compelling stories. Our country is special and people without hope at home will try almost anything to make a home in the US. The Border Patrol works hard to keep things in check and as safe as possible.

Always wanted to go here and finally went a few years ago when i moved close to the area.It was a great experience for me and the missus! Decent sized museum- takes 1-2 hours to walkthrough.My favorites were the photo books of agents (saw some familiar people), class flags, and the shooting trophies donated by the pistoleros.Great gift store.I want to go back.

Cool museum dedicated to the history of Border Patrol and even before that. Every thing there is very interesting and it is definitely a learning experience. Highly recommend. They also have a small shop with very cool gifts/items.

4.7

(671)

4.5

(231)

4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX 79924, USA

Here at WSMR for work so I stopped in to walk around. Museum and V2 exhibit are closed but the missiles, rockets, planes and launchers are cool to see.

This post relates to the security rather than the museum ( I have been there before and it is great). To get to the museum, you must go through the Security Centre, which had a 25 minute line up; Although the museum stated it was open (through a text conversation minutes earlier, and I also asked a family that was leaving the site) the security office refused us entry due to the museum “being closed”: Conflicting information between the two. The security office had one person that was helpful and apologetic for the conflicting information, while the other was just plain rude. If you have time to deal with such issues, I would recommend, but be prepared to be turned away, seemingly at the whim of the security office. I would like to reiterate that the museum itself is worth the visit and this regards the security aspect only.

The museum is larger than I expected. Good displays and signage. It covers. The Bataan Death March info was particularly well done, I didn't know the NM connection. The outside displays are extensive. Many of the signs need to be replaced.

Excellent displays in a confusing arrangement. Good historical information a bit on natives and old wars, a lot on nuclear weapons.On arrival we were informed we couldn't drive up, so no vehicle info needed!Don't believe Google directing you to a southern gate. Use only the LA Cruces gate off hwy 70!The museum door said closed but several folks were going in and out.All very disorganized!

If you are not military assigned to base or civilian working on base, you will only get to see the museum and the mountains. You will also have to go through a background check to get a pass to do that. You must have a TSA valid ID. If you have wants and warrants out for your arrest, I wouldn't take the chance. They are serious about security. The museum is awesome. They have all kinds of rockets and rocket launchers. Fun history trip.

The open walk around Missile Museum shows the journey of missile technology from one if the earliest ones to 1990s. Great for kids with curiosity of science.

Absolutely 5 stars...put your hands on everything from the "fat man" nuke to the AIM9. Awesome display area!

Very interesting stop. You must check in with the office, show your drivers license and have a photo taken. Then you are permitted to walk through the gates following the sidewalk to the museum which is indoors. There is also a viewing area outside with all sorts of missiles and planes to look at. The reason for 4 stars is ALL of the bathrooms were out of order!

Brilliant museum covering the history of the US missile programs as well as the history of this region of the country. Any military enthusiasts will really enjoy this experience. Kids also enjoy looking at the missiles but they might not enjoy the indoor museum as much

Very interesting Museum. Lots of historical information. Enjoyed the displays!

Great museum! Some signs have dried up from the sun and need replaced

Great free museum! The missile park outside was epic and informative. The museum has lots of information and a good variety of displays. Not much hands on for kids, but our six year old was still engaged the entire time we were here. You have to stop and get a quick background check, so bring IDs for all adults.

Very expansive indoor museum as well as a paved outdoor museum with information at each stop. Must register at the gate, but it is open to the public.

What a wonderful place to watch for everyoneI strongly recommend all science students must watch thisFor US CITIZENS need your id and SSNIf you need to drive up to the museum take your vehicle registration and insurance with youFor NON CITIZENS take your valid passport and visa the process will take around 10 minutesIn both cases they will print your admission ticket including your photo on itNon citizens needs to walk up to the museum less than five minutesTake water with youOne thing I noticed was lack of parking 🅿️ spaceBut this is a must watch placeIt’s free of cost

Park just before the gate and present your driver’s license, social security number along with a picture to get approval to go to the missile park. It is located to the left which you must access by a walkway. The museum is closed, but an array of missiles are located just behind. A note of caution: Photos can only be taken at the park and under no circ*mstances can you take pics of the staffers.

Enjoyed seeing all the outside missiles, there was a lot of history to see. The inside museum was closed today at 2, would have enjoyed seeing that. Had a great visit.

4.4

(451)

4.5

(410)

White Sands Missile Range, Wsmr P Rt 1, White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002, USA

26 lists

This was a super fun place to visit. A large number of live farm animals make it an adventure to see. A lot of significant history on display to enjoy. Great indoor museum as well. Highly recommended.

Totally awesome! Before you can walk in the door there's two beautiful horned owls in the rafters and then it just gets better after that. It far exceeded my expectations. Totally recommend a place to go to.

Beautiful campus and museum. The facility was clean and quiet—no wait time at all. They offer discounted entry for Active Military. Exhibits are interactive and offer descriptions and timelines. There’s an activity corner for kids, includes books and a small but fun play structure…my boys loved driving the tractor and handling the chicken eggs! The animals were not visibly out and about during our visit, but it was hot outside. Instead we watched the blacksmith show how to make an iron hook, and he let my middle son keep the hook as a souvenir for being very vocal during his presentation. Blacksmith was very friendly and informative during the presentation, we highly recommend giving him ten minutes of your time.

Lovely (free w/ admission) open air tour on a comfortable 8 passenger electric cart. Bob is SO knowledgeable and was full of anecdotes and jokes.Exhibits change all the time and once back inside, we strolled through the "Ranches to Rockets" exhibit which was in it's last week. And then admired the display of hummingbird photography in the hall near the meeting rooms.Great gift shop, welcoming staff!

Wonderful place. Lots to learn and see. Great for kids!

Took the kids and grandma. Everyone had such a great time. The staff is super attentive. What a great place. Can’t believe after living in LC three decades, it was my first visit. Highly recommend!

Super cute little farm to visit to see the animals and experience the history! Reasonably priced as well for the entry! I went for the gem show they had and it was a lot of fun!

It was a quaint museum. There was no one there. I’d expected to see something interesting for kids, but the whole place was devoid of people and workers. There were no hands on exhibits except for checkers and the farm equipment was mostly a parking lot. The indoor play area was interesting.I expected a lot more about how life was lived on a ranch, but it was more about biographies and items recent enough to be seen outside a museum if you have family which are country. What you see in the photos is really all there is to see.

We loved it! So affordable and such a darling place! We loved seeing all the animals, walking around the museum areas, the dairy area, shopping at the mercantile and playing on the kids areas. Really family friendly here and we would come back. We spent 5 hours and my kids could have stayed longer but we stayed till closing time 🤣. We would recommend! My twins are 4 years old for reference.

This is an interesting museum. The main gallery had many interesting facts and artifacts, me and my daughter spent most of our time there. Good expedition about the life of Billy the kid.But there were a few things that didn’t work or were closed. For example the kids room was closed for maintenance, which was disappointing, and the diary quiz in the dairy barn was out of order. Another thing that was disappointing was that the last time we were here there was a real cow in one part of the dairy barn, but this time there was only a fake plastic cow.In conclusion, this is a nice one time place to go to. If you’re ever in town, that can be interesting for any age, which might take about 2 hours.

Impeccable exhibitions. Family friendly. Very affordable. Recommended!

Stopped by the museum on a road trip with the family and we absolutely loved it. It’s very well curated and you get way more than what you pay for. I recommend going early to see everything this museum has to offer.

It was okay. The staff wasn’t so friendly and I felt bad the animals looked miserable in this heat.

Love loved it! Can’t believe I just made it out. We live about 45 min away. Our kids loved it.

My husband and I go every chance we can just to walk the grounds and see the new events and things at the museum. Great place to take the family. Haven't met a person we didn't like yet! Most times we don't have to pay to walk around and look at things. We visit the farm animals, look at the antique farm equipment and pay a visit to the blacksmith. Other times we pay $5 to enter a special event. Not bad at all! The last event we attended there was $5 a carload. It was the 2018 Home Grown a New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market. LOVED it!

Simply amazing a must see needs more marketingBUTThe staff was less than friendly. The two people behind the counter to pay in the lobby seemed to ignore as both delt with someone together while others waited without acknowledgement.The lady in the gift section was on the phone with clearly a friend talking about recent event and never spoke.

Very impressive musuem with lots to see and do. For only 7 dollars i felt like they could charge more for the experiences and sights you get to see. Friendly staff and super clean facilities inside and outside. Loved it here and you wont be disapointed if you come .

An interesting place to visit. It seems to concentrate mostly on the immediate areas farm and ranch land history. I was surprised and intrigued to see a lot of information regarding the white sands missile range and it’s influence on the local area. There were also displays showing early Native American farming and building practices. Apparently there are a lot of outside displays also, but we felt the middle of the day was not a good time to explore those.It was sometimes a little difficult to find information regarding some of the displays, so if you’re interested, keep looking, information is there, just not always right by the display.

We had this on our itinerary before we got to Elpaso, however once we got there we were driving on the highway and saw a billboard reminding us of this Farm and Museum.This place is great for all ages, it is an active farm so it has the outdoor animal part, explaining what animals are what ( example, has like 10 kids of sheep), has a great exhibit on the cows and what they do with their milk.This place has a great and cute kids area as well. Lastly, they have many exhibit's how farming and life in NM used to look back in the olden times.If I'm back in the region I would not hesitate to stop by again.

Amazing museum …. Dan provided a great tour of the property … immaculately designed, set up and cared for space … very interesting animals, history and look into NM ranch life. Highly recommend Thanks!

4.6

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4.5

(396)

4100 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA

3 lists

Beautiful little quick educational stop for the kids especially when your nick names Billy the kid lol

Such a great spot to hang out. The atmosphere is fantastic and there are tons of shops around the plaza to visit. Also appreciate the shade and benches to sit while taking a break, especially in this heat.

Nice historic plaza. Lots of arts and crafts and tourist stuff. The Basilica should not be missed. Several good eating places

We were traveling and visited the farmers / flea market on a Sunday morning in mid February.Vendors still setting up hour after opening. Low season? The big impact was churchie choir loud enough I couldn't have a conversation with a vendor. Parking is tough.

Small, shaded, with benches and some historical markers. Gazebo in the middle. Church at the end.

Wonderful place. You can walk and enjoy the nice stores are around and go to one of the nice restaurants are there La Posta, Double Eagle...

Central plaza with a very small town feel. Unique stores and gift shops. Great market in the center on Sunday. Church bells ringing at the Basilica are beautiful.

Wonderful historical place to visit.

I only gave it 4 stars, because as a tourist I would have loved to see the shops open in the morning

Great historical place good for tourists in all local people every day of the week they've got something going on and plus on weekends you must visit

Beautiful area and at the plaza, theres a vibrant music playing, people selling jewerly and stuff and friendly as well...what a lovely day when i was there.. town has some restaurants to eat too, there are olso shop to check for souvenirs and of cors the beautiful church there.. hope i can stay longer😊**Parking a bit of hard to find in the area on weekend tho*

I love walking there when I used to live in Las Cruces. It was so fun before covid-19. And love the chocolate lady and ice cream. The Old Barrel Tea place. I love pepper mint and the pine apple coffee tea. And the Orange honey 🍯. I keep it on my pantry for my health.

Love this plaza for it's rich history and good shopping for south west goods. Also love the 100+ year old church, absolutely beautiful.

One of our favorite places to visit. So much history and culture. It never gets old.

The Mesilla Plaza is always open, beautiful, and charming. We were there for the Christmas Tree lighting. The visitor benches were out and filling with happy families. One of the local businesses was serving cookies and hot chocolate.

We spent a couple of hours here on a Sunday morning before everything started. Church service was in progress and they had loud speaking broadcasting the service into the plaza where people can participate outdoor. Walked around the plaza filled with history. Wish we had more time to enjoy a meal at one of those restaurants there.

Nice historical area where you can learn about the history of the southwest and how New Mexico became part of the US. The plaza is part of a Historic District and is a national historic landmark. It's a nice spot to sit and relax. Billy the Kid was put on trial and sentenced to hang at the old County Courthouse which is now the corner gift shop.The Historic District is filled with tourist shops that includes a book store, chocolate shop, pecan store, and other specialty shops. There are many restaurants and a couple of wineries. Love the quaint architecture of the area. The Basilica of San Albino is across from the plaza and has been on existence since 1851.

Cool historical spot with some cute shops. There is local music and events as well on occasion. Pretty for some quick photos and visit.

Very cute little plaza! We went on a Sunday right after the church service got out. It was pretty hot but still enjoyable. There were vendors around the square on the sidewalks which it was fun to walk around and see all the talent. All the shops around the square were nice and the people were kind. I would definitely be back again!

Had some time to spend so I went to Old Mesilla. I got some tea at the tea shop and went to confession and mass at the old church. I highly recommend both.I visited the parish bookstore and found they have a grotto in back with a statue of Mary, and they are installing a colundarium next to the grotto.The area is pleasent to walk around with plenty of shops and restaurants. Across the main road is a place that sells dried 🌶 among other things. I didn't stop there today and don't remember the name, unfortunately. But the red chilli sauce we made from their chillies turned out very well. The building looks like it's out of the old west complete with dirt floors.

Great spot to spend a day out by just walking around this historic plaza, it has different types of stores, restaurants, cafes, sweets, tea, gift shops, bookstore, gallery.... U may be able to find some really nice and unique items.

4.7

(961)

4.5

(1006)

Calle Principal, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA

Excellent museum! It worth our time there. The staff was very helpful and they have a great gift shop. Leave a generous donation as you enter. There was alot thought and effort to make such a great museum possible.

What a jewel of a find in Deming! This museum rambles on multiple floors and features something for everyone! From the Hiroshima doll to the gem collection and beyond, my husband and I were truly entertained. The staff is friendly and helpful and their gift shop has special, affordable selections. (We got a nice New Mexico cross there. )

This Museum surprised me with their collection. They need to write an article on Texas Highways about it. I could have stayed there all day, so many great collections. I highly recommend it. Take your kids, take your time reading and enjoy the collections. I fell in love with Deming. I will make the drive yearly and definitely stop here. Everyone was so friendly and hospitable.

Highly recommended!! Amazing place to stop by on a road trip!! Incredible exhibition and nice, friendly staff. So much to look at, great place to learn about Mimbres Native Americans’ history and lots of other things. Spent 3+ hours visiting and quite a few bucks at the cute gift shop. The railroad timetable rack was my favorite spot.这是非常棒的小小博物馆！走过路过请不要错过！

An unexpected treat. Staff were great and museum was awesome. Not only items and info from Deming, but truly across the world. An amazing doll collection, the pottery artifacts, the geodes oh my! Learned some about my roots too, had no idea Czechoslovakian immigrants settled in the area. We only planned 2 hours, plan 4 hours to read more. Admission is free, but donations welcome. Highly recommend making the stop.

Excellent museum! A must stop if you're in the area. No fee, donations accepted. Take your time, there's lots to see. Volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable. Nice little gift shop, too!

This museum is an absolute gem! My dad and I were on our way back to Phoenix from New Mexico and I looked up "Military museums" since my dad is a huge fan of all things military. This museum popped up in my search and since it was so highly rated and was right off the I-10, there was no reason not to stop by (plus, it's free!). And we were so happy we did. We were both so impressed by the building, the exhibits that cover a vast array of subjects, the impeccably kept facility, and the super friendly and helpful staff. This museum is so unassuming from the outside, then when you go in and start to walk the building and the exhibits just go on and on! I highly recommend the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum! You could really spend hours in there!

For a town of 15,000, this is an amazing historical collection. From ancient (and lost) Indian cultures to Deming in World War II, they have extensive collections. While not the Louvre or British Museum, it is a very impressive museum that likely rivals anything in the entire US southwest. If you go through Deming and you like history, this is a must stop.

Very impressive collection of artifacts from western and American history. Displays add an extra flair to the memorabilia.Paul and June were very friendly, helpful and offered interesting information.Truly a hidden gem☺️

4.8

(456)

5.0

(298)

301 S Silver Ave, Deming, NM 88030, USA

Really enjoyed our stay here. We camped in a water electric site. Lots of room. Nice setup. Saw lots of roadrunner and jackrabbit. Also, field rabbits, lizards, numerous birds and tarantulas.Lots of life and views for days. The kids loved climbing all over the rocks.The drive to Gila dwellings was very doable and a beautiful drive.The only letdown was that we had to drive to the dump after to release our tanks on our rv.

Amazing place to camp!The massive boulders/ rocks that this campground is in are so impressive. We opted for the dry camp because the sites were do much more private and unique. The trails and wild life were wonderful. Can't say enough about this place.Cell service w/ Verizon hotspot .was good

Pull thru RV sites, with water, electricity, covered large aluminum tables and a feeling of privacy; easy check in, beautiful scenery, clean and friendly Park Rangers. The park office was not open the 3 days I camped but a Ranger was very helpful and sold me ice when I asked. The rock formations, trails and pathways are easy walking, well labeled with the flora and geology and picturesque and unusual.

Fun place to stop for a couple of hours or to camp overnight. There are reservation sites with electricity and water or dry spots for tents. Very clean. Bathrooms with showers available near the visitor center.History showing how the "city" was formed inside the visitor center is great. Kids love climbing on rocks and exploring. There are a number of marked paths throughout the park and walking on the rocks easy too.$5/vehicle fee to visit.

An unexpected side trip while staying in Deming, NM. Very quiet because it was warm, but the rangers said it's busy as it cools down. Unique rock formations.

This is a fun place to visit. Nice campsites tucked in between the rocks. Showers and clean bathrooms at the Visitor Center, clean vault toilets around the rest of the park. Road is accessible for cars, you don't need an SUV, or truck. Service was spotty(Verizon and T-mobile).

A very cool park , tons of fun hiking through the boulders , very clean and quiet . We didn’t make a reservation but there are a few first come first serve spots . Also a nice day trip to gila cliff dwellings .

What a cool , just incredible place , it appears mother nature left her own version of Stone Henge out here in the southern New Mexico desert. Not often noted or advertised in travel literature , but oh so worth the drive to see . We just stopped to take a look , but we're envious of the folks camping here on sights in between the rocks. One of the biggest highlights of our week , while visiting and seeing everything there is to see in Southern New Mexico .

Driving in was truly amazing seeing campsites tucked into the rocks as if it’s receiving energy. My wife and 4 leg companion enjoy our time here and have made the trip a few times, never disappointed. The rangers are friendly helpful and full of knowledge they have an on-sight shower. The sky views are truly breathtaking.

This has day use for $5 and camping sites, primitive or electric. It has several trails for hiking and primitive sites are right in the rocks... Very Cool!! We just went for day but might return to camp someday. It was fun climbing in and through all the rocks. Worth the fee!!

We loved this park! From the campground (not a bad spot! The rocks are in the middle of the sites so choose based on sunrise/sunset preference!), to the clean showers/restroom, friendly visitors centre staff, wonderful sunsets and sunrises, petroglyphs, just 45m to Silver City … can hardly wait to come back

We stopped for the day and loved walking among all the rocks. There are camp sites in and around the rocks which makes each site very unique. Be sure to stop in the visitor center for a short 10 minute video and lots of information about the park and the geology of the park The Ranger today 10/18/23 was so informative and friendly.

Oh my goodness, I loved this place. I could live here; the rocks were amazing! There are quite a few hiking trails to explore. It's so quiet here. Around 4am each morning I could hear a hooty owl; it was really cool! If I lived in New Mexico, I would have a state park pass and come here annually; it was that great! But, this is a great place to come and just spend the day. The staff that working at the visitors center were friendly and helpful. Never saw a rattlesnake, but it was a great place to bird watch. Make sure you have plenty of gas and food when you come as the closest place is 30 miles away.

So...first of all... part of me doesn't want to write this review.... because this place is so magical that I want to keep it to myself! But I'll be fair because someone told ME about it. The campsites all rock, pun intended. The night sky is vertiginous and vast! The rocks are just amazing. There's a great 3.5 mile trail that circles the campground.Now.... facilities.... There are a number of restrooms, such that there's likely going to be one near your campsite. There are free hot showers at the visitor's center that are available 24/7, except during cleaning, of course. Ocatillo and cacti were in bloom when we were there recently, which added a pop of color. It's magical enough that we made more reservations before we left.Faywood hot springs is super close, and Esperanza Winery is too.Check it out. You won't regret the choice!

Deducted one star for shower availability. Very unique place. 2 to 3 nights max is all you need. If you're staying on a site on the west side, there's a high probability you're going to get blasted by sand when the wind kicks up. If you stay on the east side you may be sheltered a little bit by the rocks. I had a miserable time in some unbelievable wind the first day and the last day. The only showers are at the visitors center; In the men's room, only one shower was available; the other one was out of service with a sign on it that said they don't know when it will be fixed. The water temperature cannot be adjusted and it is only tepid. So, there is only one single shower for the entire campground for men. All the restrooms throughout the campground are pit toilets. There are water spickets spread out throughout the campground to fill up your tanks. People frequently recommend to visit Silver City, but I was not impressed. It's basically a run down somewhat gritty town with a little charm. You may or may not like it.

Unique state park. Beautiful rock formations to hike around. Park has showers and restrooms as well as a visitor center. Some of the sites are a bit challenging to back into if you are towing a trailer. Extremely windy while I was there. I'm told that is not unusual.

What a great experience for our whole family and for only $5! The restrooms at the visitors center have running water ,but the ones throughout the park don't. They are more outhouse style. We took about 1 hour to explore. Recommend taking hiking boots to climb the rocks.We saw they have electric and water camp sites . Some are 1st come 1st served.

We RV camped in this state park two separate times during our road trip. We loved the park! Bathrooms, hot showers, firewood and ice for sale and a nice ranger station with exhibit. We wish there was a better way to know what sites are available and which ones are “first come, first served”. They are not marked on the map, plus old papers often stick around at site boards giving impression the spot is taken. Sites 43-42 not marked on the main loop, and invisible off the road - we got 43 twice - campers just pass by not realizing there are two spots there! Not at all visible off the road. Also when I asked over the phone what we do if all are taken, the lady told me there is nothing we can do but other campers were told they can stay on the parking for the garden as an “overflow”. There is also an RV parking near hot springs in case you waste a trip (20 miles off Route 10 one way- rented campers have daily limit, so wasted trip would really be a disappointment).The park is magical! Wood fires allowed! Bathrooms clean! Hook up sites are not in a picturesque area among the boulders but a little off and cramped together. So we opted out and stayed in a hidden 43. Loved the boulders!! Highly recommend. This park was a highlight of our trip (east coasters RV roadtrip during spring break). Ranger station and phone close at 5pm.

What an amazing place!! It was a wonderful experience to wander through the City of Rocks. I wish I would have experienced this place as a young boy! Well kept campground and great people. 10 out of 10

Awesome park and campground!I only stayed one night (wish I stayed longer actually!) and chose the campsite ("1 booties" on their website/"1 bootes" on the campsite sign) directly across from the visitor centre as I wanted to be close to the washroom & shower. The spot was super spacious and equipped with a firepit, picnic table, grill and secured garbage can. It felt very private with the rocks surrounding it and I got lucky with not having any neighbours beside me. I did the Hydra Trail hike around the site and it was so pretty, especially with all the snow that day! I would definitely stay here again for longer.

Rock formations seem to come out of nowhere. Great camping options. Electric and water sites are huddled together near the entrance and are spacious and well maintained.Lots of unique options for camping right up against the rocks are available. They are dry campsites but well worth the spectacular sunsets and more private.Trails are great. Hike or bike.Did I mention the sunsets? It’s soooo peaceful there.Bathrooms with showers are very clean. Nice visitors center.Note: no dump site at the park. Down the road at Deming there is a free dump station at the Valero gas station. It’s to the left of the lot as trucks exit their gas pump.Will definitely come back.

LOVE this place! There's hookups available but I choose to camp among the rocks. Beautiful place to explore, you keep finding hidden gems, passageways, cave type structures n petroglyph. Trash cans at every site. Clean showers with really hot water. Trails for walking or biking. Friendly staff. I'll definately be going back.

This is one of the best places we have stayed. Our site was dry camping but secluded and interesting set back in the amazing rocks that hive this place its name. No noisy neighbors because we were tucked away. The bike/hike trails are easy to medium because of the random rocks and washes. The restroom and showers, well, cleanish- and luke warm😔(someone washed their dog and didn't bother to clean up, at least I hope that was dog hair all over!🫣)but overall, ok. Other things to see are the Gila Cliff dwelling National Park and Faywood Hotsprings

What a strange place! Very cool. I was there after the visitor center closed so I just drove the road that looped the area. It was a little difficult to tell where I was allowed to be as a day visitor rather than a camper. The hiking trails weren't clearly marked and were difficult to find without talking to someone at the visitor center. Even so, I was able to find a pull off spot that seemed ok to park at and wandered around the rocks in a way that I think didn't bother any campers. It's a very beautiful and strange boulder field in the middle of grasslands with mountain ranges in the distance. It's worth seeing. Pay the $5.

This will be in my permanent list of places to revisit. You can camp among the huge boulders. Most sites are well separated from each other. There is Electric hookups, but you're close together. Vault toilets, trash, water n hot showers available 24/7. Only con was the visitor center was open only 1x out of the 4 days I was there. I caught them coming bk from lunch, around 2pm. Lots of hiking, or slow walking trails available. Get your map of The petroglyph locations from inside the visitor center.

4.8

(1424)

4.5

(386)

327 NM-61, Faywood, NM 88034, USA

1 list

Beautiful hidden gem! Campground is beautiful and with lots of shade, which is a true blessing in the heat of the summer, which is when we went. If you can go on cooler months, I recommend that, since there are no electrical hookups to turn on the AC (as is typical of most national parks). Great little visitor center. The place has some spectacular sights and formations. Hiking trails are very well marked. Loved this park!

What a uniquely beautiful park. A great day trip from Tucson. Not too crowded either. We hiked the Echo Canyon Loop and it was perfect. The Grottoes were cool and easy to navigate through with glimpses of the rock formations beyond. Truly magnificent

This review is for Echo Canyon Loop which was a ~3.2 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to complete.Extremely cold and windy! Rocky with some inclines. Stunning rock formations from beginning to end!Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/EwHjPu2PLpw

This place is absolutely amazing, you’ve never seen anything like this place. The rocks are so strange and interesting looking. This place is a must see if you’re in south eastern Arizona. Driving through the park looking up at these rocks feels incredible!

We have been camping in the Bonita camp grounds since1985 and have returned just about every year. All trails and scenery is just unbelievable. Check at the Ranger station about hiking trailer( time distance ect.) Trails are good but good hiking boots or shoes are needed. I prefer to take a walking stick lot steps and loose rock. WATER! Make you have it. Arizona can very unforgiving! A place you will be talking about for many years

This is an absolutely spectacular park in South Eastern Arizona with an unexpected landscape unlike anything I've seen before. The visitor center has information on the park history and area wildlife as well as detailed hiking guides from easy to strenuous. We took the popular Echo Canyon Loop that gives a great overview of various geologic and environmental points of interest in the park, but there are definitely longer options if you are in the mood to take it to another level.This park also has amazing dark skies being close the three hours from Phoenix so consider camping out to see some spectacular stars.Visitor center has flushing toilets and many of the trailheads have pit toilets, but no running water so make sure you are prepared!

Such a cool place, you can even get a little gift for hiking a certain amount of miles and taking a few pictures on the way. Ask the staff about it before going out and hiking. This place is free too which is great. I could have stayed here for even longer. The landscape is unlike any other I've seen. Definitely check this place out.

CNM was amazing. Side tracked here on a road trip. Super glad I did. Drove through and hiked a few trails. Amazing views with no other people around. The trails, caves and rock formations were great. There's plenty of parking and clean vault bathrooms.

We drove through the campground. Very clean with metal food storage containers in each. Going on up to the point, the views are amazing with informative points of interest. Restrooms were very clean. We will go back.

This place is SO FREAKING COOL!!!! It’s awesome! The cool alien rocks, comprised with the unique sky island vegetation make for an unforgettable experience. I hiked to the Natural Bridge, and also did the loop through the Grottoes and Echo Canyon. Lots of elevation gain on both of those, and the Natural Bridge is neat, but nothing super spectacular. Great hikes and a great place, and there was hardly anyone there on a Sunday! I can’t believe this place is free it’s just too cool.

Cool spot to take in. You can drive through, make time for hiking, and even camp. The campgrounds are great! We saw wildlife as well. I’ve heard it’ll become a Nat’l Park. I personally wouldn’t put it at that level of greatness, but it IS a neat place.

What can I say that everyone else hasn't said about Chiricahua NM? If you are in the area, don't think about it...just do it! I loved my trip to this park/monument. It's amazingly beautiful, very nice hikes and wasn't busy since it's a hidden gem. It was well worth the drive and the highlight of my trip to Tucson (besides seeing a friend of mine who was also on the hike). I cannot wait to go back and do some more hiking and sight seeing!

Another amazing in AZ. This is one of my favorite place. this place is hard to get to but well worth my time. The drive up is a little difficult and can be cold during chilly days, but once i get to the top will be in awe of how the ice changed the rock formations in remarkably unique ways.just walk into the formations about 100 feet and you will feel transported to another time and place. this is the must.

Five stars doesn't cover the awesome factor of this six star park! The geology is gorgeous and as interesting as anything you'd find in a more famous Utah park. The campground is clean, quiet, and easily accessible. The trails are mostly interconnected and guide you through some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. Although out of the way, Chiricahua should be a required detour for everyone on I-10

You can drive high up and get fantastic views from the parking lot, so very accessible to anyone that can get in a car. We packed sandwiches and ate at the picnic tables there. There are plenty of trails, but the half mile loop at the top offers amazing scenery without much difficulty.

Had a great time checking this place out last winter. I had been wanting to visit for a long time and made it out after a visit to Bisbee. Super interesting history and would love to spend a few days hiking and exploring. Just did the drive to the top and walked to a lookout. Need to research and find some cool hikes and if you camp/backpack anywhere close. I would love to go back maybe on the way to NM or Texas some day.

Great hiking of all levels. Beautiful views and a variety of wild life. You can sit and hear nothing but the wind building up. Will definitely return.

Great place to visit! Hikes are easy! Kid friendly at the visitor center! Picnic spots and camping! Tons of wildlife and historic buildings as well as some really unique views

Started at Massai Point. The descent was met with a village of rock formations. It seemed like an nice easy hike. Was able to see cave like structures and hike on snow/ ice capped trails. Very slippery but was able to hug some rocks to get through. I enjoyed the experience.Dogs unfortunately are not allowed on trails. Hike would have been better with my furbaby . There are bathrooms located in the parking area. There are picnic areas on top of massai point. I did notice an occasional bench to sit on while on scenic walking trail.

Our group went on a hike in January and it was one of the most amazing hikes I've done in Arizona. There are so many different landscapes and formations to explore, and the hike can easily be done in a day. 10/10 recommend this one!

We took a 3 1/2 mile hike on this, our first visit to Chiricahua National Monument. It was the Echo Canyon Loop Trail. Such beautiful scenery, and the first hoodoos we’ve seen since Bryce Canyon. Now we live in Sierra Vista, 2 hours away. Adding 4 hours of drive time means visiting Chiricahua is an almost all day affair. Worth it! The trail is rated Moderate, and I was tired by the last mile or so, but admittedly I’m not in the best shape after several injuries in recent years. Not a lot of loose rocks to have to walk on and plenty of room to move out of the way for other hikers. Some shade in spots but mostly in the sun. Bring lots of water and sunscreen! There’s a restroom in the parking lot, not a large amount of parking spots but typical of most parks. I highly recommend it! There are several trails to choose from, Echo Canyon Loop included the Grotto. Enjoy!

This hidden gem is perhaps Southeastern Arizona's best kept secret. It's easily my favorite National Monument. Spent the better part of the morning and afternoon exploring this "Wonderland of Rocks!" I was in utter awe of just how beautiful this place is. I was surprised that for much of the day, I rarely saw anyone here. I hiked the Echo Canyon trail down to the Grottes. Boy, was I blown away by what I saw there! The beauty of erosion at its finest. Can't wait to come back and explore more of this enchanting place!

Absolutely amazing landscape! It’s worth going out of your way to see. Go to Massai Point to get a view from the top, overlooking the scale of this place. The echo canyon trail provides a nice loop that lets you walk through the monument and see it from the top, the bottom, and right in the middle.

Our family drove over for the day from Tucson. The weather was beautiful, even a little chilly on the mountain in early April. THe drive was over 2 hours but definitely worth it to see the rock formations and to hike to the grottoes on the Echo Canyon trail.Parking is an issue; if they become a National Park instead of a Monument, then I am not sure how they would handle the additional people; probably a shuttle service would be required.The visitor center is nice and has a small gift shop. The ranger who did the Junior Ranger program was really kind to my girls. I cannot recall his name, but he was new to the park, just a few weeks. He was very helpful and friendly.There is no restaurant or food in the park so come prepared. Also, there are also only a few picnic tables once you pass the first area before the visitors center. A few more along the pullouts on the scenic drive would be great.

The Grand Canyon of southeastern Arizona.Great hikes, great views. The campground is full unless you advance. Turn right just before entering the entrance, drive a bit and enjoy cattle country and more solitude in some open camping areas. No RVs. Quiet and peace. Drive back to the entry and enjoy the marvels of nature. My favorite place in AZ.

Amazing Hoodoos. Very helpful volunteers and Rangers. Nicely placed sites in the trees. Big rigs may have difficulty here. We have a truck camper and parked in site 11 with some leveling required. Lots of deer casually roaming through our site Made reservations online. Great quiet spot with hoodoos behind us. Beautiful scenic drive with beautiful views and hiking trails. No hookups with water nearby and bathrooms. Thank you for a great stay!

Beautiful place, amazing views of the rock formations from the bottom of the canyon and breathtaking views from the top of the mountain. I could stay here for hours and stare at different shapes of the rock. The Massai point 6870 ft is truly spectacular. A couple of hiking trails from the top and a couple of picnic tables. There are pit toilets at the trailheads. The place is dog friendly but you can take your dog for walk only on Bonita Creek trail .

Pleasant surprise and gorgeous! Arrive to lower parking lot by 9:00 am and a park ranger will take you to the top so you can hike down to your car. Bring water and food, its a very full day of hiking!

This National park was off the beaten path but worth a visit. I hiked the Rhyolite trail to Hearts of Rocks loop and back, 7.2 miles. This trail was a moderate/easy trail with many interesting views of rock formations. On the loop portion, a beautiful view of the valley can be found. And many interesting traverses thru rock pillars. Definitely bring enough water.

GO! DO NOT STOP! GO!Take the South Apache Pass to 186 / 181 to drive to the park…you get an appreciation of the terrain. We arrived at CNM Park @ 10 AM and started hiking @ 11:30AM. Throughout our 10 + mile , 5 hour hike we were constantly amazed by the Beauty of this park and region. We are planning on returning there on our next adventure.

Simply spectacular ! If you are anywhere in Southern AZ do yourself a favor and visit this place . The majesty of the formations and the views are rivaled only by those of the grand canyon . Google reviews lead us to this journey and it worked out perfect so please follow along specially if you are concerned about tackling a trail . My wife and I are in our 50s and we decided to do the Echo Canyon trail down to the Grotto and back . I have to say that it was easier than expected and there were even folks in their 60s and 70s doing this stretch of the trail . It took us about an hour round trip . Make sure and bring water , a camera , and walking sticks if you have balance issues . my wife had a broken ankle a few years ago and she still takes it easy but I bought her a pair of hiking sticks at Costco for $30 and she raved about how easy it was to walk the trails with them . Truly , the pictures don’t do this place justice . There is only one road in and out so no guessing where to go as it is all well laid out and there are signs to guide you along as well . Do not attempt to bring a large RV or travel trailer as the hairpins are tight and the parking is limited . Finally , there are no services out here . No where to buy food , water , or fuel so come prepared . After our hike we drove up to Massai point and parked . When we looked over the edge there was a look out area that was a very short walk down but again , just an amazing view to experience. There is a lot more that we didn’t do but this was enough for us to experience on this day at Chiricahua National Monument.

4.9

(1969)

5.0

(862)

12856 East Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA

1 list

Very interesting historic site. They want people to hike in and get some history while on the trail. The visitor center is small and I found the staff to be friendly.The hike is not arduous, and they have signs throughout the trail to tell you about the area’s history

Excellent! It is a loop trek. Start off on the ruins trail and taking the ridge trail back (located behind vistor center). This trek takes you through other ruins, cemetery, and other historical markers. Easy, until the moderate ridge trail (loose rocks, incline, and switchbacks).If you are unable to hike at least 3 miles, you can take the handicap access road. This takes you to the vistor center and fort. To see it all, it can be about 6 miles.Lots to take in. Count on spending at least half a day. Lots of sun exposure, bring water and check the weather.

We arrived AT closing after realizing (too late) that you had to hike in. Luckily, we got a tip from the Rangers at Chiricahua--THANK YOU!--to park at the Accessible entrance (only 500 ft from the Visitor Center).Not only did the Ranger there (Suzanne?) stay a little longer for us to look around but also took extra time to help us finish our Jr. Ranger booklet! She was SO kind and understanding and helpful! Left to take down the flag as we finished rocking on the porch before leaving.Amazing history here!!!!

I really liked the hike through history on the way to the visitor center. I actually went twice - once alone with our dog to make sure my hubby can do the hike and a second time with the disabled husband. He can walk 2-3miles on flat surfaces, but had a much harder time due to the uneven terrain and up/down. It was hard on his joints. We did the smart thing: I hiked back down solo, he enjoyed the views over the 2nd fort from the porch of the visitor center, I brought the truck around to the maintenance area (it took me 1h) and he walked down to the truck. We had verizon cell service at the visitor center and the maintenance area (but not at the trail head and the trail). Also if you follow the arrow uphill from the visitor center for the return trip: you will get great views, but there is more uphill involved, but is a bit longer than the way up ..... PS the park rangers were very nice and lots of knowledge to share.... very glad we went!!!!

Beautiful hike and lots of history. Going back in time. Hike is not too difficult. In the way back you can take a different path for a more scenic view. No people on the trail add to the experience

Such a great historic site. It’s a nice long hike not to difficult some of it is up hill. Over all I say I walked about 4-5 miles. Great placard’s along the trail telling you where to go also filled with fun facts. So there is a lot of stopping along the way to read things and catch your breath. The second photo I put is a representation of the elevation change on this hike. You can see the two tall Hills on the left and the right and if you look directly in between the two that smaller little hill is the end of the hike. It’s only like 12 miles off the high way it’s a long strait road with a speed of 45 but there is no one out there so you can push faster then that. Just watch out for the cattle guards along the way.

It’s a 1.5 mile hike each way to access the fort, but very worth it. Lots of interesting historical signs line the trail and the visitor center at the end of the hike is the perfect place for a nice rest. They have drinking fountains and restrooms. This is really only a hike for the cooler weather though as it doesn’t have a lot of shade and even 85 was almost too warm.

If you're into frontier forts, this should be on your to-do list. Like many of such forts, it's somewhat off the grid. Compared to some other forts I've visited, it ranks in the middle. Some original foundations, some partial reconstruction, lots of descriptive placards. It's along the old Stagecoach route which is pretty cool. I bike there from Bowie and it is a nice, quiet ride with little traffic. Saw a blacktailed rattlesnake and bullsnake on the road so keep eyes peeled.

Close to Chiricahua National Monument. It is about a 9 mile drive on a dirt road and the visitor center is a bit of a hike from the road, There are several things to see between the road and the Fort Site. Fort ruins were much larger than I expected. Good information and story for a seemingly forgotten part of our history.

Serene but beautiful location of a former fort. It's hard not to imagine the suffering of the prisoners held here (men, women and children). The visitors center is a short hike from the parking lot and the roads coming on are not all paved.

Nice history and well-preserved area. It's 10 miles from town through pecan fields, and the last mile or 2 is a gravel road. It's a 1.5-mile hike from the parking area.

My advise, wear a backpack! That way, one can take snacks, sandwiches,, extra water, and bring back purchased souvenirs from the visitors center. Allow apprx 2 hours getting to the center, there are so many signs to read about the past historic events and types of vegetation along the trail. Also, it helps to have a good hiking stick for walking support.

Be prepared to drive on dirt roads for a couple miles. Be prepared to hike on a ruff trail. The drive is beautiful and the fort and visitor center are really cool. A stroller or wheelchair would not make it up the trail. This place is free and you could spend as much time as you want there and even enjoy a picnic lunch.

Beautiful hike! Lots of interesting signs along the way about the history of the area.

An awesome excursion, well worth the effort and time. It was also nice to get away from the “spring break” crowds. The road in is very long and very bumpy, which was concerning for my vehicle. The 1.5 mile hike in and back is definitely worth it, it really gives a feeling for what the place was… an important passageway for many people. Plaques give relevant information along the way. The ranger at the visitor center was so cool, knowledgeable, informative, interesting, and enthusiastic! I did the junior ranger program, as usual, which was fun, and really helped encourage me to go around all of the ruins and think “outside the box” in the visitor center museum. The landscape is also awesome, it is located on a fault line, which actually has displayed all three kinds of fault movement over time (strike-slip, normal, and reverse/thrust.) !

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, had a great chat about dark skies park since we were in Chiricahua for the ‘23 Geminid shower. Parking at the trailhead and making the walk around the loop is a great plan. The historical buildings are ruins, but the overlook path on the trail is beautiful.

4.6

(433)

4.5

(224)

3500 Apache Pass Rd, Bowie, AZ 85605, USA

My daughter and I picked apricots and 4 varieties of cherries. We enjoyed watermelon cherry slushes, purchased fresh delicious fudge, cherry and peach ciders, and ghost pepper cheese. The experience of picking our own fruit was fun. Just make sure to wear sunscreen or bring umbrellas because the summer sun is here! I would also recommend bringing a small wagon or cart for a family excursion or maybe a reusable grocery bag for an individual or couple who plan to pick more than one bag of fruit. The ladies' bathroom was clean also. Great experience!!!

There is a variety of apples and fruit to pick yourself or you can purchase apples already picked in the front. The store is quaint and has lots of knick knacks to pick from. The apple cider donuts and fudge are amazing! However, I was extremely disappointed in their apple pie. The crust was more on the savory side and stuck to the pie tin ( I bought both the precooked & frozen ), the apples were too tart ( should have used a better apple variety ), I think Marie Callenders frozen pies taste way better! But the overall experience going with the kids was great, we had lots of fun.

I love that we can pick our own fruit there, and the little store is cute. I was just a little disappointed that the pickings were so slim. I can't wait for pumpkin season 😋

So much fun! Lots of fun for the whole family. Just bring your own loppers and sunscreen. Maybe a wagon for the kids and pumpkins. If you want to get veggies and fruit then bring some bags to collect them.

Worth the stop! Great place for family time outdoors. Pancakes on the weekends from 0700 until 0900 I believe (it might be 10). Hamburgers from 1200 to 1400. Cherries are available at the moment. Peaches will be available in July per their advertising. Find your Presidents' "peaches" song and jam out from the highway. Don't speed, you'll miss the farm scenery and the lovely pecan place.

Absolutely one of the best experiences we have had! No charge to get in which give you the chance to spend more on goodies for the Family! We sure I'd enjoyed a hayride & delicious Apple Pie a mode!

Try the peach ice cream with whipped cream and salted caramel! Does not disappoint 🙌 Traveled from tucson for sweet corn! Well worth the trip!

Had lots of fun. We brought our own lunch and ate in the orchard. Fudge smells amazing while hanging outside of the shop. Try the apple cider donuts.

My husband & I picked cherries & apricots. We went towards the end of June but there was still quite a bit to pick and the fruit looks so delicious! We love coming to go fruit picking and can’t wait for the upcoming seasons.

We love going to apple annies. Even though the apples was not there this year because of the freeze. It's just plain a fun time. The little store was open with the jams,pies, etc great time with family

My first experience was great 😃. Everyone was so kind and picking the fruit was spectacular and very sweet. Will be back SOONER than later. Thankyou Apple Annie's... I had a great time. Oh! Do forget to stop by the gift shop to have some of their amazing donuts. We had them all eaten by the time we made it back home. Lol... They're soooo good!

Fun afternoon at the orchard! We came home with freshly picked apples, pears, green beans, and cherry tomatoes. I loved being in the sunflower field, and pumpkins will be available at the end of the month.

SOOOOOOO worth the 3 hour drive from Phoenix!! Was surprised with a trip down to Apple Annie’s for my birthday (all I wanted to do was go Apple picking) and it was amazing!We loved getting to pick delicious apples (which we made 4 bomb Dutch apple pies out of and still has so many apples leftover!) and then having some classic cheeseburgers for lunch with warm apple pie a la mode! Can’t forget the apple cider donuts. And picked up a strawberry rhubarb jam that I’m obsessed with!Definitely easy to spend all your money here! ;) But we thankfully saved some money to head on over to the pumpkin patch where we picked beautiful peppers, pumpkins, spaghetti squash, the most delicious beets ever and ENORMOUS sunflowers! And only $10 for 6 giant flowers?? I was like a kid in the candy shop I was so happy. It was a truly beautiful day!Can’t wait to come back!

Me and my family had an awesome time picking cherries when we went there found out that the grill Is only open Saturday and Sunday but had an awesome time

Very clean and enjoyable environment with a friendly staff. The apples and pears were amazing along with all the goodies you can buy at their stores. Looking forward to making some pie with our apples!

We come to Apple Annie’s twice a year, once in the summer and once in the fall. We make a family day of it and always have such a great time. We usually visit both locations, and we take full advantage of any activities going on. This time we made for the last day of the Peach Extravaganza. We picked some peaches & apples. Then of course we took our semi-annual pictures in “The Big Red Chair’. Then we also made a stop at the Bakery and bought a few delicious and unique goodies. Then it was off to the U-Pick Veggie location. We picked up some delicious tomatoes, zucchini and a nice watermelon. Oh and I can’t forget the absolutely delicious honey sticks, those are an absolute must have. Apple Annie’s is a guaranteed day of family gun and delicious treats.

Very memorable experience. I highly recommend making out to the orchard and pick your own fruit. Today we came for the cherries and it was definitely worth the drive from Tucson. I recommend arriving early not only to avoid the hottest part of the day, but that is when the cherries are at their sweetest. The rainier and lapin are currently the best tasting. Bring a step stool so you can reach the fruit higher up on the branch. And make sure you do not leave without trying their fresh donuts!

This is a fun place to take the family. It's been weeks and we're still eating dessert off of the fruit we picked. On a nice sunny day there aren't a lot more peaceful activities to pursue out and about with the family.

My first time here in years and years. What a great day trip! We went on a Monday and it was not crowded at all. I wasn't sure what to expect when i saw they had cherries to pick, in the past its always been apples and peaches. The cherries were delicious! We brought home about 5 pounds of cherries, a fresh baked apple pie and some other goodies.

I've been coming here since I was a kid in the 80s, back when the veggie farm was called Hunsden Farms. I've been bringing my kids since my first was a baby. We love this place.

What a great day trip! Pack up the kiddos and head out to pick veggies & fruit for the family! I took my family many times and it is always a wonderful experience. Apple Annie’s have the best corn in the world! I go and stack up for the year!

Went 2nd week of October for some apple picking but all apples were all picked when we get there. But nobody informed us when we arrived in the area. After looking around the orchard we decided to buy the pre picked apples and spent $24. Drove a bit for their produce location to get some fresh vegetables and spent another $30 for some veggies and small pumpkins.

4.5

(1005)

4.0

(168)

2081 Hardy Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA

+47 other lists

Enjoyed the weekend in Tombstone 🪦🤠💃🏾🏜️ A must visit site, so much history to learn. There are a variety of shops/restaurants/saloons, reenacting gun shows, mines, graveyards sites, & more. We had a great time.

This was a fun tour! The tours are an hour and a half long, including the 30 minutes darkness time to 'welcome the ghosts to make their presence known'. Our guide, Karen, was knowledgeable, humorous and a delight. Highly recommend this tour. The history of the Bird Cage is interesting and you'll even see evidence of some of the lawlessness from history (1880's bullet slugs in walls and the bar).

The museum is even more exciting because of its original place. It's a real witness of history. The guides have huge knowledge and describe the place in a very interesting way. It's so much to see and feel the spirit of its past time. Only for this museum, I would travel even from Europe which I did a few days ago. It's not only for those who love the Western world but for all history lovers.

This was definitely the coolest thing we did in Tombstone. At the entrance we were greeted by a saloon girl, who proceeded to welcome us in and give us a short introduction of the place. After learning about the 149 gunshot holes in the theater and paying our $15 fee for the self guides tour, we ventured deeper. The first room we came upon was the theatre seating, balconies and stage. In here are a bunch of historical artifacts you can examine. Next we found ourself backstage learning more about the history. After this, you can proceed downstairs where you'll find two poker tables with a bunch of dollars being thrown as donations. As we exited through the gift shop we talked about it was one of those places that gave you the feels like you really were existing in that time. What a fun experience.

Amazing place to hang out and take a guided tour. So much to look at and learn about. It's like going back in time to the late 1800's. Our tour guide was awesome and you could tell she loves her job! 1.5 hours and a great bargain for the history lesson. The amount of original artifacts is mind blowing. You could easily spend a day here and not see everything it has to offer. Very knowledgeable staff. Make sure you use the restroom before going on a tour as there are no public restrooms. It's said to be quite haunted and while we didn't experience much activity the kid had a great time and the lights out period of the tour was really cool! I highly recommend this if you are into history. Great value for the money and one of the coolest things we did while in Tombstone !!!

Ghost tour was AWESOME! Danielle was GREAT! Super informative! Very funny! Seeing all the interesting things made you feel like you could actually visualize what it was like there back in the day. Definitely worth the money! Didn't catch anything on camera but heard some cool stuff an some equipment they had kept going off. All and all it was a hit! A must see if you're ever in Tombstone Arizona!

My curiosity started with that one ghost adventures episode, we entered the town & i recognized the building & just had to check it out. It was such a cool experience. We didn’t experience anything spooky for my knowledge but would definitely recommend! A lot of history and originality

While visiting Tombstone Arizona we visited the Bird Cage Theater. The gentleman working inside gave everyone a brief history of the building and theater. This is probably my favorite place to see while we were there. It is the only original building still standing and still looks the same on the inside as it did in the past right down to the 45 slug holes in the walls and bar. You can take a self guided tour and see the same poker tables the Wyatt earp and doc holiday played at. It is said it is the most haunted place in Tombstone.

Really cool place, alot of nice things from the old west! A must do when you visit!

Amazing!! Rich with historical artifacts such as the farrow table where Johnny Ringo and Doc Holiday had their run in, the stage with the original 1881 curtain, the painting of Fatima hung in 1881, never been moved, and the bullet holes throughout, in the and the walls, get is just so much stuff! Loved visiting this time capsule the 1800's.

Must do ghost tour in Tombstone! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and her passion for the history of the building and the town was contagious. It was quite spooky and thrilling to do the ghost tour after hours. Be aware that at the end of the ghost tour there is a period where you sit in almost complete darkness for 10-20 minutes.

Twice, we were entertained by different hosts whose knowledge about Tombstone was great to listen to.

Love the atmosphere of this historic little village. The main attraction we wanted to visit with the Bird Cage Theatre. It's believed to be haunted and so we wanted to check it out and see for ourselves. Highly recommend!!!

We visited on a Sunday, and arrived just when they opened no wait time and not too hot. So much info and history. Definitely go inside and see all the artifacts from the birdhouse. It is a little pricy to view the whole birdhouse ,but the admission is to help keep the birdhouse stay open! Help tombstone out! ➕️ 1st responder friendly!

We had been here before but never took the tour... SO glad we did! Really fascinating. The history of this place is amazing. Definitely feels haunted!

This is a great museum that is in the original building from 140 years ago. They have a lot of original artifacts from when the building was a Theatre and a brothel. Wyatt Erp went to this establishment. They had a lot of historical information about the town and the different lives of the famous people that lived there.

I did a ghost tour here with my kids during the summer. It was a very cool experience! The guide was awesome, the stories, seeing genuine artifacts was great and we had some experiences during the lights out session. Definitely a must try if you're in Tombstone.

Great place for going back in time and seeing the various rooms and objects at the Bird Cage Theatre. The people were friendly and the tour was great! A lot to look at and enjoy if you like historical items. Who knows, you may even come across a ghost being that it is haunted!

Such a unique place to visit.Do not miss an opportunity to visit this historic theater.

If you love history and want to know more about Tombstone's wild past the tour is perfect. There is so much to see! I spent a lot of time walking through and enjoying the ambiance. This was my favorite place to visit in Tombstone.

4.7

(2063)

4.5

(1724)

535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA

+57 other lists

The actors use some humor when doing their thing. They do present some of the history that led up to the shooting, and a little on the Earp family after that. Enjoyable to be sure. We've seen it twice. Your ticket also gets you into a history presentation on Tombstone itself, which is well worth the small price. Gives you a much better appreciation for Tombstone and old Western history.

Well where do you begin. I went here with my dad and uncle and we had a great time. The heat was a little bit much later in the afternoon but other than that, it was all that was advertised. Now, you do not have to like westerns to enjoy Tombstone, but it will engross you in the experience so much the more if you do. The main viewing experience is about one third of a mile on each side of the town. You can walk along the boardwalk and check out the historical buildings and the owners give you the history of the place if you have a passing fancy in such things. The owners are very authentic and colorful. They also have a reenactment of the ok corral fight that is very entertaining. There is also a tour at the birdcage that lets you get up close and personal with some things that Wyatt interacted with. Good stuff!!! Some of the buildings are locked up and as they were back in the old days, some have the shell of the building and have since been made into something that is more business friendly. This in no way takes away from the experience whatsoever. I wholeheartedly recommend that you go see the town that was too tough to die, Tombstone!!!

Great fun! Every part was perfectly Touristy! I loved it! Portrayal of the characters was done with proper respect and enough fun to keep the energy up! Will definitely go back, as we only did half a day and it was not enough! #templemastery

What an awesome show. Kids and I just really enjoyed it. Great history all over. The OK Corral was more then I expected. We got the pass that gave you access to other museums and exhibits and even a discount and some eateries. But the show was the star for us. Had a good story and some funny parts. I would recommend stopping you doing the whole OK Corral experience.

Awesome time! Great reenactment! Very entertaining. Just wished they had Wyatt looked more like the real person. Nice shade, the set was small but worked. Actor's were super nice! Definitely worth it! Must check it out if you're every in Tombstone!

Great show! Museums were very informative. Staff was very friendly. Had a wonderful time visiting Tombstone for the first time!

We were here during Helldorado days and had a blast! Take the stage coach ride it's narrated and you get to learn some history that's not usually told.

We all loved it and highly recommend it. The best gift shop is at the OK corral. The gun fight was fun and entertaining. The ambience of the entire place is perfect. Great job to all of you!

Born and raised from Tempe, AZ, and army retired in WA. I never got the chance to visit til now and took my boys and we loved it! Good food and a lot of military appreciation here. Highly recommend if you ever have the chance...

A fun show with some clever lines. Deliberately campy and lots of laughs. The bad guys are the best. The Sam Elliot- like character who played Virgil's a bit wooden, but overall quite entertaining for all ages. Our party ranges from age 2 to 70 and we all enjoyed it. The Vincent Price-narrated diorama/ movie was cleverly done. See pic of the instructions you are given. Gift shop was touristy but our grands enjoyed getting a pop gun or two.

Great show. Always a blast. The actors do a superb job of being fun and interactive. Been several times and always see the OK Corral reenactment. Good for all ages. Tickets are $10 and can donate to the actors at the end, well worth it. Can't wait to return.

This place is amazing!! So much history. The gunfight was absolutely fantastic!!! It was so great I saw it twice during my 5 day stay in Tombstone. The actors are wonderful, and also pretty cool dudes!! The O.K. Corral is a MUST when you visit Tombstone. I cannot wait to return!

For $10, you can learn pretty much all you need to know about the gunfight. The live gun battle is pretty good and the actors let you take pictures with them. Fun for adults and children.

It was a pretty short but engaging reenactment. Get to walk through some history on the premises as well. You $10 per adult buys you a range of experiences not just the reenactment.They try to keep the majority of the audience in the shade. Three different times there is "gun fire" FYSA in case you have a little one or veteran sensitive to noise.

Worth the time and money for a perspective of American history! Tombstone has a lot going on for a day trip/overnight trip. I was glad to see the whole act. Lots of history, photographs, and spaces to explore. Definitely shown in the perspective of white americans as the great fighters of the west... Ignoring the fact that their American history contains all of today's Americans.... Showed Native americans as the ('enemies') bad guys and as though they aren't Americans and no mentions of any Black or Mexican Americans. Oh well...but who knew the o.k. corral was real!?! Sick! Thanks for the fun show!

Second visit to this historic location. We enjoyed walking the streets and browsing the shops. Attended the OK Corral show and enjoyed it. The set well done and the actors are good at presenting the material. They are entertaining as well. Prior to the show, we walked around and looked at the collections of pictures, maps, buggies, and other items from that time period. We walked away with a better understanding of the event and some good memories.

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED! I watched this show last week. I was expecting something shorter and simpler but it turned out to be very well staged and produced. 4 handsome, elegant, slim lawmen against the overweight outlaws. Excellent performances from all actors. Considerate amount of dialogue as well - to give you the context of the actual gunfight. The American Southwest is magic! Don't miss Tombstone. In memory of my late father, western film fan back in Greece - Christos Petropoulos (1931 - 2009).

What a cool place to visit! The gun show was really cool! The actor's did a great job! Cool to see history played out even if its not completely accurate. We loved the displays and gift shop!

I had a great time walking through the town and seeing all of the shops. The Cowboys were fun and entertaining! Tickets are reasonable, and there is much to see without paying for a ticket, so it works as a fun stop on a budget.

The museum has a lot of cool things to look at, and a big gift shop with a variety of souvenirs. The live gun show was fun and didn't cost very much. It was a really fun thing to do while in Tombstone.

A very cool experience! A complete nostalgic throwback. Would highly recommend. Fantastic all day event with so much to see and do.

Cute little town to visit with the family! We wish we'd had more time to explore, but loved what we saw. We enjoyed the shops and the shootout show was fun! The actors were great!

Great show and great cast! My family and I loved this experience. Definitely a must!

Fun old west show. The actors are funny, knowledgeable, and friendly. The show was entertaining and well done with a lot of humor. I've been twice and would happily go again.

Always fun to see. Towns people are super nice and its fun to walk around for a bit. Love the haunted hotel. Gives the "bad guys" version of events.

Super awesome show and experience. We were just passing through, and are thrilled that we stopped to see the show. Actors had fun and loved what they were doing. We also really felt like we learned a lot too!

Acting was superb. Actors offer to take pictures free of charge. Only cost $10 bucks. This has got to be the best price for a show anywhere

Tombstone is a beautiful city. The whole wild wild west feeling you get being here is like no other. The reenactment of the shootout at OK Corral is amazing! 2nd to none & extremely funny.The gentlemen that played Doc & Ike stoled the show. These 2 men are very funny & are great from start to finish. But... this whole cast is great. They do an amazing job here. Come see the city & the show you'll be happy you did.Kids under 5 are free & everyone else is $10 & it is worth it. After the show you can meet & take pictures with the actors, which is so cool. Also, you can leave a tip for these great actors. You really should, they give a great performance, deserve it & are tired of eating ramen noodles hahaha.

This is a great show and it is very entertaining. The actors are funny and friendly too. We were so glad we went to the show. It was totally worth it. They have a nice setting with several buildings with written historical facts. They also have authentic photographs and artifacts from tombstone and the OK Corral. There is a blacksmith on the grounds selling his wares. They have a large gift shop and a small movie theater too. We enjoyed our visit.

4.6

(6420)

4.5

(2727)

326 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA

+23 other lists

This is worth the $3 entrance. The booklet comes with the entrance fee & has the stories behind each grave. It’s well kept and interesting to walk through. The gift shop is very nice as well, with a sweet clerk to welcome everyone.

Foothill Graveyard: I enjoyed the gift shop more than the graveyard. The graveyard seemed as if it the gravestone markers were all made around the same time, which made me skeptical as to if the information on them was accurate. I am not saying they are not accurate, but the feeling it gave me. My problem is I've been to graveyards in other places, such as Bodie and they leave this one bland.I still suggest you go. It completes the visit to Tombstone and the cost is minor. Get it "Minor", at $3 a person to enter the graveyard. Parking is free.I gave it 4 Star's due to the gift shop.The graveyard is 3 stars.

Boothill Graveyard lives! I mean Boothill Graveyard is a real place.I knew of this place as a child. Television shows of the Wild West told me so. The gunfight at the O.K. Corral reaffirmed Boothill is a special place where cowboys are buried with their boots on. However I didn’t see this site for myself. More than 60 years later, I traveled to Tombstone and rode along Route 80 to Boothill.On the outskirts of Tombstone, not far from the Tombstone Grand, you’ll see the graves of an interesting bunch of cowboys and others forever resting in peace.I paid $3 for a chance to confirm all that I learned from Hollywood movies and TV on the history and inhabitants of Boothill.Once I entered through a small building, I saw what on first sight looked like gravesites with tombstones. As I looked around among the eleven rows, I found the resting place of John Heath. His death in 1884 was from hanging. Heath’s death stood out among “the residents” of Boothill. From the paragraph in the brochure, John Heath’s death reads: “Taken from county jail and lynched by Bisbee mob, Feb.22, 1884. He was called the leader of the five men who were legally hanged and was said to have planned the robbery. He was hanged from a telegraph pole a short distance west of the courthouse.” Some of the tombstone descriptions were mildly amusing such as that of Lester Moore: “Here lies Lester Moore, Four slugs from a .44, No les, no more.”You may ask yourself, “Is this all real?” These are amusing gravestones in maybe an off kilter sense of humor way. I was left with wondering about the character and personalities of these folks from the Old West especially the large number of them under their tombstone that reads, Unknown. They lie for an eternity and will be visited often by strangers like myself.

this is a really cool place to see you get handed a pamphlet with all the names and causes of death so you get to take your time and really look at everything as it's not a guided tour the staff where very kind and you could tell they enjoy there job we spent about an hour in there between looking at everything and paying respects one thing I will say is yes it's real so don't be disrespectful

I visited Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, AZ, and it was definitely worth the $6 entry fee. Upon entry, you're given a pamphlet that lists all of the headstones (which are actually made of wood) and provides explanations of who each person was and how they died. It was fascinating to read about the folks who died here, many due to gunshots or disease. Some of the epitaphs were quite humorous, like Lester Moore’s: “Here lies Lester Moore, four slugs from a .44, no Les, no more.” If you're interested in history and enjoy a bit of dark humor, Boothill Graveyard is a must-visit!

If you have kids they will get a kick out of it. If your a visitor who has never seen a real ghost town cemetery you'll enjoy this place. It's costs money to get in and it is mostly fake. Just keep that in mind. For us, it was a waste of time and money. Don't get me wrong........it's worth it for most people. We have been to too many real old west cemetaries and this is a place for tourists first and foremost. Go and see the real one as well.

Cool stop going into Tombstone. As a fan of wild west history it's neat to see the graves of those shot at the o.k. Coral. Make sure you check out the gift shop because the workers are extremely nice

We checked out Boothill Cemetery after learning some of the history of Tombstone/Bisbee. It was interesting to say the least. It was $3 per person to get in, but worth it!

Interesting place to visit especially if you know the history or at least enjoyed the movies. Very rustic, historic cemetery with a reasonable entry fee (cash only, ATM in gift shop) and excellent visitors guide. Only downside is that it's all gravel and dirt on an incline so not really wheelchair friendly, or safe for those with balance issues.

Visiting Boothill is like stepping back in time.So much history is buried there,it is a fascinating place to visit and a must do if you are visiting Tombstone.You will receive a pamphlet with a layout of the cemetery when you arrive that lists the names on all the graves and a summary as to how they died and on some a history of how they lived,this was achieved by the families of the deceased giving the information to the owners of the cemetery.I highly recommend that you visit if you are in the area.

What a piece of history! It's like stepping back in time. When you visit the legendary Tombstone, Arizona, you have to check out Boot Hill Graveyard. There's a John Heath there, he was apparently lynched by a mob in 1884, but we haven't found any direct relation. ) This is one of those bucket list places that if you can find time to get there, it's worth the nostalgia.

For an idea of how cheap life was in this mining town the Graveyard is worth the price. A map showing who is where and what caused their demise. I recommend you visit the Graveyard and look for yourself. Just who was bad or good often depends on who’s telling the story.

Boothill cemetery is worth a visit. The price to enter was $3 and the gift shop has good products. The gravestones have a lot of history. The gift shop had different items than the shops in the town area. The shop had knives, apparel, coins, glassware, and antiques. The cashier is super friendly and loves to chat with everybody.

A must see. Lots of well knowns buried here. Easy to navigate. Some funny sayings on the headstones.

An essential part of your Tombstone visit that takes you to the graves of the people that were a part of the Wild Wild West and the famous gunfight at the OK Corral.

A tourist trap in its tackiest form. Yes, there are some very interesting characters, buried here, but the fact that you have to pay to visit a graveyard and can only exit through a gift shop really rips the il west spirit out of the experience. When we left, I felt like I had purchased a used car.

Very interesting to see. $3 per adult to enter. You are given a guide map upon entering. If you are into the history of Tombstone, then this is a must stop. The cemetery has an amazing view. Plan on spending about 30min to an hour to view all of the site.

If you go to Tombstone I feel like you need to see Boothill Cemetery. It's only $3 per person to get in, and you're given a little information booklet about all the graves there. We spent close to an hour here, though we prioritized the more famous and unique graves. Some people could spend less or more time here and still feel like they got what they wanted out of their visit. The reviews that dismiss this place as "fake" irritate me - this is a real graveyard that houses the final resting place for many of Tombstone's founding and famous citizens. This place definitely has a tourist attraction touch to it, hence some of the occasional more comical tombstones (which is most of what these reviews are referencing), but they're still real graves, and you're still expected to be respectful when you visit.

4.4

(160)

4.0

(1849)

408 AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA

It's exactly what it's supposed to be a tourist spot. Signs in both directions for 100 miles telling you to stop. Always make it sound interesting. 55 60 years ago my father refused to stop here because he said it wasn't worth the money. I finally stopped 40 years ago once married. It's a good break from the highway good place to stretch your legs. It's obviously changed since my most recent stop last week. Rather bizarre storytelling along the walls now about aliens versus predators. Kind of like a fancy comic book reading. Some pretty nice old vehicles on site to take a look at. The thing is what it is....a thing😁. Souvenir site available dairy Queen on site. Like I said a good place to stop stretch your legs walk through and read and take a look at everything they have to offer.

This is a must stop!!! I love the billboard advertising along the highway and was 100% intrigued. Upon stopping, you will find the neatest gift shop with so many different things, really clean bathrooms, friendly staff, the most fun museum for $5. I don't want to spoil the fun - just stop in and check it out.

It was decent for the price. It was 5$ a person or 10 for a family. They had exhibits about the aliens dinosaurs and cars. It wasn’t very interactive so you couldn’t touch anything. But other than that it had a story line, and if your looking for something to take a break from while driving it a decent stop

This place is amazing. There’s so much to choose from in this store it will blow your mind. The tour of The Thing is awesome. All the staff and very knowledgeable about The Thing and everything in the store. I would definitely stop if I had the chance.

Stretch your legs, munch on snacks, & enjoy the art, gifts, and exhibit. This truck stop offers affordable entertainment, fuel, and food. Staff is friendly, bathrooms are clean & well stocked, and the mountain views are breath taking.

The thing received a major update a couple years ago, so if you’ve been in the past, it is worth a revisit as it is a totally different experience. This is what every roadside America attraction should be: strangeness with a diversion from the road. Admission is five dollars per person or $10 per family so it is very affordable the gas is higher price than surrounding stations.

It may sound crazy but we loved this place. The Thing is a cross between history museum and conspiracy theory showcase. It was very informative and fun to "move through history". The little ones loved the dinosaurs and aliens. Totally worth the price of admission, which is pretty low.

We like quirky. I was willing to pay the $5 to get in when I thought it was basically just a box. It was our quirky trip and we would just laugh. But it was so much more and totally worth it. Loved the story, creativeness, conspiracies and displays!

Wow is all I have to say! I found this hidden gem on a work trip and I kept seeing signs for 100’s of miles about the thing! I was intrigued from the get go and waiting to get gas until I got to this gas station! Upon pulling up I knew it was going to be a fun filled gas station! They sold everything you could think of and even had fireworks! There is a museum there with so many amazing items to see and the high light at the end with the thing being showcased! I can’t say when I’ll be back to this location but I can say if I ever pass by here again it will for sure be a stop that is required on my route! I suggest everyone stop by here to see the sites for themselves! Bravo on advertising and keeping people away for hundreds of miles!!!

Recently I had a loss in my family and idk something just gravitated me here I drove around back and just found the beautiful view and peace and silence ended up crashing here for the night and in the morning I was woken up by Shannon (manager) she came to my car just to do her job to which I apologized and explained why I was here and offerd me coffee and let me enjoy the view with no worries and also I checked out the thing and I was blown away it was very cool but not only that everyone inside are just good people making and honest living in so great full of how my situation was handled and that people can actually still care on this planet 😉 I will come back under better circ*mstances!

We always enjoy stopping by The Thing? when driving through Arizona! It has all the charm of a cheesy roadside Rt 66 attraction. There is an exhibit that ends with "the thing" and a really great gift shop. It also has a gas station and a Dairy Queen restaurant, but it closes at 7pm, so get there before sunset. Definitely a must see stop!

Most people would most likely not give a 5 star rating but this was an amazing stop for my friend and I. Before going do not Google what the thing is play a guessing game with your passengers and then enjoy. It is very affordable and it is a self guided tour. Update- finally had a chance to revisit it was still a lot of fun prior to the trip my kids and I watched the Doug movie when Doug and Judy argue over the roadside attractions. It really made the experience even more enjoyable especially when you are driving up and start seeing the billboards.

Had a blast teasing the kids about what they were about to see!! Good clean fun for the family , I appreciate the work and creativity being put into this place. Thank you also for a safe place to park overnight and a place to grab a bite to eat. My kids loved it!!!

This place was pretty interesting we went through the museum got some pretty cute pictures. The theory is interesting as well. They have a big shopping area all of the employees there and at the DQ were very very nice. They have truck parking on the side which worked out great for us.

Best experience at a gas station ever. Everyone needs to visit the THING. A fantastic eye opening example of a history of things that might have been. For $5 you can't beat it. It's a wonderful experience for everyone. I only wish I had more time to read all the posters they had through our the exhibit.Will not disappoint!

Huuuuuge parking lot, enormous gift shop with something for everyone, Dairy Queen grill that serves breakfast, friendly staff, clean restrooms, all surrounded by scenic mountain views. What more can a person ask for? How about an alternative history museum tour with an extra-terrestrial mummy? They've got that. Kids of all ages love the museum.

There's a gas station, bathroom, gift shop and convenience store, so everything you need during a road tripThe Thing Museum is very cheap even for a family. It's super quick to go through and very fun, definitely worth a stop

Very interesting gift shop/museum! We started seeing signs for "The Thing" and the kids were excited when we finally reached the building with the mysterious creature! We did the tour and it was fun! Prices were $10 per family or $5 per person. They also had a Military deal. If your passing by I highly recommend you check it out!

I was not very excited to stop but you only live once. First I was blown away by the friendliness of the staff. Shannon was so much fun! I have never had so much fun paying to see an attraction. She had us laughing! The attraction was very well done! The prices for the items in the gift shop are extremely reasonably priced.

Was driving across country from Las Vegas, Nevada to Florida. And stopped in here checked it out. Did the little museum tour? It was a lot of fun? Very friendly stuff, definitely recommend stopping and checking it out.

After years of passing by this place we finally succumbed to the allure. We were not disappointed but thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The museum is very well done, even with the kitchy sci-fi theory running throughout. Lots of "What if" questions and life-like statues. Someone with a great imagination did a great job here. The gift shop is huge but tidy and the people are very friendly.

4.4

(4968)

3.5

(248)

2631 N Johnson Rd, Benson, AZ 85602, USA

5 lists

Beautiful area, just a little more annual upkeep is required in carr canyon, ideally the picnic area. The potential for this place is huge. I dont know if the resources are lacking but if they got the canyon cleaned the potential of fires would go down substantially. In recent years they have been clearing large debris and graveling the road which is nice to see. Keep up the great work guys.

Spent about a month here in the 1980s volunteering to restore the old historic Safford Morenci Trail. Remote. Breathtaking.

Lots of birds, nature trails and Cottonwood trees in fall foliage

The shopping is sparse and there are no restaurants. I was hoping for a water slide, or perhaps some kind of massage therapy place. The kids were bored. Would not recommend unless you like looking at things and walking.

Many routes and trails pre-monsoon when only ground water holes are full. Multiple ecosystems, many species of plants and animals, remote feeling, paradoxical views of desert next to verdent ponds, via Sky Islands Traverse the trail is extensive and can take a whole day.

Very pretty scenery. We were actually just on the south side of the highway. The paths make for a nice walk and seeing water in the desert is always a pleasure.

I've only seen a small part of it. It was very serene and beautiful. It's July. Didn't get to see any running water. Seems to be open during Covid - restrooms also.

4.3

(23)

4.5

(190)

4070 S Avenida Saracino, Hereford, AZ 85615, USA

I’d give this epic horseback ride 10 stars. ⭐️ I’m terrified of horses and they converted me! I can’t wait to go back again. I did a 2 hour ride and it was life changing. Beautiful Arizona terrain. Amazing guides with a true gift. They set the bar so high I can’t ride anywhere else.

Still smiling from this wonderful experience! Beautiful, well cared-for horses on acres and acres of lush desert landscape. Fun trail ride, the walk was easy for beginners, but still interesting and relaxing for experienced riders… There were a few small hills that were fun to go up and down! The owner and his team regard safety as number one, and make the experience enjoyable as well, with their interesting conversation and fun jokes. The horses’ coats were absolutely glistening, and they were very well behaved. You could tell not only were they trained well, but they are loved. Riders are matched to their horse by energy- genius! It worked out beautifully. If you are using a Groupon, don’t forget to bring cash to tip per person on the regular price and remember to pay sales tax on top of that. It’s worth it!! We are going back 🤗

An absolutely wonder experience. Ron and his staff were wonderful, warm and friendly. Horses were well trained, and patient. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. If you are looking for a real, not commercial, horse riding experience, this ranch is what you are looking for. Friendly cowboys, friendly horses.

We had a fantastic time with Double R Ranch! Ron and his staff are incredible hosts and guides!I rode a majestic horse named Romeo, all the horses in our group were professionals.I recommend Double R to anyone, 10/10 experience!

Found my calling and soul again with beautiful people! This ranch is about horses, community, and your very soul, that came alive after this tremendous venture! Ron and Trina make a family of you while you are here and after! There are no words for the beautiful scenery, you have to experience it for you yourself! Horses are my love, yet, everything about these rides touches your soul! I stayed there and experienced 3 meals a day with lovely people, a soul bound for those who need one! I came on a whim, the history of not just Tombstone, but the calling of those who lived well before that!Book your stay asap, if you are searching! The most incredible place on earth

The whole experience was fantastic. The horses were all super well-behaved, and my siblings had a great time riding a horse for their first time! The ranch hands were super helpful and nice. Definitely tip them for their kind courteous service when you go! The animals are all well taken care of and just super sweet! The owner and his wife are also fantastic and we’re super nice and accommodating! My baby sister has diabetes, and they had no issues with her taking her snacks with her! They accommodated us every step of the way! Highly recommend this wonderful experience!

A group of friends and I recently went, our first time riding on a horse staff were kind and explained how to ride the horse properly. We did the 90 minute ride and I must say it was worth it! All the staff were friendly and customer service was great! I highly recommend and we will definitely be coming back!

We went to ride horses and found so much more. Family style (delicious) meals with the owners and wranglers, a cozy cottage, and a complete lack of light or noise pollution. Ron and Trina were attentive and engaging. We practiced our Spanish with Billy and our sarcasm with Pancho. They shared their passion for the animals, knowledge of the area, and love of ranch life. The riding didn’t disappoint with skilled guides, clear trails, and incredible views. They had a variety of beautiful, well trained horses to match all skill levels. We had an unplanned trip to Tombstone and some impromptu roping lessons to round out the trip. If you want a ranch vacation- this gem is not to be missed!

We had the most amazing time riding on the ranch for sunset! The horses looked very happy and healthy. The ranch is absolutely stunning. Incredible views in every direction. Our guides are so friendly and we had great conversation throughout our ride. I appreciated the tips and tricks on riding as it had been a while but I quickly gained my confidence with their guidance, and it made for such a beautiful, peaceful ride for my husbands birthday. Thank you so much for helping us making amazing memories and we will definitely be back!

This place was amazing. I do not normally write reviews even though I’m very adamant about reading them but this place deserves all the praise. They were kind hearted people with all intent to please their guests. The help was super kind and very knowledgeable. We went on the sunset ride with a great tour guide who led us into the beauty of Arizona. They seemed to pair us with all the right horses as well. I rode bright eyes, which is only six and she was definitely curious as to what the world had out there and loved to snack. I tried to take charge till she hypnotized me with those eyes and I couldn’t resist to just let her have a snack or two along the trail. Other than her love for snacks she was perfectly behaved and a pleasure to ride. On our return she gave me hugs and snuggles as I thanked her for giving me the joy of riding her. We came back to dinner which was fantastic with great company of fellow riders, the cook, and our lovely tour guide. I think that is the best apple pie I have ever had in my life. I would recommend this place to any of my friends and family and will definitely be back for more of their services. Thank you so much for a fabulous experience and thanks for having us on your beautiful piece of property, I can’t wait for my next trip out there!

So happy to have found this place on airbnb. We ended up staying two nights and the cabin we were in was amazing. Has all the comforts of home. The water pressure was very weak and if you plan to do any cooking make sure you bring all the ingredients with you. Otherwise this ranch was very charming. Wish I could’ve done the sunset horseback ride. Next time!

For mother's day I wanted to do something special so I booked the 3 Peaks Ride for my mom and I. I'm so glad we did because it was a wonderful experience. Things to know. This ranch is the real deal. Hard working cowboys and cowgirls who are kind enough to open up their ranch for folks around the world to see some of the best in the southwest. It doesn't get any better than this, folks.🌵🐴

We visited a couple days before Christmas for the Ocotillo trail ride and had a blast! I have not had a ton of riding experience besides a few lessons and trail rides, and the trail was definitely a fun challenge, but I felt completely safe and relaxed the entire time. Max was a complete gentle giant and not once did I feel that I could not trust him or that I was unsafe. Our guide was also excellent, made great conversation with every single person on our ride, and gave plenty of helpful advice while on the trail. Will definitely be back again, and I absolutely recommend this ranch if you are in the area and want a unique way to view the scenery!

I had such an amazing time at the Double R Guest Ranch. I stayed there for a weekend and wish I could have stayed for longer!The staff were absolutely lovely, super accommodating and so helpful. They all really go out their way to make the guests feel welcome and comfortable. I really enjoyed the great home-cooked meals (including delicious desserts with every dinner!). The staff joined us for the meals, shared their knowledge and stories and were genuinely interested in the guests.The horses are really well looked after, happy, well-trained and just beautiful.The bunk house I stayed in was clean, cosy and comfortable. I loved waking up in the morning, stepping out of the cabin and seeing the horses right outside as the first thing.Everyone at the ranch has a respectful and gentle approach to horsemanship and all the animals. Safety and wellbeing – both guests’ and the horses - is taken very seriously at the ranch. Ron’s intuition and wisdom for matching riders with the right horses is great. I loved the horse I was assigned, and did multiple different trail rides (my favorite being the three peaks ride and the sunset ride) during my stay. I also did a riding lesson with Trina because I wanted to know more about the Western riding style (I’m used to English). She is a great teacher and I loved her showing her how it’s done in style on her horse.I’m an experienced rider myself, but I was pleased to see that at Double R Ranch even beginners were taken on breathtaking trailrides thanks to the good-natured and wise horses and the experienced staff. This is something that would be hard to find in my home country Finland and across Europe, where most decent trail rides require previous riding experience.I highly recommend booking a ride or a longer stay here! From the moment you arrive at the ranch to the time you leave the place (most likely with a big smile and wonderful memories to take away with you) you’ll feel relaxed, respected, cared for and safe.I really hope to return to the ranch for another holiday in the future. Thank you!

We had a delightful experience at the Double R Ranch on the day before Thanksgiving. We're from the East Coast (that's me, my wife, and our two adult children), so we had NO idea what to expect, only that the reviews were good and that we wanted to go for a horseback ride. It was all we could have asked for and more. I bought the sunset ride with dinner. The ranch hands were friendly and professional (two of them accompanied us on our hour+ ride along the Arizona trails). It was beautiful, austere, rugged, and right out of the old West! Ron (the owner) gave us some instruction before departure, and the whole thing was very straightforward. My steed (Max) knew the drill and performed like a Double R Ranch professional, as did the other mounts in my family's party.As the sun set, we returned to the ranch for dinner. Family-style arrangement that we shared with another family who were there for extended lessons over a series of days. Great food and lively conversation as we supped and got to know one another . . . just like in the movies when strangers gathered in a western hotel for a meal.The day was a great success, because as we drove home, EVERYONE was very pleased and content. There was talk of buying a ranch and riding horses. We were all energized!Thanks to Ron and Trina and the rest of the staff. The family and I give the Double R Ranch our highest recommendation.

Unforgettable weekend for me.I was looking for a peaceful place, no stress, no pollution. It’s exactly what I got. I came here to recharge my batteries, mom of 3 kids I needed a weekend just for myself. The cabin was more than enough for me, not too much pressure in the shower but that didn’t bother me. I liked the all inclusive with all good meals prepared for us and shared with the owners. I got lucky and shared an unexpected dinner time with Katrinka and her family who played piano for us and we all sang together. It was “genial” (new French word for Ron). My husband got very jealous of the stars and Milky Way that I could enjoyed during the night. The rides were obviously very great. But my favorite was definitely the fast ride with Ron, my horse for the weekend named Catalina and 3 of the 8 dogs of the property. I could enjoyed fast runs during the ride and that will leave me unforgettable memories. Ron brought me and an other guest who stayed longer at the ranch, in tombstone which was unexpected and very appreciated after our 3 hours morning ride. Everything was great. I’m planning to come back and bring the whole family to enjoy more. Thank you Ron and Trina for this weekend ! I’ll come back for sure.

My husband and i celebrated our two year anniversary on a sunset trail ride and it was amazing! Ron was great at accommodating me as i wanted to surprise my husband with his favorite horse! Trail was beautiful and horses were very happy and well taken care of! His trail lead was very attentive, funny and even stopped to take our photo for us! Loved everything about this ranch! Will definitely be back!

I usually avoid writing reviews unless an experience stands out, be it exceptionally good or bad. This time, it was undeniably amazing. Each and every animal from the dogs to the horses are friendly and treated with compassion at the Double R Ranch. The owners, Ron and Trina, are not only kind but also enjoyable company, showing genuine interest in each guest. They go out of their way to ensure that you enjoy your time on the ranch and that all of your expectations are met.Opting for the 5-day bunkhouse stay, I found cleanliness, comfort, and privacy amid breathtaking views of horses and mountains. The lack of internet in the bunkhouse, surprisingly, enhanced my goal of disconnecting from life's stresses and reconnecting with nature. It didn't disappoint.The trails were both challenging and beautiful with several options to chose from. The staff will selectively pair you with a horse to match your experience and riding style. I observed them do this with several guests and was amazed at how well they matched each horse and rider. I really enjoyed getting to know my horse and appreciated his playful personality. I will warn that you might make a new friend if you show a little extra love between rides. Already missing my buddy, Max.Meals, served family-style in the lodge, were a highlight. Everything was homemade and cooked with care. Despite my introverted nature, I eagerly anticipated dining with my newfound ranch family. Dinner, especially, fostered a sense of belonging, with laughter and love shared among everyone. It truly felt like finding family that I had lost along the way.

4.8

(203)

5.0

(536)

440 W Cimmaron Ln, Benson, AZ 85602, USA

10 lists

I remember visiting here a very long time ago. The cavern is basically the same thanks to thoughtful preservation efforts 👌. The tour was lovely. We had a great tour guide. He shared his "cave humor" and he obviously has a great passion for the caverns. This is a DO NOT MISS when in the area. We'll worth that $20-ish ticket. You must make reservations and the tours fill up fast so vest to plan ahead for this adventure.

Loved the tour. The caverns are a gem and should be a must see for arizona attractions. That they have kept the integrity of the caves and still made it wheelchair accessible is unbelievable. What a treasure.

Highly recommend both tours; however, the Big Room tour is not available in the summer due to the bats return to the cave. This is a guided tour describing the discovery and preservation of this live cave system. It is absolutely amazing to see. No photos allowed in the cave.The campground is clean with incredible views.

Lovely gardens and paths around park.We did the rotunda cavern. Rich, our guide was fun...the caverns were spectacular. One sees the glory of God in his work underneath.

Another beautiful Arizona State Parks. I recommend doing both cave tours, Rangers took their time, answering questions, and being very aware of how important it is to maintain these gorgeous caves.I stayed in a cabin for 2 nights, it is very comfy, and has a refrigerator and microwave. It was chilly out, I stayed nice and warm in the cabin. Very clean cabin and adjoining restrooms across the road.

So amazing!! We were told at the entrance no more tours and went into the park and discovered the gate gal incorrect! You can get a tour by walking in. It is probably better to assure a tour if you book online. But they do have wonderful tours throughout the day. They stop the cave tours for the bat breeding. Reopening in October. It's all on line and explains all the different things to do there. It's worth every effort to see it. No cameras, phones, etc. Enjoy!!

Arizona has wonderful state parks & campgrounds. We loved Kartchner Caverns State Park. We had a spacious site with full hook-ups and was located on the end - no neighbors on our door side! Site #11 is the best! We had mountain views. It was very quiet. Our site was clean and raked. Rangers were helpful and guided hikes were offered. There were a number of hiking trails which provided elevated views of the area. The caverns are worth seeing. We went on one of the tours offered. It was interesting!

Great campground. Some sites have sewer connections in addition to water and electricity. There are several trails, and we took one with great views. The caves are a main attraction. We were not able to get on a tour. Plan ahead and book the tour far in advance of your trip.

This was my second visit and enjoyed it as much if not more than my first! Erika was a Phenomenal guide and enjoyed her job immensely. The tour was exciting to see you again with all the different formations in history of the park.

Went there for the hiking - great experience. All the trails are moderate difficulty with only a few spots where you have to work around some of the larger rocks. For the Guindani trail, it was recommended to go counterclockwise, you follow the wash and it starts off harder, but is very beautiful and then the second half is much easier.

Camping at the campground is a delight for a few days. They provide a nice modern place to camp. Hookup includes water and electricity a picnic table, fire ring and paved driveway.The visitors center has a good number of displays and extensive explanations of the caves. There is a movie about the history and discovery of the ancient caverns. Admission to the two caves is affordable and they are spectacular!In addition there are a number of well marked hiking trails to explore and the park is close enough to Benson for fuel and anything else that you need.

What an amazing adventure! Camping at the grounds was great. Water, electricity, a table and firepit are provided, and the space is pretty huge. Bathrooms are large and clean, with showers separate from the toilet stalls. There was fire wood in our firepit, which was a great surprise as we thought we needed to go out to buy some, but didn't have to. DO THE CAVE TOUR! Our tour guide, Cody, was amazing, funny and informative. We were only able to do the Rotunda-Throne Room, but will definitely come back to do the Big Room. The Visitor Center is a MUST, but also check out the Bat Cave Cafe (the tamales were surprisingly great) and Hummingbird Garden.

The caverns are absolutely stunning inside. They have incredible rock formations. They have Stalactites and stalagmites and columns and soda straw formations and more. The colors are beautiful too. Unfortunately, you can NOT take your cell phones in the caverns, so you can not take any pictures inside the caverns. The inside of the caverns is like being on another world or another planet. They have lockers that you can store your items in until after the tour. They also have a great museum with a lot of history and artifacts. There is a gift shop too. We were very glad we visited.

Nice park with RV campground, Caverns and hiking trails. Beautiful views all around. The RV park is nice and clean , spots are paved with picnic tables and a fire pit. Only water and electricity no sewer connection. Beautiful view, quiet, Verizon and T mobile services are very weak. There is park WiFi.

Didn't go into the caverns but had a great time hiking the Ocotillo trail around the area. Trail was engaging and safe, weather was perfect! Definitely would recommend, day parking was $7 without the AZ State Park annual pass.

Loved the tour of the Rotunda and Throne Room where Kubla Khan is, so much that we decided to stay another day and see the Big room which we were very glad we did. Our guide for the Big Room was a Ranger named Max and she was so knowledgeable and quite funny.

This place is great. When you enter the tunnels you will go through multiple door systems to lock out the dry desert air.These create a very cool feeling entering different parts of the underground areas. You will see blasted tunnels and the amazing natural cave system.Highly recommend.

What an amazing park! The care people take in preservation of the cave is really striking! The cave really is a magical place! The visitor’s center and museum are amazing and fun for kids! Junior ranger program is a bit challenging, but fun! We were not able to secure RV camp spot on their campground - RV road trip during Easter week. But we were able to stay on their ginormous overflow parking lot overnight ! 15$, no gates, pay station with envelopes or pay in am when rangers come in. The overflow parking lot is very big and you can find a secluded corner.Cafe on premises is really minimal. Highly recommend visiting this park! Unfortunately no pictures allowed inside the cave.

I had a great experience exploring the cave with the $23 standard tour. The tour guide was funny and engaging. I was just disappointed we couldn’t take photos even with a cell phone and no flash. To take photos you needed a special $125 ticket for tours the third Saturday of each month.

My husband and I took the Rotunda/Throne Room tour. The formations are absolutely spectacular!! We were in awe and totally enjoyed viewing the beautiful, amazing, and large number of different types of formations. I am a photography buff and would loved to have taken photos but of course we read the rules and knew ahead of time that photos are not allowed. Believe me, photos would not do Kartchner Caverns justice!! You have to see it with your own eyes. A special detail is that the caverns is entirely wheelchair accessible! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting details. We are from the East Coast originally and have seen Luray Caverns, which does not have the variety of formations that Kartchner has. I highly recommend that everyone experience this beautiful and magical place. Water is truly an amazing force of nature.

Very peaceful campground. Easy to walk trails, dog friendly. The water pressure was low, @ 30 psi, we filled our tank and used our onboard pump. Cell service was good enough to stream, T-Mobile hot spot and Verizon phones. Take the tours, they are well done. The visitors center has a short film and a museum. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful. We had a pull thru site with a 32 foot fifth wheel and had plenty of room. We will be back to enjoy the peaceful scenery.

We were here on 5/21/24 and arrived 45 minutes early. We didn't look at the little museum area inside the main building very much but we did sit and watch the video after the tour and were glad we did. We appreciated our experience much more. The staff is very particular about the cavern and we are okay with that. They are trying very hard to preserve the cavern environment and are proactive in doing so. Our tour guide was Bailey and she was fun and informative in telling the "rules" and educating the guests. We loved it and were impressed by our 1 hour tour experience and walked away knowing more abut caves than we had before. Two days later we were in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM on a self guided tour. All that we learned at Kartchner Caverns State Park was helpful as we spent 3 hours in Carlsbad. At Kartchner there are strict rules, no back packs, purses, pets, cameras, cell phones, food etc. They ask if the shoes you are wearing have been in a cave/cavern in the last year, if yes, they spray your shoes and to help bats stay healthy from diseases. If you accidentally touch something you shouldn't they prefer you tell them so they can flag that spot and clean it after the tour. No shaming the guests. It was not cold in the cavern. We wore shorts and t-shirts and were just fine in late May. We would recommend this tour to anyone there was a person in a wheelchair in our group and she did just fine. We would go back and do a different tour for another unique experience. After our tour we simply drove over to the cabin which we had reserved and stayed there for the night. It was a nice cabin for the 2 of us but it had a separate "room" with a pocket door with 2 sets of bunk beds. No running water but it did have a heater/AC and a microwave and mini fridge with cabinets, shelves, mirror, plenty of light a table and 4 chairs. There were 2 doors the "front" door was facing west to a grove of trees. There is a picnic table outside and a fire pit. We brought wood but ended up not making a fire. The bathrooms were mostly clean. The counters and sinks could have used a good scrub. There are 3 toilets and 2 shower stalls. The water pressure was fine. Only one bathroom was open at that time of year, not the one across the street from the 4 cabins "back" door which we thought was odd. There is a trailhead that starts from the campground. It was very pleasant but we did not go too far and turned around because we were unprepared for a hike at that time. We were simply curious. Not many other campers or RV's were there when we were there. We would recommend this State Park to our adult children and their families and go back with them! The photos are from the campground.

4.7

(3390)

4.5

(1846)

2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602, USA

My family and i had such a great time exploring and learning the history of caves! Our tour guide Jaye was awesome! She has a great sense of humor and made sure everyone in our tour group got to be apart of the experience. She was “boulder” than most and “rocked” as a tour guide!! All the staff we encountered here were so kind and helpful! The prickly pear slushy was so good! I would recommend if you are visiting Tucson to check out the Colossal Cave!

The atmosphere was a amazing. It was a bit dark but it just added to the ambiance. One of the few enjoyable outdoor activities to do in Arizona during summer. The guide made my son an honorary tour guide letting him help w/ stuff. He said it was one of the best days of his life.My only complaint is there's a steep staircase as you enter before your eyes adjust. I fell and sprained my ankle. Thankfully the walk is fairly easy and slow and I was able to make it through the hike allowing my son this very enjoyable experience.

Let's be honest first impressions you're going to a hole in the ground. Then you get there and it's a hole in the ground. The staff are more than pleasant and our guide was in a great mood until she lost a few people. No seriously she was a great tour guide and the trip took a little over an hour and you wouldn't even know. Really for a hole in the ground it is really cool and a great experience especially if you're going with kids. When we went there was very few people and the weather was great. There's no need to bring jackets or warm gear even in the winter due to the cave having it's own climate system and it being comfortable year-round. Definitely worth checking out.

Our guide, Adam, was great, as was the cave! We’ve been to a few caves in the western US, and they never fail to impress… this one included.They offer deeper access for more skilled adventurers, though they require a test of your ability before letting you loose.The history here is unique, and the tour was fun and memorable.

The cave tour and park are so neat. There was a lot of great information provided in the tour. I learned a lot about the history, cave facts, and different formations. The tour guide we had, Everett, was hilarious. The jokes were fast and frequent. He was also highly informed, enthusiastic, and kind. This has been one of my favorite vacation experiences in a while, and I travel a lot.Oh and you do not want to miss out on the prickly pear soft serve. It’s house made and delicious.

Our tour guide was Arik, he was excellent, knowledgeable, and funny. He took the time to explain the ins and outs of the caves very well. The cave tour was not too difficult and was a very unique experience especially if you have not been underground before!

This is a great place for a quick day trip. I have never been here before today, and I am a Tucson native. It is for sure worth the trip. The gift shop was very nice and the employees were nice.Our tour guide, Everett, was friendly and very knowledgeable. He made the visit very pleasant and informative. I look forward to visiting again!Don't forget to visit the little cafe, everything was fresh, hot and delicious. I would recommend the colossal pretzel! We also had the chicken fingers and corn dog, which were also delicious!

This was a really cool place! Super close to Tucson and definitely family friendly! This was my 1st cave as I normally am not a fan of tight spaces but it was honestly great. Not once did I feel scared or anxious. The staff are also super friendly! Adam was our guide and he had jokes but was also really good about reassuring uneasy guests and kids. I highly recommend! Its a nice way to spend the afternoon with going full on desert park mode.

It was a nifty cave system; the 45 minute tour only scratched the surface of the whole cavernous system. Our cave guide, Adam, was superb. His voice projected well, informing us about the history of the cave, and he was genuinely a pleasant person. I highly recommend Adam as a tour guide. Keep up the wonderful work!

This is now my favorite place, it has many wonderful hidden treasures. Thanks for taking great care of this beautiful rock guys!Our tour guide was Avrik he's the best! He helped my 12yr old son overcome his fear of heights just by talking to him and he treated us with respect.

If you are visiting Arizona this is a must stop!! This is my first time back to Colossal Cave since I was kid. The whole family took the Ladder Tour and our Tour Guide Everett was the best!!! The drive down was beautiful. It was very easy to find and had plenty of free parking. The nature trail was short and sweet and it had a gorgeous view. I highly recommend the Ladder Tour for children 12 and up. Everett made the tour so fun and had so much patience for our kids “million questions”. We learned so much and left feeling excited for our next trip back. Thank you Everett and the gift shop attendants for your kindness and help.

Decided to get out of the desert heat, literally, by going underground. My brother suggested this place to me to hit up while in the Tucson area. So, booked tickets online for a given time slot and head there for the tour of the caves. It was a nice diversion of the heat of the surface and some interesting formations in the caves. Our guide was a 17 year old girl who knew her history of the place well and gave us a nice narrated tour. I think her name was Jessica(?) We got a ice cream at the little outdoor cafe area near the entrance of the caves. So, all in all, nice visit. Oh, you do need to check in at the gift shop before you join the tour to let them know you have showed up for your time slot.

This "Classic" cave tour, with 8-10 people, was led by Eric. The cave was tremendously interesting with tight enough passages and minimal lighting to lend a degree mystery, challenge and excitement. Walkways and stairways - constructed largely by the CCC in the 1930s - were easy and safe enough without being theme park "manicured." Eric was a most excellent guide. He was knowledgeable about the history of the cave's discovery, exploration and exploitation and its geology and formation. His presentation was done with humor, intelligence and enthusiasm. Great fun.

Dalton, where do I even begin... I mean, I expected it to just be a normal fun time at a cave, but Dalton, oh but you just made it a hundred times better. Not to mention your STUNNING features and your AMAZING personality. The moment I saw you, I knew that this was going to be no normal experience. I mean, you made every part of it so interesting, I mean some things I would have never noticed if it wasn't for you. Dalton, you are the ONE and ONLY PERFECT tour guide.But Adam...

Our guide, Emilio, was great. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The Dad Jokes were an added bonus along with his luscious locks of hair, ha! The cave itself was pretty neat. You go up and down over 300 stairs throughout this walking tour. The temperature is always about 71° therefore, most people will not need any type of jacket. The stairs have handrails so traversing them shouldn't be that difficult for the average person. In certain spots along the tour there are some low hanging protrusions for which you will have to watch your head. There is a nice gift shop and a small café booth where you can get snacks and beverages.

Wonderful tour guide he didn't go to fast and we brought our 80 year old grandpa<3. My 5 year old daughter got creeped out and he helped her and my husband exit the tour early as well definitely a stop worth making and it's not creepy at all. Very neat part of history.

Honestly, I came with low expectations and could not have been more wrong. This was an amazing experience for our entire group (ages 11-63). Between the knowledgeable tour guide (Tex), the incredible cave formations and the bats flying around, the hour tour flew by. The tour guide even spent extra time with the youngest answering questions and helping him pan for gold identifying all the rocks in the bag. We highly recommend this experience.BONUS: You are encouraged to take as many pictures and videos as you desire! This is not the case in other AZ caves.

I loved the tour and I’m not an out doors type of person. My boyfriend is very adventurous and he enjoyed the tour as well and would like to try the other tours they have to offer! ADAM our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about his job. Adam kept us engaged in the tour the whole time!The ladies in the gift shop were lovely and caring and even helped me charge my phone! The lady at the food stand cafe was also all smiles and lovely and made suggestions on most popular meals. Try the prickly cactus ice cream and the colossal pretzel if you can.This was one of the best trips my boyfriend and I had and the price is unbeatable ! Treat yourself to this trip! You will have fun and the people there are ALL awesome. Went Friday .

Such a cool place to visit! Highly recommend. Our tour guide was great! I wish I could remember his name maybe Eric? Overall it was really fascinating and super cool to be able to go so deep into the cave. It took maybe 45-50 minutes once the tour started. Make sure you get there about 10 mins early!

We did the Classic Tour with 4 adults and 1 kid in our party, guided by Tex. He was great at keeping the group engaged and had the kid with us be his helper which was a super fun experience for the kiddo. We really enjoyed exploring the caves and took a lot of photos, learned lots of history and that this is even used as a wedding venue!! The caves are not very deep so the temperature was warmer than other caves i have been to— no need for a jacket.

Had a great time. Hidden treasure in AZ. I have lived in AZ my entire life, and I didn't know about this place. It has a great history, and our tour guide was hilarious and knowledgeable. Great for a day trip! The folks in the gift shop were able to move us to an earlier tour since we arrived an hour early. We were very grateful.

Chill experience throughout and the tour was awesome. We had Eric as our tour guide (think that's his name, if so he smells nice) and they really give you the run down of the place, normal cave tour was well worth it. Get yourself some prickly pear ice cream and come on down if you're in the area. I loved it.

Our group of four enjoyed the ladder tour with our friendly guide Arike. While this cave tour was very mild with some climbing and a few tighter gaps, most will find this tour a great introduction to caving. Would highly recommend and hope you get Arike as your guide. Also, the prickly pear soft serve is a great way to celebrate this wonderful experience.

My family and I visited Colossal Cave last week and it exceeded our expectations. We took the classic cave tour and had a great time.Dalton was our guide and shared many interesting facts and stories as part of the cave tour. He was very personable and made the tour fun and interactive with the guests. We even saw a bat flying around inside!I originally thought we would spend about an hour at the cave tour, but after it was done we spent a few more hours having lunch there, hiking around the nature trails, and checking out the gift shop.The food was good and reasonably priced. Most of the food was fried and had a little wait due to the fryer capacity. If looking for a tasty snack I would recommend the Colossal pretzel and also the prickly pear soft serve ice cream!The nature trail was very nice and not crowded at all. We enjoyed seeing the desert plants, especially the baby Saguaro cactus that we were trying to spot during our hike. It is so impressive how long it takes for the Saguaro cactus to reach full size after starting off so tiny and vulnerable on the desert floor.I would highly recommend Colossal Cave to anyone looking for something interesting to do in Tuscon area. I definitely will plan on returning to take the ladder tour on our next visit to Tuscon.

Our cave tour was fun and educational thanks to Tex! The cave is well preserved. Has such a cool history behind it. It’s just a very fun experience and great escape from the heat. They let us take all the videos and photos we wanted. Worth the drive and money. The food was limited but it looked good. The gift shop was cool lots of things to look at.Tex made us an amazing grilled cheese at the end of the tour 🤪 5 stars for the whole experience.

What a fun adventure! Cute gift store and yummy treats available. Enjoyed the prickly pear soft serve. The tour was great, made even better by our guide Jay. You have to be able to do stairs, but otherwise, the cave is easy to navigate. Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

Good-looking tour guide! Dalton was friendly, very knowledgeable about the cave system and has a great sense of humor. I would recommend the basic cave tour to anyone with smaller children. It’s a short but exciting little adventure with lots of fun facts for kiddos and adults alike. You learn a bit about the history and lots about the cave formations. I would love to go again for one of the more challenging tours.

I had a wonderful experience at the Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Classic Cave Tour. Our tour guide was Emilio, who was informative, chill, friendly, and chock full of dad jokes 😅!It is so incredible what mother nature forms, and how in the right hands of humans, can be kept safe from harm. Beautiful views inside and out of the cave. I am definitely returning when I'm in the area once again to spend a whole day there. 🥰🥰Note:It is a bit warm in the cave, and we were informed that in the summer months, it can be extremely humid in there.Clean restrooms are available. It is not out of the way to get to.If you would like, you can tip your tour guide! I was a dummy, and didn't think to bring any cash to do so. Hopefully this review makes up for it this time!P.S. Emilio says to mention how luscious his hair is so, EMILIO HAS LUSCIOUS HAIR! Haha!Thank you again, good sir!

4.7

(3119)

4.5

(710)

16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, USA

+5 other lists

I am giving this five stars from previous visits. However, on my most recent visit, the exhibit inside the visitors center was blocked off, only the shop was open.The staff was very friendly and there was a large selection of souvenirs and gift items. The view of the surrounding area was great and located just in front of the visitors center was a nice and short cactus garden.Restrooms and water fountains are located outside, so you can access these even if the center is closed.

Small national park but worth the trip! It's beautiful with lots of short hikes available. The visitor center is small and the staff wasn't particularly friendly, but those huge cacti make up for any shortcomings. Make sure you're drinking lots of water while you're here

Any day you get to visit a National Park is a great day. This was my first visit to the East side of Saguaro National Park and it was so great. We did the Loop drive and stopped to hike a few trails in a loop. The gift shop of course had some great finds, including another magnet for my National Park magnet board!

The visitor center had exhibits, friendly staff, a nice gift shop, and clean restrooms. The park itself was amazing! There are many trails, from short and easy to long and difficult. An 8-mile paved road with many pullout loops through the park so you can get close to the giant saguaro and many other cacti. The scenery is breathtaking.

Very friendly staff! The staff was very helpful and kind—showing is the best things to do while we were here and talking to us about the various flowers, trees, and cacti that were in bloom. We thoroughly enjoyed the park.

Our family stopped here on the way back to Florida. My wife and I were here a few years ago, and we wanted our grandchildren to see it. It is well worth taking the eight mile slow drive through the park. We have nothing like this at home, the kids were amazed!

Wonderful visitor center showing the history of the plants and wildlife in the area. We watched a great film over the park and they also have a very nice gift shop. Recommended.

Not as friendly as the Red Hills Visitor center but this is a nice stop. There is a huge lookout window where you can enjoy the desert and learn a lot! The attendants did not speak (or greet) us but they did take the time to greet and speak to the other couple fr Indiana. We got the info just listening to them speak to those guests. The selection of souvenirs is limited on this side... but they have more learning materials and a 20 min film about the park.

Amazing! I had never in my life seen such cacti in my entire life it was absolutely incredible sight. Miles of beautiful Trails, birds, and wildlife. A place I will definitely come back to.

We stopped at the visitor center to pick up a trail map and chat with the ranger about the best hike for our afternoon. They shared insider tips about where to stop, and steered us to the Cactus Loop and Lime Kiln trails which were excellent. This is the main stop to refill water and use restrooms. Our family collects national park magnets and we got a historic Saguaro poster print on sale. Do check out the colorful donor mosaic on the outside wall. It lists the wildlife and plants you'll see as you hike.

Love this place. It’s so peaceful and beautiful and empty. I first visited 30 years ago and this place stuck with me. I’m so happy to have made it back.

Always a great place to visit. If you like to bike it is a wonderful 8 mile loop that twists and turns.

Have been here a handful of times now and am awestruck each time. They just installed some new benches on some of the trails and I am grateful. There are several trails to choose from and a few are accessible to wheelchairs. There are numerous vistas and pullouts along the 8 mile main loop. Whether here for an hour or a full day it doesn’t disappoint. This is the desert so bring sunscreens and water!

Very nice people at the center. The video they show is well worth the watch before entering the park. We did the 8 mile loop road and stopped at various vistas. The road is curvy but beautifully maintained. Amazing views. Stopped at havalina rock to watch the sunset and walk around which was absolutely amazing. Then we wrote on the way to the end of the trail stopped in the last parking lot to observe the night sky and you can see all of Tucson lit up!

Absolutely great visitor center. Great little exhibit, good prices and variety on gifts and really knowledgble volunteers and Rangers. Very clean and well kept and one of the best visitor centers for a national park I've ever been to. Go see the Saguaros!

The visitor center is small but has a lot of educational materials that describe the local vegetation and wildlife. There is also a gift shop. I highly recommend stopping in, especially if you have kids with you so they can learn and feel the various items.

The visitor center was a bit busy due to the 3 day weekend. No matter. Those ladies were all over it with recommendations and enthusiasm. There was a 15% sale for the holiday and free entry to the road. That was awesome. The whole park was very well maintained and just great to wander through. There were various education walks and information offered as well.

Great National Park visitor center! Knowledgeable staff, nice display area with information, and start of the paved loop around the east district of the park.Clean bathrooms too. Note that this is the east district. The west district is across Tucson.

Love the visit here at the Rincon Mountain visitor center. Staff and rangers were very knowledgeable and obviously love what they do. The park is absolutely beautiful! Lots of trails to explore!

Wonderful spot at Mica Picnic area to walk with BoB stroller ADA friendly! One of my most favorite places on a nice day to get out and enjoy the beautiful Sonora desert scenery.

Saguaro Nat’l Park: the Cactus Forest Dr. loop is one of the great bike rides. Short (~8mi) and on paved roads, but the ride and the scenery is so awesome.

A free visitor's center with great views of the mountains and saguaro cactus. 🏜We were in a rush and were unable to drive through the park, unfortunately. 😔However, we got to experience some of what the Saguaro National Park had to offer at the visitor's center. We also were able to buy some magnets and souvenirs at the visitor's center. The Park Rangers and staff were eager to help and very kind and knowledgeable. A beautiful experience. What a beautiful world we live in. Thank you, Jehovah GOD in Jesus Christ Name, Amen💚🙏💚

Saguaro is a unique national park and saguaro itself is a sight to watch. It was raining a lot the day we went so we could not hike much . But still the beauty of the park was really amazing ! The visitor center is located conveniently in the entrance. We did the loop road and a bit of the mica trail. Could have done more had it not rained. Our kids got their junior ranger badges. Totally worth a visit.

4.7

(1268)

4.5

(1167)

3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730, USA

Very nice AZ State Park, located about 3 hours South of Phoenix. They have many campsites, and or cabins for lodging. The lake is very large and scenic. There is also a beachfront for swimming. Trails for hiking and it’s known as a popular birding spot. The marina has boat rentals and fishing supplies. The park also has a market/convenience store for last minute items as well as ice, drinks, food items and souvenirs. We have camped here twice in a camper and recently stayed in a cabin. Check out AZ state park website for lodging and reservations.

We rented a cabin for three nights and had a wonderful time! I would say the AC in the cabin alone was worth paying the extra for 🤣. The cabin was very nice. Having a mini fridge, microwave, and outlet for my coffee pot was very nice and so was the small cupboard . There were a few hooks around and a small place for hangers. We played in the lake & we hiked around the lake to our favorite berry tree.

Nice lake and beautiful area of the state. The cabin was nice enough but do yourself a favor and stay at the inn in Patagonia. It's the same price. I say this because the cabin was $120 a night, including shower and bathrooms. However apparently the bathrooms and showers have been closed for months with no ETA on when they'll be repaired. Also, the porta potties were near over flowing. Wasn't a pleasant experience. But such a beautiful area.I will say that Deb at the visitor's center was awesome. Such a nice person, very attentive and kind.

Great Family Fun! Bathrooms are clean! Little store was well stocked. Dog friendly areas away from the beach 🙂 We do reserve a campsite for several nights at least once a year. Boat docking is easy, even for beginners. Totally worth the drive, and day pass fee is very reasonable! We paid $15 on a Friday.

My husband and I took our daughter for the first time and brought a paddle board and kayaks. We all had a wonderful time. There were many families there with children of all ages. It is a calm lake with restrictions on power boats and other motorized vehicles like jetskis, so there are no worries about being in the water. It has a nice beachy area where kids were building sand castles and places to grill. My husband also pointed out cabins in walking distance to stay overnight if you want. For a public area, it was well maintained, and there were a lot of trash cans, so it was easy to make sure it stayed clean. Wonderful place to spend the day or weekend.

Patagonia is a great place to spend the day or camp for a few days. They have cabins you can rent if you don't own an RV and you aren't a tent person. They also have boats you can rent at the marina store from pontoon boats, power boats, small engine 2 person fishing boats, row boats, and canoes. Or of course you can bring your own. There are two different boat ramps to drop your floating palaces in the water and plenty of parking around them. The area is very scenic and beautiful with hiking trails as well. There's a designated no wake zone for swimmers and boats without a motor. The lake also has on lake restrooms that you can dock at or swim to. It can be an inexpensive day trip or a pricier camping weekend depending on what you plan to do. Of course there is also plenty of fishing and all around fun for the entire family. This is definately one of my favorite weekend/day trip getaways during the summer. I highly recommend you check it out!

Loved this State Park. Clean. Restrooms and showers huge, clean, heated. Has some vandalism related to Park property. Why? Quien sabe?We stayed in #18 in a 26' class C.

My family had a great time at the lake and campground. The campground spots are very close together. Be prepared to be right next to your neighbors, but the facilities are great. Clean bathrooms, showers, store, and a visitors center.

It's a beautiful place it's just their drawing is very misleading. We picked a cabin close to the restrooms but they don't tell you that you have to go down this steep hill to get to the restrooms. I'm 76 years old and getting up in the middle of the night tracing down a gravel path to go to the restroom is not for me persome of the cabins had portable bathrooms outside but not our cabin and I don't know why. It's a beautiful place the scenery is gorgeous the cabins were nice and clean and everyone around there was very nice.

Kayaking: Started out at the boat launch outside the store, paddled to the west side of the lake by the spillway. Saw water birds, boaters, anglers and families on the shore with kids in the picnic areas. Also spotted some cows. Lots of parking. Parked my vehicle up the hill and walked back to the kayak both to unload and load the kayak. Pretty local lake. $20 fee on the weekend, $15 during the week. There is a visitors center that is informational with books, maps, suvinors and helpful staff. The visitors center also provides hiking trail information and paper handout trail maps. Restrooms at the visitor center as well.

Tons of area for families to spend the day at or on the lake. Boats allowed. Fishing allowed. Beach with marked swim area to keep kiddos safe. Clean restrooms. Lots of shade and BBQs. Unload area and over-flow parking when it gets busy.Military Discount available. Camping Available

Great campground! Nice amount to beautiful birds to watch! The hiking trail that starts with the birding trail is beautiful! Saw deer while on the trail. Don’t be shocked when you walk up on some open range cows on the trail!

It is the perfect little lake to go and do a half day , full day or even camp out at. The area has bathrooms near by and clean. Plenty of trash cans and they are dumped regularly.

Loved our day at Patagonia Lake! Very well maintained and clean. The employees throughout the park were super friendly! Had a blast with our rented kayak! We will be going back soon.

Camped for the weekend, site 75. It was fantastic! Sites are a little closer together than I prefer, but 73 & 75 looked like some of the bigger ones and back up to the day use beach area, so no one camping behind you. Short walk to the beach, which was great for kids, lots of shade to kick back and watch/relax. Skunks were kinda fun in the evenings, just stay out of their way. Clean restrooms and showers. Visitor center and market were both great. Lots of cool areas to explore and hang out. Would definitely go back.

A wonderful desert oasis with camping, boating, fishing, a beach and hiking trails. Great scenery combined with the surrounding hills and mountains. Only spent the afternoon but it looked like a great place to spend a week or more.

A beautiful, peaceful little lake area. Great for paddle boarding, swimming, kayaking, picnicking and relaxing . Beautiful scenery lots of little picnic area you can kayak too across the main water for a more private experience. 😉 it's a great little daily or weekend getaway.

This park is kind of remote. Not much to do if you don't boat or bird. This is a big birder park. Took the bird boat tour which was nice, $7 each. This is the first of 7 AZ state parks we've been to in last 2 months that had state park police. Just one but still better than the rest. Took the Sonoita hike. You have to register for a permit to hike there so the rangers know how many people to look for if you get lost. River was too high and fast to ford due to recent rains so we had to turn around and come back. Don't camp by the visitors center because that is the tent area and they are very noisy. Fortunately they have police here. There is a mini mart here, not much, almost nothing fresh, and expensive. Also sell gas. $3.62 when it is $2.89 back by I10 but I filled up because there isn't another gas station for 30 miles.

I love coming to this lake because of the trails for bird watching plus the fishing. Restrooms are always super clean.

What a beautiful place to visit with families, boating, kayaking and walk by the lake. Find birds, prestine lake water and mountains. Scenic way from Tucson to Patagonia. Stop by the Patagonia town for some coffee and short eats. Must visit for some peaceful, serene time.

Visited a week ago. Enjoyed hiking the loop, tons of birders sharing what they were seeing. Highlight of the day seeing a coatimundi on the trail. Lovely State Park and very friendly park rangers. Will be back to camp!

4.6

(2633)

4.0

(300)

400 Patagonia Lake Rd, Nogales, AZ 85621, USA

1 list

Love that you are just a little over an hour away, perfect 1 day getaway. We stopped and played in the snow and had a ride on the ski lifts. More snow was expected for today, so thinking they will be open for skiers this weekend. We also enjoy stopping in Summerhaven for a snack before heading down the mountain. The views are beautiful.

Lovely views from the mountain top. The forest is refreshing and a great place to take a hike when it isn’t too hot.

Great senic drive with lodging, restaurants, and activities like riding the ski lift. Control road great for 4x4's and site seeing!

My absolute favorite drive in Tucson. The drive up Mount Lemmon is just beautiful. Simply seeing the landscape change with elevation gain is pretty wild. You lose the giant saguaros pretty low and it turns to a beautiful alpine environment.Be careful, the road is very steep on the outside. I highly recommend an evening drive, stopping at the many views on the way up, and watch the sunset from the top. If you wait long enough, you’ll see the city lights pop on below. <3

Picturesque Old West Americana at its finest! This was an incredible place to visit, and has an enriching topography that compels one to truly stand in awe of nature. Breathtaking and beautiful, this was a trip much enjoyed and a must if you’re in the Tucson area. Highly recommended!

Great view and nice road to drive to the peak. We will have to walk 2-3 miles from the peak parking lot. It will be colder and windy that you will expect. Bring some jackets and blankets with you. You will see the whole town with downview and the clouds will be upon your arms.

You cross about 5 different eco-regions on this drive, not to mention some fantastic views of the Tucson valley. You go from arid desert to subalpine up at the ski valley, and it's amazing as you cross the regions driving this byway. The Arizona trail crosses in this area as well and there are tons of day use, hiking trails, and camping areas here as well.

Beautiful drive up into the mountains. Scenery changes from desert to pine topped mountains. We encountered snow on the sides of the road near the top with many scenic pulloffs along the way. The are also some wonderful waterfalls along the way.

Mount Lemmon is a must visit if you’re in the Tucson area. It’s a dramatically different landscape and scenery than what’s found in Tucson. The further you go up Mount Lemmon there are lots of trees, mountains, as well as a place to ski. It is a great place to visit if you enjoy bike riding, but it’s a very steep climb. There are numerous places to pull over to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. I highly recommend visit in Mount Lemmon.

Very Majestic Mountain! Beautiful drive and very scenic! I went multiple time. Try the Ski ride while you up there and don’t miss out breakfast in Iron Door. They open breakfast at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays.

It's definitely worth the trip up the mountain. Lots to see. Highly recommend. I had to walk up from the ski area since the road was closed to traffic. Once at the top, there are a few sets of radio towers. I recommend heading up to the upper one. There is a rock outcrop behind it with a spectacular view of the valley below.

Green forested mountain. It is really clean and offers great viewpoints and hiking trails. The lake is also good for fishing.

The 27 mile Mt Lemmon scenic byway located in the Coronado National Park was an amazing drive where you start from seeing Cactus to alpines as you drive and reach higher elevations more than 6000 feet with temperatures dropping 30 to 40 degrees. You will feel the temperatures change as you drive through the winding roads, and you will find many pull outs for picture opportunities and some with hikes. Mt Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains North of Tucson Arizona. Great way to spend your day while visiting Tucson, AZ that is only approximately one and a half hour drive from Tucson City. If you have the time for this drive is well worth it.

Mount LemmonTucson, ArizonaThis is a fantastic drive that will take you to an elevation of over 8000 feet. Along the way you'll pass tons of hoodoos. I was actually able to climb one and hang out for a while. There was hardly anyone else up there.At the top, you'll reach a small town called Summerhaven. However, when I went there was almost nothing open. I'm really surprised that this isn't more popular. Highly recommended.

We drove up as a family for the 4th and enjoyed the cooler temps and relaxing nature. Other than Summerhaven there are plenty of spots to park and get out and enjoy nature with scenic views. Just make sure to pay the day pass fee via the QR codes at the park sites.Driving up to the observatory the gate was closed but it was the ski resort height with great views.

Mount Lemmon is an absolute showstopper right now with its breathtaking Autumn colors. If you're up for a scenic treat, this is the place to be! Don't miss out on this lovely natural spectacle!

I love it up here it's nice to get away from the city and it's an in day trip up to .the was up is so beautiful but be careful if you get car sick lol

A well traveled, but well loved mountain pass that reminds me of Wyoming and Montana. I say this, not only because of altitude and pine, but that I've seen "the magnificent " roaming around up there

My. Lemmon… is just everything you want in a days drive up a mountain! It is fabulous. Go!

Gorgeous drive and views. Better have good breaks. Went thru three climates with a ski resort at the top. Lots of snow. Have a cookie

HIGHLY RECOMMEND**In moderate traffic, the scenic 27-mile drive up Mt Lemmon took about 1.5 hours at 230p on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, it can take longer if you make stops along the way. I enjoyed the calmness of the drive up to the top and in to Summerhaven (tourist and residential area). The area offers: so much:Breathtaking vistasBeautiful rock formationsVarious trees & wildflowersWildlife (turkeys) viewingOvernight CampingPicnicsHikingFishingSkiingSteward observatory (Mt Lemmon SkyCenter); reservation only for science programsMt Lemmon Hotel (cute cabins)SummerHavenPlease mind the posted speed because there was law enforcement along the route.

What an amazing drive with astounding views as you climb higher and higher. A fantastic way to beat the summer heat. Plenty of options for adventurous hikers and mountain bikers too.

It’s about an hour drive up Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway with viewpoints along the way as well as trials and campgrounds. The peak of the mountain is Marshall Gulch with large trees, a stream, and some benches.

9,000 feet high at top, but not much air. Great hikes. Meadow and Mt. Lemmon loop #5 a 2.1 mile top-of-mountain easy path, but even small hills a challenge at altitude.

A nice, short escape from the heat and hustle and bustle of town. Beautiful scenery and a few places to grab some good food. We bring the kids here whenever we're in town to get some cool, fresh air. Views from the top via the ski lift are pretty great.

Love the views during our trip up the mountain. My husband couldn't believe the trip with all the twists and turns. We visited the general store for the fudge and souvenirs. Then we went to the restaurant for a fabulous lunch. Just make sure that you dress appropriately for the temperature change.

Beautiful drive up the mountain with amazing views and changing landscape from desert to pine. Blue skies, a nice breeze - a great retreat from the summer heat today. Bought some delicious fudge at the General Store and stopped for lunch before heading home.

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5.0

(3265)

Arizona 85619, USA

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We took the tram because my wife doesn't like to hike. I'm planning to return next weekend alone for sure.What an interesting and stunningly beautiful experience! The no extra charge headsets with access to a very good recorded narrative helped understand what we were seeing as we followed a good sized, fast running stream that can/does become a raging river during the rainy season. The guide said the monsoon season is spectacular! Be sure to bring your camera. It's a huge stunningly gorgeous canyon; the river is very, very beautiful and the canyon walls are nature at its very finest!The tram was open air and quite comfortable, with roomy seats, easy on and off. Our driver and tour guide was both very friendly and informative during the about a half hour ride up the canyon and back down. There are nine pickup and drop off points. Most of these are points of particular beauty as well as departure points for short and longer hikes. I noted individual picnic tables tucked away in many attractive settings all along the tramway as well as restrooms at most stops.The daily park entry fee, per car, is 8 bucks (might be 6 bucks. I paid by credit card and wasn't attentive). The all-day tramway fee is 15 dollars per person. Purchase can be done online or at credit card machines near the launch point. A ticket provides tram access at either end or at any of 9 stops, all day on the day of purchase.

Sabino Canyon is a hikers paradise offering trails at every level. For the less athletic, a bus service is a great alternative that hikers can jump on and off during the one hour tour of the canyon.The canyon bus is windowless (weather permitting) and allows for amazing views of this incredible natural scenery.This is definitely a “don’t miss” visit just an hour from Central Tucson.Do it!

Absolutely beautiful park. It was crowded due to New Years Day visitors. However, there are enough trails and space for everyone to e joy their little slice of heaven. My partner and I enjoyed every moment of our 1.75-mile hike in the canyons. The experience was unforgettable, and we would definitely come back here to explore the other trails and walk further up the mountain next trip to Tucson. Parts of the hike were steep, and several areas were not well marked, but my partner is a good navigator, so we were able to find our way around. The wash was beautiful, and there were children playing in the water, which was a lovely sound.

Just WOW!! What an incredible experience ... such a beautiful place!! Took the tram ride into the canyon @ $15/person, then walked back (less than 3 miles back). Seats on the OUTSIDE of tram provides the best visual. Great water flowing down from canyon and over a few of the bridges. So beautiful!! Can't wait to go again next year!! Beautiful desert flowers in the spring!!

pretty place to hike in Northeast Tucson. Lots of trails, days worth of hiking. Family and pet friendly, and sometimes there is even water. Somewhere in the park is an incredible crested Saguaro. I havent found it yet, but I will. Only hiked the place once.

Sabino canyon is a great escape from the hustle and bustle. Hiking trails for all skill levels or you can just hike the paved roads and absorb the scenery. There is at least five miles of paved road you can hike on. No vehicles except for the Canyon's Trolley are allowed on the roads. Saguaro cacti 🌵 as far as the eye can see. Lots of wild life.

We were being spontaneous when we headed for Sabino Canyon, and so we didn't know about the requirement of buying shuttle tickets ahead, but we enjoyed a hike that one of the rangers directed us to take that was right from the visitor's center parking lot. We saw a beautiful rock dam waterfall and lots of desert terrain. We hope to go back when we can actually go into the canyon.

Did a very quick afternoon visit to the dam area to check out the water flow from the monsoons. The trail is pretty easy and a wonderful place to wander around for beautiful desert vistas (still quite hot though so be prepared!!). Thrilled with how green the desert looks after all the rain. The views of the mountains were stunning in the afternoon light and some of the cacti are flowering. The pops of color are always such a treat!

Trail#27 Telephone Line. We started hiking at 0700 on March 12, 2023. The weather was perfect and the trail was not busy. Flowers are just starting to bloom and the view was beautiful. We walked back on the pavement and crossed about 9-10 over flowing bridges. Total distance was about 10 miles.

Sabino Canyon is a must stop! We took the tram up to the top. They don't stop on the way up. They stop at the last stop, and you have about 5 minutes to take pictures. You can get back on the tram or walk down. You can get on the tram at any stop on the way down if they have room. They have multiple restrooms, and you can fill your water, but not at many stops, so plan accordingly! We walked back, which was over 3 miles. Stop 8 was our favorite. There's lots of flat rocks and water to dip your feet in. It is a perfect place to rest and have a snack. The views are so beautiful. We also stopped at the information desk before we left, and they were very helpful with information about Mt Lemmon. Steve helped us and gave the best advice. Highly recommend!

This is one of my favorite places because it's a quick and easy way to get out in nature. However, on my last trip, the tram broke down and all the passengers had to walk until we got to a stop for an emergency tram to pick us up. The walk was no big deal for me, but the emergency tram was a crowded, tiny bus and offered no view of the mountains on the way out. I felt like we should have been offered a refund or free ride or something.Also, I always enjoy leaving flowers at the End of Watch memorial for my great great uncle. I am disappointed that they removed his story from the tour guide's script.

Always a lovely place to take a morning or evening walk. Lots of nature. Photo opportunities of the flora & fauna are abounding.Take the tram and get off at various points to explore. Nice place to learn about the desert southwest.

Whether you are visiting or living in Tucson area , Sabino Canyon is a Must go to. A very lovely place for hiking, going for a short walk or cycling. The scenery will make you speechless. It's paved so it's Handicap accessible. You can buy the bus ticket and take a tour or use the bus if you are tired of walking from any of the bus stops along the hike. There are several rest areas .One of my top favorites to go , definitely worth the drive

Apparently, this trail is a success story of a failed government project. This would explain a double lane paved portion of the trail going to the canyon.I suggest you arrive early, like really early. Even in the off season the parking lot gets filled up fast.Another suggestion - take a side trail that runs alongside the paved portion. You will be rewarded with a quiet and more intimate experience with nature, observing deer, rabbits, roadrunners, quail and many other animals that otherwise stay unnoticed.Also check out the weather patterns to know what to expect for the time of the year you are going to be visiting.

Absolutely a beautiful hike. Tons of trails from easy to hard. Take the tram up and walk down for a 1 to 2 on the Philly goat scale. Pictures are from 7 falls, which is a 3 to 4 on the Philly Goat scale due to elevation gain, ankle twister potential, and if it's hot out. Bring lots of water as I used a gallon during a 17 mile hike.Philly Goat Scale = 1 no problem to 10 your gonna die.

Very busy on a Friday with beautiful weather! Ended up in overflow parking, which is quite a distance from the visitor center. Though, they did have someone posted there that was ready to help you read the map and pick a trail based on your ability. We ended up visiting the dam and then took the road further down to hike a couple of trail portions (esperero and rattlesnake) to make our way back to overflow parking and we really enjoyed the hike and views! We also ran into a roadrunner, very cool!

Simply mind blowing. Came in early to ride the bike on the main path (you can only do that before 9 am) then did one of many trails available. Stunning views and changing landscapes seemingly around every corner. Go early and you will have much of it to yourself

Love the canyon! Over and over again. It's a little different each time you go. This trip was Bear Canyon tram and short hike to the dam. The trip is way shorter than up Sabino Canyon which we really enjoy, too.

We love Sabino canyon! Visit every time we are in town. There are dozens of trails in the area and it changes all the time. You have an option to buy a tram ticket to take you up canyon and walk back, walk the road or take a trail. This visit the amount of water in the stream was very high, over some of the bridges. That was a novel experience.

Great experience hiking around Sabino Canyon today. Amazing views. Started up Phoneline trail, then came back down Creek Trail. Took around 3 hours hiking over 5 miles through the mountain. It's definitely the most popular hiking area we've visited, due to so many trails available. If you love the desert, this was a great moderate hike

Nice area for a short or long hike..you choose. There is a parking fee or the National Park pass will get you in for free. There is a shuttle that charges a fee per person that goes throughout the park.

One of the coolest things we did in Tucson! When we arrived parking was easy and cost $8 for the day which can be done at a self serve kiosk. We then did a short hike and decided to take the tram up the canyon because we have little kids, and I’m so happy we did. It’s 1 hour round trip and you can hop on or off at any stop if you want. $15 per person and kids under 3 are free. I feel like we really got to see the landscape and all the cactus looming over the sides of cliffs was spectacular. I highly recommend this ride and park!

A wide variety of hiking and walking roads, pathways, and well maintained trails that will take you on the best adventure of your week with your best buddies, pals and friends. Go take a hike! (and get a Camelbak and fill it with copious amounts of spring water)

This is such a beautiful recreational area and is kept very clean by their awesome and helpful staff. This part of the Sabina Canyon also offers a 3.7 mile, about 1.5 hours long, tram ride which makes nine stops for other hikers to get on and off! All in all, this area is quite popular for all ages, so expect a crowd! :)

Lovely! No vehicles allowed. People hiking or riding the $15 tram with headphone. We went in March when the rains were still coming so there was water in the streams.

Gorgeous park with approachable trails for all skill levels. We spent 3 hours hiking and could have easily done more. I highly recommend!

Lovely day and ride. Bring water as there were no water stations from halfway down until you get back to the visitor center. You will get thirsty even though it's all downhill.

I travel often and very little matches the beauty of Tucson in the spring. The smell alone is enough to make you fall in love with it. Great park and hiking trails range from easy to moderate. Sabino is a perfect place to enjoy all the desert has to offer.

4.8

(4657)

4.5

(4902)

5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA

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If you're a local then you definitely know about this place. If you're from out of town or a visitor then you wanna see this place. We'll worth it. Be prepared to spend at least 3-4 hours checking this place out. But also be prepared for the heat and the weather. Take water, hat and sunscreen. Some people can walk around the grounds. But you can also take the tram. We took the tram and saved the walking. The tram is roughly 45 minutes. But has a lot of information about the jets, planes and other machinery that is also there. Definitely worth the visit.Side note: the food at the snack bar is decent. Don't expect restaurant style food it's a snack bar. Quick food, soft drinks, water and a cool place to sit and relax out of the heat. Enjoy.

Been going here for over 25 years. This place is history. If your into aircraft you have to visit. Make sure you visit all the hangers. And have your phone battery fully charged, you will be taking lots of photos. And have lunch at their cafeteria, it has evolved over the years from a little tin shack to today's modern layout. The burgers are terrific, with kid food available. Standard Covid rules apply. Stop by today!

Amazing museum ,lovely staff very friendly. Absolutely massive so allow plenty of time if u decide to walk not have tour. We walked much better experience. Live air base near so may get chance to see fighters etc take off like we did.Plenty to see toilets and drink vending machines dotted around.

This is a great Air and Space Museum. It is HUGE. There are 5 huge hangars filled with planes and items related to flight. There is a lot of historical information. There are painted portraits of famous people, as well as historical photographs. There are several hundred planes outdoors as well. We spent only 3 hours there, but you could actually spend days there. There is a gift shop too. We enjoyed our visit.

What a fantastic place to visit. The best thing was they had a veteran from WW2 talking about his experiences and the planes he flew in.What an amazing place full of history and nostalgia. I grew up looking in wonderment at planes like the SR71 and being able to see and even touch a masterpiece like this was fantastic.Planes from so many eras that it was hard to stay focused on what was in front of you as you would then catch something out of the corner of your eye and I was off to check it out.It was very warm when I attended but having the hangers air conditioned was great.

A very large section of Airplanes from the WW 2 time period. Anyone who is interested in the air force of the USA will enjoy their time at this Museum. I went to tour the Pima facility and was very impressed with the layout. Lots of great information posted everywhere about all the different models of Airplanes and Jets. This is a must see Museum for everyone at least once in your lifetime. I was planning a one day trip but ended up getting a 2 day pass. I totally enjoyed the time. Check them out sometime soon.

What a wonderful air and space museum! This museum truly has a plethora of aircraft types and they all look great! The tram ride is truly worth it because the conductor makes frequent stops and shows highlights of the planes in the yard. My favorites were the helicopters and the GUPPY! INSIDE the museum buildings are organized displays of aircraft from different eras. Every building is absolutely immaculate and has great signage. Multiple restrooms abound, too , so you don't have to worry about that. The gift shop has some sweet merchandise, both for kids and adults. This museum is massive and worth going multiple times. They are working on a new military transportation area, so that will be good to see next time.

Growing up a Army brat then serving has given me an even greater admiration for our Armed services. Being a massive fan of science and all things aerospace, taking my children to this museum was fantastic. The rich history from 1st US motorized flight, female astronauts, to some of my favorite models I built as a kid in real life size. I feel that the experience is magnified when you are there with your children or grandchildren and could tell them about your own personal experiences with the A10, or the time I was on a sub.We may have gone on our own and enjoyed it very much, I can't imagine what a guided tour would have been like, but I would recommend a trip to this museum 😀 🛸🛫🚢Plenty of parking, super clean restrooms, indoor and outdoor attractions.

Great exhibits with lots of interesting facts about each one. We had a group event in the evening and it was very well attended and all I spoke with really enjoyed it. We weren’t able to go out back and see the airplanes but it would have been cool to have a spotlight out there to see more than shapes and shadows in the dark. Would recommend!

This is an amazing museum, there is so much variety in the aircraft on display, really great. I have a preference for fairly modern fighter jets and large helicopters and included some photos of my favorites. There is so much to see, it feels a bit overwhelming, but in a good way! I enjoyed the tour of the outside areas via guided group tour, but I still walked around myself a bit to see some closely. I was lucky to hear a personal account from a WWII veteran which was really memorable and neat, he seemed to have his speech very well practiced. The replica plane he was sitting by was also really cool.

Worth every penny! We went to look at all the planes (over 300) outside and inside. The scale of these planes and being able to see it up close was amazing to see!I recommend you stay for 3-4 hours, there are just so many planes to see and explore.

It's where planes go to die.Seriously, it's actually a fascinating place packed with all sorts of aircraft spanning modern history.The collection is eclectic, so it keeps your interest over the several hours you'll need to see everything.The site is huge with hangers and outside display areas, but it's all easily accessible. There's even a short tram tour available.A great way to spend the day if you fancy something different.

Amazing museum! We love aviation and we are military family so this place was top on our list to visit! It is a lot of walking and it is HOT so stay hydrated! They allow you to bring your water bottle and there is a cafe with cold AC. Dogs are welcome (on a leash) but not in the cafe with AC.The graveyard outside is amazing! So well organized and preserved. If you love aviation, this is the place to go! They have rare planes and excellent historical accounts of each one.They are bringing the vehicle museum later this year so we will be back! The gift shop has quite a nice selection of books, shirts and memorabilia to pick from. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

FUN & EDUCATIONAL! GREAT WORKOUT!This place is massive! I was told there is a combined 80 acres of indoor and outdoor space dedicated to aircrafts and more. You see everything from helicopters, jets, single prop planes, medical transports, presidential planes, cargo planes, old military jeeps, memorabilia, insignia and tons more.There is a restaurant on site, plenty of opportunities for the restroom, tons of free water fountains scattered about, and even more seating in the form of benches, chairs, and picnic tables. I get the feeling the staff understand the amount of energy and time it takes to ingest all the information and view all the sites this museum has to offer.PRICE: The $18 charge (circa early 2022) came to be well worth it. I was there for over 3 hours and know I could have been there much longer if I was to read all the rhetoric available.FYI: They close early in the summer. My guess, it is way too hot and they probably have too many people experiencing heat stroke.SUGGESTIONS: (1) Arrive early (2) purchase the tram if you can afford it (3) save the entrance Hanger 1 for last because it is the last to close (4) come hydrated (5) Skip your gym routine the day of (6) Wear comfortable shoes (7) wear layered clothing as you will be indoor and outdoor and find yourself getting hot and cold.*Check out the map in my images

Great place to take the kids of all ages if you love anything to do with aviation! There are dozens and dozens of different types of planes and helicopters within the bounds of this museum. There is an inside museum that could take you all day if you wished, there is an air park to walk around in outside and they give guided tours to the bone yard across the street in a comfortable air conditioned bus with a great tour! Definitely worth the trip to keep these types of local museums alive!

I can't speak highly enough about this place. It's on the pricier side, around 20 bucks a person, but it's simply stunning. Countless incredible aircraft with stories and information; I could spend days here. The trolley tour is WORTH THE 8 BUCKS. The tour guides know their stuff and you learn a ton of stuff you would never guess.It really is just a quality establishment.

Great facility with a great collection of planes. They have multiple buildings with planes inside along with a vast amount of planes outside. There are a lot of unique planes to see. Give yourself ample time to tour the whole facility, at least 3-4 hours.

Pros: huge, lots of planes, rare planes, nice gift shop, decent restaurant, excellent museum even if you aren't an aviation geekCons: space section is smaller than I thought it would be.If you like airplanes they have the airplanes. I'm more of a space person, and even I really enjoyed the rest of the museum. They have a small section dedicated to space flight where you can see one of the Gemini capsules and a mock Mars rover. Outside they have one of the Super Guppies that used to carry oversized bits for NASA such as a complete 3rd stage of a Saturn V rocket--hard to believe one of these behemoths is still in use today! They have various types of engines on display, airplanes through the ages, record setting aircraft (like the tiniest ever successfully flown), a wedding dress made out of a parachute (yes, it was actually used), some unusual Japanese planes. Just A LOT of really interesting stuff, not all of which are planes.Plan to spent an entire day here, which probably means taking a break to eat at the Flight Grill (the food actually does taste good, its just expensive--you're paying for convenience).

What an amazing experience! I had the privilege of going through the museum with a retired aviation mechanic from the Chilean Air Force and he has spent his life in aviation and the stories he could tell of the experiences he had had with many of these aircraft types was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these historic aircraft and learning more about them.

Amazing collection of historical aircraft.I have driven by the museum multiple times and finally had the opportunity to stop. I have been to many air and space museums worldwide wide, the Pima Air and Space Museum is definitely one of the best collections I have had the privilege to visit. This museum showcases aircraft and memorabilia from all areas and time frames of air and space history. The displays and representative aircraft are well maintained and organized in such a way to enhance the experience of your visit. I will definitely return and recommend this museum. I believe you could spend multiple days in this museum and still not see everything it has to offer. It was a great experience.

A wonderful collection of aircraft and history for guests of all ages. I have been coming here since the 90s and am always impressed. Recent additions have made the museum very kid friendly. If you're in Tucson and love aviation history, this is a must-see!

We went here on a weekend afternoon. It’s easy to get to. There’s plenty of parking available. We both found this museum really interesting. It has a lot of airplanes and space craft on display. It literally covers almost everything from the first flight to the space shuttle and satellites. There’s unique airplanes, like the smallest airplane to the largest. There’s military airplanes covering planes used in World War II to Afghanistan. There’s planes from several European countries as well as the United States. They have 2 of the planes used by United States Presidents…Air Force One (including the one that was used by JFK). There are planes on display in a large indoor building as well as many more outside. They offer a guided tour of the outside planes. This is done via a motorized cart towing the seating trailers. I highly recommend taking the tour… I doubt that you can get the same information that they tell you on the tour. There’s water for sale, which you can have with you in the museum but sodas etc are not allowed. This museum is truly covers the history of flight. Highly recommend.

Great place to visit, kid friendly, spent about 3 hours here, the heat made it a little hard, but that’s just Arizona, I’m from TX, used to the heat. Just wish they had little stools or something for us short people 😅 but so much fun! A little pricey, but it’s worth it, specially because it’s a day pass, so you can leave and come back later, they do offer a 2 day pass as well.

I love planes and history so this is a great place for me. It is a lot of walking though with several different hangers to visit. They do provide a map and the staff is friendly. Restrooms are located in several areas. I would recommend being a water bottle and some sun screen. Oh there are also sections of the aircraft you can see inside of like the bomb bays.

Everything about this museum is 10/10. Beware, if you are planning to visit, then plan to be here longer than expected! There is so much more than meets the eye, and you might just find yourself in Snoopy's happy place...wildly imagining the sounds and sites of the Red Baron flying around freely and mastering the sky. My 3-year-old grandson loved, loved, loved it, and was completely enthralled the entire day! We are so glad we spent the day at this museum. We visited previously during the summer months and loved it but returned in the cooler months to really enjoy the outside components more.

Love this place! Wish there were more modern fighters to look at inside...like F-18s, 14s, 15s, 16s, etc. But they're around outside and there is a beautiful F-14 in the main hangar along with an awesome SR71. The other hangars are amazing as well with mainly WW2 era ships. Overall more than excellent!

The Pima Air and Space Museum is an absolute treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Walking through the expansive exhibits, I was in awe of the sheer magnitude of the collection and the rich tapestry of history it represents. From iconic aircraft to rare gems of aviation technology, every corner of the museum showcases the evolution of flight through the years. The meticulous curation and attention to detail make each exhibit come alive, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past and the innovative spirit of human achievement.One of the most captivating aspects of the museum is witnessing the tangible evidence of how aircraft have shaped the course of history. Seeing the rugged relics of past conflicts alongside groundbreaking innovations in aviation technology is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. Whether it's the sleek lines of a fighter jet or the majestic presence of a historic bomber, every aircraft tells a story of courage, ingenuity, and perseverance. The Pima Air and Space Museum is a true testament to the indomitable spirit of human exploration, and a must-visit destination for anyone with a passion for flight and history.

Fantastic museum for anyone who enjoys aviation or military aircraft. Every well put together with inside and outside exhibits.Individual buildings highlight the museum with restored examples of most popular military aircraft. Along with great storytelling with smaller exhibitsThe outside exhibits show a great variety of aircraft that you can't see elsewhere. Wear your walking shoes as the outside exhibits are extensive and will take a fair bit of walking to see everything. One huge plus is that you can walk right up to and under each aircraft allowing a closer than normal view of each aircraft.Overall a fantastic museum for $20, my only regret is not going sooner as I only had a few hours to walk around before closing and it was not enough time to fully appreciate everything.

Amazing museum. I spent almost 5 hours touring and I didn't see everything. I would recommend the Tram tour also, very worth the $8. There are planes from the military, private, and international planes. The snack bar has many options. Interesting interactive exhibits. I took lots of pictures.

The place is huge. Over 445 airframes. Multiple airframes of same make i.e. Harrier..Need to make the audio tape stands easier to locate. During extreme heat days take the tram in the morning. Once it's 100F they shut down the tram. No backpacks. However they sell clear packs and totes. Help carry bottled water. Although there are vending machines near hangers.

Amazing Museum. Been to many. B-17 exhibit is a must. Seen some aircraft I have not seen elsewhere. Got there an 1 1/2 hours after opening...got busier around noon. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Go and let the geek out on aircraft. Highly recommended.

Not bad of a museaum. Some planes are not in the best of condition. Would recommend the Tram tour, as it will cut down on the amount of walking outside you will have to do. It is also very informative. Nice gift shop. All of the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Absolutely phenomenal museum! This place is massive! So many air vehicles! I could easily have spent at least 2 days here. Placards are very informative and give some history on the aircraft! Good mix of outdoor and indoor exhibits! The amount of aircraft outside was astounding and I easily spent 3 hours alone wandering around the planes on display outdoors. Bathrooms were easy to find and reasonably spaced around the facility. Even if this place was busy it would still be enjoyable due to its size! I was able to see everything I wanted to see in 5-6 hours but if you want to see everything I would definitely recommend doing the 2 day pass. Highly recommend!

Went here on a whim from a friend's suggestion, and I was floored. This place is huge! If you are not a history buff, you might be after a visit here. From the Wright Brothers to the 707, and everything in between. Great place to bring kids and even pets. You can walk the hangars and grounds or take a guided tour with a little history behind some of the aircraft. It was worth a trip, and definitely worth admission.

My wife and I had a great time at the museum, so much to take in. The vets that give of their time to answer questions of guests is fantastic. We ran into one vet that had an amazing sense of humor and we spent a lot of time with him. The fixed wing and rotary collection of aircraft is impressive. They have so much to look at and get right up to and touch. I highly recommend you visit the Pima Air & Space Museum. Best time to go in my opinion is between late October to end of February. Bring a jacket as it does get windy and cool outside when you’re on the tarmac/apron.

A great collection of planes and aircrafts! I arrived just before 3 PM (their time for last admission) and had about 2 hours to look at everything before they closed at 5 PM.While you can certainly go around and see most of the planes within those 2 hours, I highly recommend staying for longer if you really want to appreciate everything.They have a gift shop with a nice collection of tops and jackets for airplane enthusiasts.

4.8

(8792)

4.5

(4931)

6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756, USA

1 list

Amazing place of education and fun. The guided videos were very informative. The facility is impressive. If you have kids or friends, it is a great place to go wander around and enjoy. If ya life near the Tucson or Phoenix area…it’s worth the trip.

The views are incredible of the nearby mountains and the domes and glass buildings. The staff are very helpful at getting you started and pointing you in the right direction. The arrows are easy to follow and recognizable. We enjoyed watching the videos from the app that are very educational and helpful. My grandma enjoyed that they made the areas more accessible when they could, offering ramps when possible. Inside was absolutely gorgeous and incredible! It was like being next to the real thing! They also had videos and documents that you could read of look at to learn more about the mission! Everything was explained and shown so well! This is for people who are in the science field and also those who just enjoy it as a hobby or just love nature. We loved being able to go at our own pace!

What a unique and fascinating site to visit! I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in biology or space exploration. Using a QR code presented at the front desk my group was able to take a video tour of the facility. It was so interesting to see the living quarters and notes of participants in the self sustaining facility Biosphere 2 experiment along with the beauty and design of each of the artificial environments. With a gorgeous view of the mountains, sculptures, beautiful landscaping, and donated minerals and fossilized wood in between each stop in the tour there was never a dull moment.

The family and I had a great morning exploring this treasure. We went in late June and the temperature was in the 100's. We were dressed for the weather so it wasn't uncomfortable at all. There are lots of transitions from indoors to outdoors during the tour and none of them were unbearable due to the hot temps. The self-guided tour is done via a phone app and it has little videos explaining the different places that make up the facility, that you play at various stops along the way. They have several controllable biomes that have sensors to make important environmental studies possible that you can't do in nature. It was truly fascinating and a lot of important science is taking place there. I'd recommend checking this out if you have any interest in Earth Science, nature, future space exploration or self sustainable technology. Also great to bring the kids that might need a spark to ignite an interest in science and technology. It could be a bit challenging for people with mobility issues, to do certain parts of the tour but I believe I saw accommodations for wheelchairs in a few of the areas. If you are in the area definitely check it out!

I worked here for the summer, so I may be slightly biased, but this is an amazing place to be in.I visited as a tourist years ago and loved the different biomes and research going on inside. And as an intern this summer, it just got even better.Early morning is the best time if you wanna tour the outside areas. This is a great place for birdwatching and to observe local wildlife if you come in at the right time. And the view from up here is absolutely stunning too.I believe current self-guided tours are set at about an hour and a half, but if you wanna really stop and admire things, plan for at least two hours. Bathrooms are also limited within some spaces, so plan accordingly before moving on from the main hall.

I took my 14yo. son during fall break, and we had an excellent time.This is a self guided tour using a cell phone app and headphones. It's indoor and outdoor. About 50/50. I recommend going during the cooler months and still bring sunblock, water, hat.Make sure you review the website for all the details.

Very informative and interesting place to visit. Get the app for a self guilded tour when the tickets are purchased. Stops are well marked. Very helpful following the red arrows in and blue arrows out. Bring a water bottle. Did the extra tour in the library upstairs vs. the basem*nt for 12. Was worth it.

My wife and I had a great time here. With a gorgeous scenery, that makes for some great photos. I also enjoyed there user friendly app. Which takes you step by step and with great insight on what the scientist went through and their goals. Best time to go would be the cooler months. There is walking and the rainforest section is SUPER humid.

Visiting Tucson for the day so we decided to stop by the biosphere on our way down from Scottsdale. We are so happy that we did so! It’s honestly a really fun experience. The price is very fair and it is a self-guided tour. They do offer guided tours as well, however, we chose to do the self-guided. You download an app, and at each stop (about 115 of them) the app tells you more about each location. You start outside to get views of the exterior and then you move into the desert dome, after that you head into the ocean dome and end in the jungle dome. You can make it a quick stop or spend as much time as you’d like.It’s open from 9am to 4pm and there is no set arrival time. The last tours are allowed in at 3:30pm so it’s a really freeform type of experience. I would highly recommend to anyone.

It's such a fascinating mess of a story and a bit of American history. There are bugs and roaches throughout, so check your belongings on the way out. It was $80 for two adults and two children. I think it was worth it. I can see they are trying to keep it alive. It was really confusing to try and see everything with a disabled child in a wheelchair. Some of the lifts were out of order, and there are some old covid rules that make us have to walk around the entire facility for her to access all parts.

Very cool and educational place to stop. Beautiful drive up to it. Maybe 40 minutes from Tucson. The inside was nice and they have a walking tour app that takes about 1-2 hours depending on how fast you walk and what you like to look at. Very unique place to go.

Very cool! I was surprised how big this place is. Tour guide was great. Lung tour was cool. Lots of interesting info. I wish this place was still running those experiments. Only disappointment was not seeing the library tower.

Call your relatives and friends and get the kids ready for an educational day of discovery!! This is something that every person should experience. The U of A scientists and partners were brilliant! Research is what's happening there now! For two years, people lived in that self+contained ecosystem! Take everyone you know! The rainforest is amazing!!

I did the self-guided tour and was honestly a little disappointed considering the cost and how little you actually get to see. This tour didn't include the "lungs" facility, the library, the apartments, the control center, power plant, or the hydroponic facility. Some of these had videos you could watch on the app, but I'd have rather experienced them first-hand. Relying on pre-recorded videos in an app is not a very engaging way to learn about such a unique facility, in my opinion.

Came out here as a part of a weekend visit from Phoenix. Interesting and very cool place to see. Several of the sights were closed but we still enjoyed the tour. I would suggest calling and asking about the availability of the sights to see as it wasn’t mentioned on the website which if any would be closed.

Such a unique and educational experience. This isn't something you can see just anywhere. Actually walking through the biosphere where they are still conducting scientific experiments. Learning about the closed 2-year experiment with scientists living and sustaining from what they could grow inside. Download the app for a free audio tour. I wouldn't recommend for small children, as they would probably get bored. There are a lot of steps and walking, but it is ADA accessible for most parts, wouldn't recommend for those with severe mobility issues.

We've always wanted to come see the Biosphere 2. And we're glad we came during the cooler time of the year. We had taken a jacket in case it was cold. But it was so much warmer inside than it was outside. I would recommend coming during the cooler Arizona months versus the warm Arizona. It's very interesting to think about people living in this place for 2 years.

Really enjoyed the experience! The backstory is intriguing, the architecture is so impressive, and the ongoing scientific/outreach mission is inspiring. The facility grounds and drive up are beautiful as well.Be sure to download the Biosphere app from the booking website in advance as the WiFi login up there can be tricky. If you can, definitely pay extra for the lung and library tower tours as they are especially unique.

Visiting Biosphere 2 was an eye-opening experience! I was completely unaware of its existence until recently, and I'm so glad I discovered it. The way the different biomes are intertwined is truly impressive, showcasing both the technology and ingenuity behind this incredible project. Learning that people actually lived there for two years is absolutely stunning—it speaks volumes about human innovation and adaptability.The audio tour was a highlight for me; being able to explore at my own pace and delve into the various initiatives behind Biosphere 2 added a whole new layer of appreciation. It's both educational and entertaining, making it a perfect outing for anyone interested in science, sustainability, or just looking for a unique and fascinating experience. I also had no idea that part of biodome was in fact filmed there... according to IMDb.

Great narrated, self-guided tour. Nice to be able to go at your own pace. The app was great but it would be nice to have teleprompter at each stop so you didn't need your phone to hear it.

Absolutely amazing facility! So much cool history for science involving agriculture, environmental science, and space training. The different biomes are very impressive and cool to experience out here in the deserts of Arizona. Military and UA students get a discount as well which is nice. We did the self guided tour and we spent about 2.5 hours to get through everything.

Pretty cool place with an interesting history. I was hoping the tour would allow a bit more exploration of the sites, but it was pretty great all the same. The location is fairly remote, best not to rely on ride share apps which wouldn't come to pick me up and the local taxi service was very expensive.The conference venue was great. Nice housing and presentation spaces. Definitely worth waking up early to see the sunrise over the Catalina mountains.

We've returned for another visit. It's a place where each new visit reveals something new and interesting. This time, we toured the south 'Lung.' It was very interesting and worthy of the small additional fee.

1 of the 50 wonders of the world. If you live in Tucson or Phoenix, it's definitely worth the drive out there. You have to download the biosphere 2 app for the self guided tour, which we found very helpful and informational. We liked it better because it was quieter and at our own pace. The whole campus is unique and definitely one of a kind. It is a mile round trip so bring walking shoes!

Very good museum. It's a testament to the ingenuity of this country for sure. I was somewhat disappointed that there's not more going on and we couldn't examine more of the mechanical and engineering feats contained therein. I recommend and will return

A fun experience and worth the visit. We only did the self guided tour. But the other tours would be worth it is a bit cheaper. I'd go for the lung tour if/when I returned. The self guided app was slow and glitchy at times, but not unusable. Reading the journal entries of the participants was an awesome touch to the exhibits

Was fun to see it in person, would like to have had access to more of it, like a bedroom and the library. It was fascinating to imagine spending 2 years locked inside! The designs of the buildings were very interesting, and the different habitats were pretty and had lots of information about them through the app. I really liked going at our own pace with earbuds listening to our phones instead of having a live guide.

What a great place to spend the afternoon. Did not expect it. The tours are great, or just walk around yourself. Very interesting on what went on, and nice to see that they can still use the place for future experiments. I must stop if your in the area.

WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE!!!We visited in 2016 when we moved our son to Tucson for a PhD program at UA. Eight years later he's graduating, so we returned to "bookend" his life in Tucson, before he returns to the Midwest. This place has impressed me with each visit.During the 1980's I followed the idea for and construction of this unique facility. In the 1990's I followed the usage of the site during the early experiments. When our son chose UA for his PhD program and I realized how close he was to Biosphere 2, I decided that we HAD to experience the place in person. I'm still in awe of the facility and all the research and knowledge generation that goes on here. VERY IMPRESSIVE.During our first tour, it was guided by an "in person" tour guide, and we were able to visit areas like "The Lungs" (which was cool to experience) as well as the pressurized airlock entries. This visit was self-guided with a phone app that described each number stop along the route. Although we did not see and experience some of the same things as the first visit, this one felt more informative. The phone app descriptions were very thorough and educational, plus they can be replayed at home while looking through pictures. The information is forever readily available.This tour also gives a better story of the life of the biospherians of the 1990's. It piqued my interest enough that I bought a book in the gift shop to learn more about their experiment and experiences.The gift shop is next to the check in, so it is available to anyone who stops by (you don't need to pay for a tour to shop). It is full of all kinds of fun and education items, as well as drinks and snacks. Maybe pick up a drink and some snacks before the tour, as the tour lasts about 2 hours and can be very hot, especially in the summer months. You will get thirsty, and possibly hungry before the end of the tour.The restaurant that was once available at the end of the tour in 2016, and a very welcome respite, is no longer open. I would suggest packing a picnic lunch and some drinks in a cooler to keep in the car while you tour. You will be ready for some kind of refreshment afterwards, especially if you are like us and stop to listen to all the audio messages AND read all the signs posted throughout the site. (Biosphere 2 is about 30 minutes north of Tucson, so not real close to any restaurants.)This is truly a gem in the desert and should be included in every visit to the Tucson area.

4.5

(4262)

4.0

(1300)

32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739, USA

8 lists

If you’re anywhere in the area you owe it to yourself to visit this living museum from the Cold War. The only remaining titan missile in existence (minus the 9 megaton atomic warhead of course). There were 54 at one time and the other 53 had to be destroyed so that it would satisfy the other nuclear powers. The tour that Steve gave us was outstanding and if you’re lucky enough to have him on the tour you’ll learn a lot. They have an interesting simulation in the control center that they will take you through.Well worth the visit and I would’ve driven substantially out of my way to see this museum. Don’t miss it!There are questions about elevator access. This is from the website:The Titan Missile Museum is an ADA compliant facility. Handicapped parking is available and the Exhibits Gallery and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible.For the daily 45-minute guided tours, guests are required to ascend and descend 55 stair steps. There is no elevator access. Visits made by guests unable to use the stairs will be limited to the surface portion of the site.

Incredible place to see and learn about. We made a reservation online for our preferred tour time which worked out great. There is a small area in the entrance with displays and a museum store. The tour took about 45 minutes and included a five minute video before walking down the staircases to the underground facility. Our tour guide had served as an Air Force crew member assigned to the launcher and provided a lot of great information and insight. We were able to sit in the control room and learn about all the safety procedures and processes involving maintaining and launching a Titan missile. We also walked to the other side of the facility to the launch tube and saw the training missile in the tube. After the guided tour, we were able to walk around the outside area and look down into the launch tube from above.

What a fantastic experience, well worth the price of admission. Our guide was super knowledgeable and explained the entire process that took place before a missile could be launched at the Soviet Union. Every detail was thought of with checks, double checks and triple checks before that missile would leave the silo. If you enjoy history then stop and take this tour. You will enjoy it and learn some things too.

Very unique experience at this museum. They offer tours to the underground command center. I'd definitely recommend it. The tour guide was a former member of the crew that was in charge of the missile and its maintenance. He walked us through the underground command center showing us (step by step) and explaining to us what would/could have happened in the event of the nuclear attack. It was an intense experience!

Definitely worth the $15 fee for the tour. Guide was Dave. Very knowledgeable. Used to work the site while he was in the Air Force. Would have loved to see more levels of the silo though.

A great experience to see this museum. Staff was extremely welcoming. Tour guide Dave was very insightful and produced the right amount of information, humor and knowledge to make this tour memorable.To experience how closer we were to 9Million tons of TNT in this well preserved museum is great. As a testament to World peace and a simulated launch, this museum is a must see if you’re passing through

Found this close by and decided to take the tour. If you book online, it will only show an hour out plus so make sure you go into the visitor center to see if the next tour has spots available, which ours did.Tours happen every half hour and lasts about 45 minutes. $16.50 per adult unless you are a senior or a resident, limited to 25 spaces per tour. Restrooms are on sight as well as a little gift shop.The tour was pretty informative and our tour guide added to the experience. You'll go down into a command station room where they explain what it takes to actually launch a missile. Then onto the missile itself to view. Definitely worth seeing. We would love to bring a group back here.

It was really neat. If you’re visiting Tucson, I’d recommend coming here. Buy tickets online in advance. Our tour was full so we only got to go to the missile launch room in the bunker and nothing else. I would have rather done a self guided tour and seen all the areas available. Tour guide was pretty rushed.

Outstanding piece of Cold War defense infrastructure. Well maintained, well explained by the guide and easy to get to. I wanted to go there for years and finally did. I was not disappointed in any way. The guide was a former airman who worked on the site when it was active and could answer all our questions. The museum was very accommodating to move our bookings up two hours, since we arrived in Tucson much earlier than expected. I'd say anyone who lived through the Cold War would appreciate the insight on the times this museum offers.

Cat was our Guide, just WOW! Presented with perfection! Exactly the way I would have thought it should have been done. Her knowledge was extraordinary! The details that she mentioned, are amazing. This was an experience beyond what I could have imagined! I worried about going once, now I can't wait to go back!#templemastery

This is an amazing one of a kind experience you won't want to miss. An incredible story from the Cold War told through one of the missile silos that was poised to launch at a moment's notice. The tour is fabulous where you will learn about the crews stationed there, the control room and of course the Titan II missile itself. You will go through a mock alert and launch procedure before you walk down the long and narrow passage to the missile itself. The tour guides were amazing and the gift ship is filled with awesome memorabilia and some unique authentic pieces. I look forward to visiting again :)

I finally visited the Titan Missile Museum yesterday after living in Tucson for 29 years.Probably has to be one of the coolest, most informative, and sobering experiences to participate in.The tour starts in the main outbuilding and takes you down into the actual silo and control room, where the tour guide will walk you through various things that happened/could have happened in the facility.Once the tour finishes up, you come back and take a look at the surroundings and such around the top of the silo.All in all, an essential historical experience that I would 100% recommend you take part in.ADDENDUM:If you're a licensed Ham radio operator, you can also use the antenna out by the parking area! (Just stop in at the museum office and ask the staff first)

I’ve taken a couple of groups of people to this museum with ages from 8 to college students. Everyone always enjoys it and has a great time. Visiting the silo does require going up and down stairs so if you have mobility issues this might be a bad choice. The tour takes about 45 minutes make sure to arrive before four the last tour starts an hour before it closes. The gift shop has lots of fun and affordable souvenirs.

Wow! This tour was one of the coolest things that I have ever been to! Steve was such a great guide! You can tell that he truly loves his job! If you're in the area, be sure to go on this tour! What a lesson in history!

------- I strongly endorse it for its educational value -------The Titan Missile Museum in Tucson offers a truly unique and inspiring experience that takes you on a journey back in time. I highly recommend visiting this museum, as it provides a fascinating glimpse into a critical period in history.This museum is situated at the actual site where an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) was kept active during the Cold War, from the early 1960s until 1984. The introductory film is exceptionally informative and sets the stage for your exploration of the museum's exhibits. Notably, the Titan II missile on display here is the largest operational land-based nuclear missile ever used by the United States.Inside the museum, you'll find a realistic, life-sized re-entry vehicle and a mock nuclear bomb, offering visitors a tangible sense of the strategic importance of these weapons. The museum effectively showcases the complex war strategies of the era. Outdoors, you'll discover various missile engine parts, including stage one and two engines, an Air Force helicopter, a police jeep, and another re-entry vehicle, all on display for visitors to explore.The highlight of the visit is the glass dome, allowing you to peer down into the missile silo. The silo doors are intentionally partially closed, ensuring that the missile remains securely in place, even by accident. Additionally, a cutout in the nose cone provides a clear view of the inert nature of the weapon.The knowledgeable guides at the museum are incredibly helpful. They lead you underground through a tunnel with three levels of stairs, taking you to the control room, where original equipment and launch keys are preserved. Visitors have the unique opportunity to participate in a role-play exercise, simulating the actions of a commander and their deputy as they manipulate the original launch keys. Afterward, you'll be guided through a lengthy cable tunnel to the missile silo itself.During our last visit, my 8-year-old daughter, who is quite the curious George of the family, was absolutely captivated by the guide. She stuck to the guide like glue, firing off a barrage of questions. To our delight, the patient guide answered all of her inquiries, enriching my daughter's knowledge in the process.As part of the tour, it was explained that the missile currently situated in the silo is not the original missile but rather a training missile that was transported from Texas. The original missile's location is currently secure and undisclosed. However, it's important to note that the training missile on display is a faithful replica of the original one, faithfully preserving its appearance and characteristics for educational purposes.One aspect that stands out is the museum's cleanliness and peaceful ambiance, making it an enjoyable experience for families. Overall, I can't recommend the Titan Missile Museum enough. It offers an educational and thought-provoking journey through a significant chapter in history that shouldn't be missed.

Synopsis: Truly a must-see if you are in the Tucson/Phoenix area. It is well worth the time travelling out to see this historic gem--history nerd or not! Also, Steve is the best!The Titan Missile Museum is truly one of the highlight pieces in the Tucson/Phoenix area. Situated 26 miles south of Tucson itself, the Titan Missile Museum is a historic site representing the power and history of the United States during the Cold War. I won't spoil anything about the museum itself (outside of some pictures) so you can experience the wonder and historic significance for yourself.My girlfriend and I were vacationing in Phoenix and knew we needed to make the day trip down to Tucson to see what the city had to offer and to visit this gem. For the two of us, with no discounts, the total was $33.00 which included the museum itself and a guided tour (mandatory), and boy did we luck out. Our tour was led by Steve, who if you've read other reviews, is the premier guide at this museum. Steve was incredibly knowledgeable not only about the museum itself but about history and the relevance of the site during the Cold War. Not only did he know his stuff but he made the tour interactive and enjoyable for all of us on it by involving us in the tour and creating a scenario that played out right in front of us to represent what things would have been like during the 50s.You do not need to be a history geek (or teacher like myself) to truly enjoy this museum. The information presented around the museum puts into perspective the scale and seriousness of the Cold War and the lengths people were willing to go. I cannot recommend this museum enough if you are in the area and want something enjoyable and educational to do for a couple hours.5 Armed Stars out of 5!

We visited on a Saturday in December. We opted for the tour. The tour took approximately 55 minutes. There is a short presentation prior to the tour and then we went below ground into the control room and missile silo. The tour was informative and entertaining. The guide did a good job. If you enjoy military history you will enjoy the Titan Missile Museum.

I have no words to explain thisEvery single one should go and experience this museumThis is the only one Titan-II missile left overThe most amazing thing about this museum is in those days without all the modern technology how they did that in the most secure wayA must watch destination for students for sureWhile purchasing the tickets you will get your time the guide is very authentic about the subject and the history behind it

A truly awesome (and a tad terrifying) look into our history. This rainy day adventure with my husband turned into a real-life walk into a time capsule that is hauntingly captivating.From the timeline of events that created this nuclear weapon to the time it was dismantled....really brought home just how quickly life as we know it could end.Our guide, Ethan, was very knowledgeable and offered keen insights to what it was like for the four military man crews that were charged with monitoring this missile site.

Such a good experience with our kids. They learned a lot. There was a good amount of reading on the outside. I would arrive 30 minutes earlier before your tour time to go outside and explore if you are wanting to read everything with kiddos.

100% worth your time if you have even a passing interest in Cold War technology, space, missiles, or defense. It’s impressive to see in person and to think about the level of engineering that went into the entire facility and all of its components. The preservation they’ve done is impressive, and the guides are really into their job. When they ask your group someone wants to turn the key, RAISE YOUR HAND!

5 Stars. One of the best tours I've ever been on. Educational, fascinating, frightening. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. A cold war relic that you mustn't miss if you are in the the Tucson area.

What an awesome experience! The facility is kept in great condition. Neat and clean. The tour goes below ground to show what it was like to operate and possibly deploy a nuke. The guide was great. You're allowed to interact with the exhibits so I went through a launch sequence. 45 minutes.

This was unreal to see. Seeing the missile up close was incredible to see. Steve was so energetic and was a great tour guide.Highly recommend seeing this! And book in advance if you can, we arrived and they were full in the AM and had to come back for noon.

This was an amazing tour! I didn't think it would be that interesting, but I was totally wrong. Toured with son and his family and everyone enjoyed it. I will definitely suggest it as a tour to visiting guest. I'd suggest purchasing tickets in advance to make sure you get the time slot you want.

Very neat place. You can walk around the outside and look down at the missle in the silo for free. To go on the guided tour, there is a small cost but it is worth it. All the information given on the tour is great and the guide was funny as well. The tours are scheduled about every hour. There is a souvenir shop at the site too. About 60 stairs to walk down and back up.

Great experience! My wife and I visited the museum while in Tucson. The tour director was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor in his presentation. The tour, which was about 45min, was a really informative glimpse into working in a silo during the Cold War. The self paced tour outside of the silo was good as well. Highly recommend to anyone interested in American history.

What an absolutely fascinating experience. We got there with about 5 minutes to go before the tour started. You watch a video at the beginning that explains the Titan missile history. Then they take you outside so that you can go down a set of stairs into the underground complex. It takes about 30 seconds to descend the stairs. Once we gathered at the bottom, we were taken to the control room after a brief introduction of the blast doors. Being in the control room was a really neat experience. They pick two people from the tour to pretend to be on duty during an actual missile launch. One is the Captain and the other is the communication officer. After a fake missile was launched the room went silent.We had an absolutely wonderful guide he was able to answer all our questions. Once you leave the control room you are taken down a long corridor that leads to a Titan missile. Our guide told more stories before taking us outside for the final leg of the tour. The communication arrays and redundant systems are on display outside. The giant door for the missile is also impressive. There is a gift shop. Don't forget to use the bathroom because there isn't one on the tour.

Wow! What an eye opening experience to the Cold War era of deterrence. What you should expect: welcoming staff, an amazing tour guide, decent down into the control room, missile silo and the ability to tour the ground above, including looking down into the missile silo from above. What you come away with: A deeper understanding of the design, capability, launch of an ICBM and life of those that served in this capacity. Two volunteers will have the opportunity to turn the launch keys in a simulated missile launch. All in all it is a very sobering look at what could have been the destruction of many lives.Our tour guide was amazing, knowledgeable and the whole staff made us feel welcome. I had no idea of the design or process of launching an ICBM before coming

Came here for work and had extra time to kill. I can't stress how awesome the tour is. It's absolutely amazing to see and almost imagine being part of that era. Lots of history on the nuclear program.A few tips:Ask the tour guide to see the crew living quarters.Volunteer to be a key turner. You will get a unique gift for doing so.Becca was an amazing tour guide.

I enjoyed my visit there. The young lady who did the tour was very thorough entertaining.A memorable experience.

A must-see when visiting the Tucson area! Even if you're not into Cold War era history, the museum has plenty to offer. If you are, however, you're in for a real treat. The 1-hour tour is packed with information and the exhibits are detailed and fascinating. We showed up on a whim and had to wait for the next tour an hour later but honestly, there was so much to see off the tour we had just enough time to see it all and not feel rushed or like we were killing time.

An absolutely unique experience! The Titan Missile Museum offers a fascinating look into Cold War history and missile technology. Highly recommend for anyone interested in history.

4.8

(3631)

5.0

(1550)

1580 W Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614, USA

A nice park where the annual Day of the Dead procession is held the first Saturday of November.

Bel endroit pour se promener à magasiner. Il y a plusieurs galeries d'art, bijoux et structures pour jardins très coloré (Mexicain). C'est très touristique et commercial mais ça vaut la peine d'y arrêter .(Translated by Google)Nice place to walk around to shop. There are several art galleries, jewelry and very colorful (Mexican) garden structures. It's very touristy and commercial but it's worth stopping there.

Visiting for the day, we stopped here just because we saw the sign when shopping. Absolutely loved it! Fascinating and educational. What's amazing is that you get to go into the buildings. We all had a great time and will definitely be back!

I really enjoyed Tubac Presidio State Park. The self-guided tour was interesting. I found that the Historic Schoolhouse, archeological remains of the Presidio and the Rojas house were very some of the highlights for me. The museum is also very extensive.

Excellent state park and grounds. Self guided tour after a very good video. Plenty to see but plan on walking the trails too as they link up to the Tumacacori mission too. Local art shops on the way to the park make this a full day to enjoy.

It was awesome. I had a great time here very informative and the park staff were very friendly. The school house was pretty neat

Fantastic collection and display of items from this historical site. It takes a lot more time to see than I expected. Unfortunately, only a tiny bit is actually excavated, would like to see a lot more. Displays inside were quite nice and interesting. Well maintained.

This was my first visit to the Presidio. It is set up well and for the $5 entrance fee, well worth the time to go through it. There is 2000 years worth of history here. The museum has an amazing amount of artifacts. I came here to see the ambulance (wagon) and was not disappointed. Its in beautiful shape and you can touch it! Unheard of in most museums. Plan on at least an hour to 2 hours to go through everything. The employees are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Great place and kid friendly with many hands on exhibits. My son loved the old school house and Rosa's casa. The volunteers were very friendly. Make sure to do the scavenger hunt and junior ranger piece for badge if you are bringing kids.

Very nice museum to visit. Looking at the uniforms and the heavy gear Spanish soldados de cuera(the leather soldiers) had to wear, it is no wonder the Comanches and the Apaches were able to wreak havoc with their raids. The paintings from Bill Ahrendt are also pretty amazing I have to say.

This is a Spanish mission era fortress that was built to protect locals from Apache raiding. It was not successful as it was eventually abandoned. The US took over and built a fort on the ruins. They too abandoned it as the Apache raids were relentless. Eventually there was a negotiated settlement that gave the Apaches back most of their homeland and they stopped raiding. There is now a nice museum in what is a former school with all this documented and a lot of relevant artifacts. There are reconstructed buildings and tunnel down to where the original Spanish foundations were excavated. Spent a good 2 hours, it was worth the stop.

Wonderful long trails, Juan Bautista Anza trail had a lot of history:"The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA."

You won't mistake this place for the Smithsonian but if you visit you will see what local volunteers did over the last few decades to bring alive the history of their town and the surrounding natural areas. It's a sweet and interesting multi-media indoor/outdoor museum that is worth at least an hour of your time. It's also a welcome break from the commercialism of the art and craft shops.

Children love it, I've seen the outside grounds but have not toured the inside...yet! I usually walk to the middle of Tubac and explore the great shops. I love Shelbys for peaceful, relaxing dining outdoors but History is always cool in my book. A visual reminder and first rate way to learn.some of the townsfolk are kitschy as he'll too :)

Really cool self guided tour. The history is incredible. This is the first state park in Arizona.

Beautiful Mission grounds. During Covid the gift shop and museum are closed, but the grounds are open. It's easy walking, all flat and easy paths. They have plenty of free literature to coordinate signs with facts. A park ranger is there and answered our questions about the history.

4.6

(420)

4.5

(196)

1 Burruel St, Tubac, AZ 85646, USA

+47 other lists

Desert gardens with well maintained walkways featuring lots of places to relax on a bench & enjoy the peaceful beauty. The plants & trees are mostly labeled and displayed in unique, creative settings. The gift shop offers books, unique art (we bought a signed, framed, colorful, embellished photo of agave), hats, handbags - definitely worth checking out. The greenhouse features potted cacti & desert adapted plants for sale at very reasonable prices (several came home with us). The garden bistro has both indoor & shaded outdoor seating. Wonderful (but a bit pricey) menu in a lovely garden setting. We waited over an hour for a table at 12:30, followed by another wait of an hour for our meal. The food was worth the wait, & we weren't in a hurry. Great place to spend a couple of hours or most of a day.

This is among the BEST brunch I have ever had! Mimosas are amazing. The best French fries on the planet! Avocado toast was life changing. Setting was absolutely gorgeous! Service was great. Don’t walk, run to this bistro! Absolutely zero complaints whatsoever.

Coming from Maryland, this was the most unusual and delightful experience of my visit. Loved all of the special "zones." Such a unique couple of hours! The volunteers were soooo helpful. Loved the Bistro the night before--delicious! I can always find wonderful things to purchase in the gift shop--this is my second time here. I shushed a rattler off the street upon exiting the parking lot. Don't worry, I didn't get close to him. Will definitely be back next time I come to Tucson.

We came slightly late, but they seated us and fed usEverything from Tacos to Croissant chicken salad sandwich was good.Best fresh fruit salad I've ever eaten at a restaurant!Pretty location and use of the natural environment

Amazingly beautiful, incredibly peaceful. Gorgeous trails take you through the gardens where you'll see rare and unusual along with local specimens of plants, shrubs, trees, succulents, cactus and rocks, turtles, lizards, butterflies and birds. It's a wonderful display - especially in Spring when so much is in bloom. There is food and drink available and some nice gift shops. Really nice place to spend time.

Beautiful garden to visit with lots to look at and explore. We went during chilling at the chul event. They had great food, live music all night, and most of the garden was open to wander around. As well as the art galleries being a good spot to cool down. It was free for this event to get in, but normally, its around $15 for adults.

In love of this beautiful place!Worth the entry fee (adults$15, children under 5 free).Long trails of green, big cactus some are sooooo cool so big! and lots of varieties of plants.Restrooms, bistro, souvenirs, Children’s museum is rly cool!!!U can spend hrs exploring this place just bring a hat and sunscreen.A great place to walk, meditate or just visit with your family.

This bistro was great! They have inside and outside dining. We chose to be on AC inside. I had the French toast with a side of bacon and a prickly pear margarita (delicious) and hubby had the chicken chili tacos. He said everything was good. Beans were good, salsa on the extra spicy side. We really enjoyed our experience there! We did enjoy the gardens too. They are small but nice. A little pricey at $30 each but figure it goes to a good cause.

Great lunch in a very beautiful & relaxing garden area. So many flowers are blooming! The food was a little pricey, but very good and nice portions

I went at night for the 5000 hand carved pumpkins. It would have been better if they advertised them as foam pumpkins. It's like if I said I was hosting a Lamborghini exhibit and charged for entry and there were 50 hotwheels on a counter, beautifully painted.The art was still amazing and it was a fun little walk through. Parking was a bit tough but we finally found a spot.

Each time I go, they've added new improvements. Oro Valley Children's Museum is now located in the gardens, as well as another children's area making it very family friendly.

Spent a lovely day touring the gardens. Fabulous property! Great lunch at the bistro!

Coming from Orlando, Fl where we are surrounded by lakes and ocean on both sides to experience the flora in this park was just like going to another world. Who would have thought that in such an arid place there would be such diversity and vibrant colors. Absolutely beautiful and manicured in some places while wild and untouched in others.

4.7

(2665)

4.5

(1439)

7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA

+77 other lists

We stopped hereon our cross country drive. It was absolutely beautiful and the people we so kind! There are locals making fresh food on the ground and the architecture is breathtaking! Highly recommended stop.

Here are a couple of photos of when my little family and I went. They are friendly, lovely gift shop, and delicious fry bread sold outside. Support locally run business. It's free but they do ask for donations so make sure you take some cash.

It was a very fun place to visit. It had a lot of very nice artwork on the walls, and it is a very historical place. It has a little gift shop just on the side. The gift shop had a lot of cool things in it. A lot of jewelry. There are some wild animals that are cool to look at. We saw a chipmunk which was really cute. Overall I really loved visiting this place.

A very old mission. With a very old church. But it's definitely worth seeing. The history of this place is amazing. Take time to see this part of Tuscon that you wouldn't expect to see. If you're Catholic or not. It's still a beauty in the desert.

An active parish and important historical place. Beautiful and engaging. Moderately maintained by volunteer contributions. Moving, inspiring and historically significant. Quiet enough to spend time in prayer and reflection. A special chapel for remembering the dead, sick and beloved.

I was married in a church that resembles a flying saucer. It’s a one-of-kind architectural marvel in Illinois. On a drive south to north through Tucson, I was urged to stop just off of Interstate 19 and visit the oldest European structure in Arizona. My destination was 1950 W. San Xavier Rd., Tucson. This is where at the end of W. San Xavier Rd., I would see what is nicknamed “The White Dove of the Desert.” A huge white stucco Spanish Mission church awaits a visit from one of 200,000 visitors every year. The mission easily accommodates visitors because it’s open to the public everyday from 9 am to 4 pm. I came on a Saturday for services and after sitting for about 20 minutes on a fantastic wooden pew, I realized I’d have to wait another 30 minutes for mass, so I got up and left slowly. But before I left, I looked at what my son’s friends talked about when they saw this mission. There’s good reason San Xavier del Bac is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking into this mission is like going back in the time of the American frontier.

What a beautiful spectacle, placed in the middle of a spectacular setting, where history rests in and outside of this structural sanctuary.I attended the Easter Sunday Mass as my third visit here. There was a packed house and had people standing outside the doors to attend the ceremonial celebration of the resurrection of our Christ Jesus.I watched as a observer in the very intimate partaking of the sacrament. I am not Catholic so I didn't participate; however everyone was super welcoming and very humble in their ceremonial communion.I apologize if I am not utilizing the proper terms for any of this description, I mean no disrespect.I felt honored to be there, the warm embrace of the Lord was definitely present that day.This place is unlike anything you have ever seen, it is definitely worth seeing!

Beautiful! We were not able to go inside due to a service that was being held. However, we heard the music and enjoyed it. The gift shop has some nice items and fair prices. The locals set up and made delicious fry bread.

It’s a beautiful Church in Tucson. There’s a lot of history and it’s worth the drive to go see this Church. It’s a historic Spanish Catholic mission that was finished in 1797. It doesn’t take too long to walk through.There’s also a nice gift shop that you can visit on the way out.

Great mission and piece of history/architecture. Gift shop in the mission was nice along with the shops across the mission. With just the pictures alone, my mom loved it and now wants to visit.Just a reminder to people, this is an active mission/church. So you might not be able to see the inside if there is a service or event going on. Please be respectful.

Very beautiful! Stunning in fact. Well worth a visit. Sunday was VERY busy, so beware. Food on sight was very good 'street food'! Beautiful but very expensive gift shops with lovely folks to help. #templemastery

We visited this mission on a Sunday a week ago before the 10 am mass. We read that we cannot “tour” the inside of the mission during mass. It’s a beautiful church and worth the visit. There was a hill next to the mission that had a spectacular view of the mission and the valley. There were vendors outside the church selling food and drinks.

If you're in the state you need to visit. Such a peaceful place. Amazing how much of a visit into the past that it is. Worthwhile stop for anyone, whether Catholic or not. Cool history, too! Friendliest roadrunner I've ever met was there, too! He came right up to me and stood on a log right beside me for several minutes looking me over and chirping.

This church was so beautiful! The fact that it's as old as it is and that it's still an active church today is wonderful! The history is amazing and the gift shop is full of very interesting items.

This place is worth the short drive 15 minute drive south of Tucson. The main hall is very impressive. We were able to sign the guest book and even lighted a candle. I brough5 my mother in her wheelchair and there were several areas on the grounds that were wheelchair accessible.

The sense of history, beautiful art, working church...just kind of hits you when you enter. So beautiful. Food vendors out by parking lot. Restrooms. Wheelchair accessible and a gift shop. Free entry however, they do have donation drops a few places.

Wow!!! When I saw this place from a distance, I started to realize how big it truly is. The place is beautiful, and the artwork is tremendous. This place was on our list to stop by and see for years but each time we came by something happened and we could not stop, but this time, we made a special stop just to see this Mission and it was well worth it.

This mission is an amazing site! Built in the late 1700’s, a pretty great piece of history for the Southwest! The carvings and frescoes are spectacular! You only need about an hour. Nice little gift shop around the corner, and great Mexican made burritos and fry bread options (we split a fry bread w powdered sugar for $4, other food ranging up to $10)

The "White Dove of the Desert" You want to live history, this is living history. Beautiful structure still used for daily mass. Enjoy the native fried bread. Inspirational. Great place for a hike, too.

It's worth the drive! The church is beautiful and so historic. The grounds aren't too large, so it's easy to walk and see it all. Inside the church is amazing. There is so much history and detail everywhere you look.Parking and admission are free. There is a gift shop and a store to purchase special intention candles to light.Definitely worth coming to see!

Beautiful active church with amazing history. Still used so follow protocols if service is underway. Gift shop has interesting items for sale. Outside food vendors and small mall located nearby.

Gorgeous place. Great gift shop., lovely people. Nice little farming cooperative for indigenous products.

Never tired of seeing this Mission. Catholic, so has even more meaning. Affordable tin medals can be purchased to pin representations of your prayers on reclined statue of Saint. There's also a Museum and docents are available at designated times. Active Church so please be reverent.

Lovely mission that lives up to its nickname, "The White Dove of the Desert." It is located on tribal land a few miles south of Tucson. The architecture and design are beautiful. You feel the history and scaredness of the building and grounds the moment you arrive. The inside has amazing frescos that were restored a few years ago. It is an active church with services held there on Sundays. During the week, the crowds are minimal; you may see artists painting or drawing the building. Be sure to take the short stroll across the parking lot to visit the cafe and shops.

I am so glad I came to visit. Incredibly beautiful church and well maintained, rich with so much history. Love the Moorish touches. The outside garden is also lovely and the gift shop was great. Incredible architecture and details. Burrito was also nice and filling.

Unbelievably beautiful on the inside and outside. Amazing murals up the walls and ceilings. A must-see in Tuscon. Self guided or guided tours are available. A place to also say thanks and reflect and pray. Beautiful gifts available in gift shops. Take cash for donations.

This is one of the most beautiful missions I have ever visited. The interior is just as stunning as the exterior. This mission is built on Tohono Oodham land. At the time of its initial construction, it was part of New Spain. It dates back to 1675, which makes it one of the oldest churches in Arizona.

4.8

(7532)

4.5

(4414)

1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746, USA

Incredibly fun, the shows are fantastic and worth every penny! All of the actors are amazingly talented and professional. This place has so much going on, with several restaurants, a couple of shops and ice cream! Take a mini train ride or ride in a horse and buggy. Definitely, family friendly.

My family went and had an excellent time. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The performers are all great. It reminds me of a 🎄 Christmas Hallmark. We had hamburgers and fries that were delicious. Afterwards we had hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookies. The train ride was so 🆒😎. The carousel 🎠 ride was fun. The security guard Ron helped us with directions. Thanks everyone.

My wife and I were on vacation from England, and we just had to visit a cowboy/western movie set. We absolutely loved it. It was like going back in time. All the actors were brilliant, the set was cool too. We were able to wander around going into all the buildings, watch shows, take rides on a train, horse-drawn carriage, and a carousel, all included in the entry price. Really good value for money. We had fun and laughter all day. Thanks Old Tucson and if we ever are in Arizona again, we will definitely return.

My Mother lived in Tucson for 20 years every time my Brother, Sister and myself would come visit my Mother, (who has now passed)We always looked forward to having fun visiting Old Tucson.We have a lot of great memories, wish it would open up to the public again.I have friend's visiting me from the East Coastand it would have been a fun place to visit.

Our family of four tried Yuletide at Old Tucson and truly enjoyed it! Our kids are ages 11 and 9, and they had a great time. Our favorite parts were the hayride (gorgeous, HUGE Percheron horses) and the traditional Mexican Christmas music at the mission. The decorations and caroling added perfect atmosphere, and the shows were excellent (don't miss a Yuletide Carol!). The Krampus mine tour was unique and fun....I just hope the guides use mics next year. And I can't forget....spiked hot chocolate! What a great idea!!! Parking attendants we're very helpful and appreciated. For their first year, this was a fantastic event and we hope they offer it again next year. It will only keep get better and better! Thanks, Old Tucson!

We had not been to Old Tucson since the 60s, and we were not disappointed. Tickets are reasonable and include all shows and games. Lots of things were lost in the fire, but they have done a great job of restoring a lot of it back. Was a very fun and memorable day.

We were there during off season, they said. So, we had to take the tour and were not able to just walk around freely. There was the street with the saloon on corner We didn't get to go to. But, other than that, it was cool to see where a lit of Westerns were filmed. The tour guide was knowledgeable.

Had a wonderful time on the ghost tour last night 🌙 What a great way to celebrate Halloween! And the guides were fantastic! Thank you Rob and Preston! I took my 80 year old Dad who uses a walker and he was so appreciative of the extra TLC from the guides due to his mobility. We both had a great experience! Thank you kindly! I've included a few photos including the EMF lighting up indicating spiritual activity in the ballroom/saloon. It also lit up entirely in the courthouse at the lower corner of a window * very fascinating. And I checked electrical outlets and other sources of energy and it didn't react at all... spooky and very fun! Highly recommend*

First time visit, and had nice experience. Enjoyed the filming history of the place. The Jesse James stunt show was entertaining. The mine walk through was fun and very dark. One recommendation is to go early, because the BBQ place ran out of BBQ brisket and bbq pork. But the Cowboy Cafe had decent food at a good price. I loved the pretzel bites! Can't wait to go back.

What a magical little place this is!!! We stumbled upon this while visiting Tucson and it quickly became our favorite part of the trip. The staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and all around wonderful. The shows were so fun! We loved the magic show and the stunt show. My two highlights were the blacksmith who customized a horseshoe hook that I purchased & the older gentlemen who we met in the saloon who taught us how to play Faro and gave us an amazing history lesson on how they made booze back in the day! Honestly, the place itself is super cool but the staff really make it come alive. I highly recommend this place!! Cannot wait to come back. Thank you all for making our time so special!

My family and I visited in 2000. Was very entertaining, from pictures with the bar mades to watching a western shoot out with bank robbers. You could even take a stage coach ride and get held up by bandits. Take a train ride with the kids around the studio or drive a small car around a track. Also, they had an area where you can pan for gold and many more things to do. Hopefully, they reopen soon and bring back all of the fun!

Cannot say enough about Old Tucson and Yuletide. It is truly our family's new Christmas tradition. Fun shows, beautiful decorations, good food and kind folks around every turn. Cannot wait to see more out of this old favorite. Good to see you back on your feet Old Tucson!

It's nice to be able to see old western movie set in real life and old tucson plays a big part in that history. I am so glad that our tour guide is knowledgeable of the story behind those buildings that were built from different movies back then.

What an absolute gem! So thrilled that this treasure has reopened. It’s hallowed ground for western history and western cinema buffs. We took a guided tour today (off season). The tour guide was informative, funny, and very knowledgeable. Can’t wait to return during season to experience it again. Excellent souvenir shop as well with very sweet and helpful staff. I hope this place flourishes for generations- go support it!!

I went for halloween festivities. It was fun. Food smelled amazing and the shows were good. I had a great evening. The gift shop had some of the cutest gifts!

Visiting Old Tucson is literally like stepping back in time to the 1800s old West. The scenery and costumes are very authentic. The role players walking around Old Tucson are very helpful while staying in character.I recently attended the Yuletide holiday event at Old Tucson and it was amazing! The holiday lighting and music along with the fragrance of baked desserts, hot chocolate, and the scent of firewood take you to a place and time I long for especially during the Christmas season.There were a variety of performances throughout Old Tucson that repeated several times to allow each visitor to attend all of them. The acts included a magic show, a stunt show, photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, etc. Almost all of the shows are outdoors so check the weather and dress accordingly.There is a story line that runs all evening long and you get bits of the story at each performance. It begins with the arrival of Santa at the "West Pole" for the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town square which is interrupted by the antagonist, Jack Frost.There are carolers who appear in different places around town to sing traditional holiday songs. Watch for the elves who mysteriously appear on the roof of the courthouse to crack jokes and make witty comments to the crowd below.The food in the park is decent, but way overpriced for the quality and portion sizes. The desserts are delicious, but also expensive. They do provide a small (8 oz.) beverage cup with your meal that is eligible for free refills anywhere in the park. Other than food and souvenirs there are no additional expenses beyond the admission price.I would highly recommend purchasing your tickets online so you can save $5 per person. I also suggest you arrive 30+ minutes before the gates open in order to park in the main parking lot. Otherwise it may be necessary to park in an overflow parking lot that is a significant walking distance to the gate. I did not see any shuttle service operating the time I visited.Old Tucson is definitely worth a visit anytime you happen to be in the Tucson area!

Schöner Ort mit viel Filmgeschichte! Leider gab es nur eine geführte Tour mit umfangreichen Erklärungen wer wann wo was an Filmen gedreht hat dort. Gerne hätte man in die Kulissen mehr reingeguckt und sich in seinem eigenen Tempo den Ort angesehen. So war es leider nur eine Stunde zum Schauen. Trotzdem hat es sich gelohnt und ich würde es jeden der die Möglichkeit hat den Ort zu besuchen empfehlen es zu tun.(Translated by Google)Nice place with a lot of film history! Unfortunately there was only a guided tour with extensive explanations of who shot what films there, when and where. You would have liked to have taken a closer look behind the scenes and seen the place at your own pace. So unfortunately it was only an hour to watch. Nevertheless, it was worth it and I would recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to visit the place do so.

We did the History Tour and found it informative. Our guide was just great in providing information and adding entertainment to the stories. This is a nice diversion to the hiking in the area. And while it was hot, we got to many places that were shaded to help beat the heat. I thought it was good value for the ticket price. We were out and about for over an hour.

We enjoyed the hour long tour. If you can, try to visit in cooler months when the park is properly open. We probably missed a lot. It's still worth a visit though.John, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the movies and was fun. Good gift shop too.

Super kid and stroller friendly!It is expensive, online it says tickets are 34$ a piece but when we went it was 45$ a piece. Lots of history and so much to see! The little shows and tours are super interesting and interactive. All the staff and actors were very nice about letting us put our stroller places and keeping eyes on it when we would go through some of the activities. We definitely enjoyed our visit and if in Arizona again we would definitely go again for the day!

Ask for their bogo offer on admission.This place was so much fun. A lot to see. We had a full day planned and once we got there we stayed all day. The characters are wandering around interacting with the visitors.We watched a show, took a stage coach ride and a train ride. It was all fun and somewhat educational. Good for adults as well as kids.

What a delight! The professional, well-thought out theme park — but with a western charm — was wonderful! Staff were helpful and fun-living. They truly love what they do. The shows in the saloon were seasonally-perfect. There is a variety of food available. I included the food menu/prices in the photos. My family will definitely attend again next year! Well-done!

The actors were so upbeat! Each show was so funny, corny, but very humorous. The stage coach ride was great, and so was the train ride. We spent the whole day there and enjoyed very minute. P.S. the ice cream was yummy!

We stayed the whole day to catch every show. The Jesse James shoot-out and jail break was great to watch. The stunt show gave you insight as how stunts are done. The actors answered questions and allowed photos to be taken with them. Walking through buildings and seeing what shows/movies were filmed there was amazing.The stage coach took you through the area and gave you the history, too.

We went in December for Yuletide, it was our first time visiting Old Tucson. Tickets were slightly pricey, but it included all of the shows, train ride, hayride, etc. so I think it evened out for the cost to get in. I'd say we were there for three and a half to four hours. They had holiday decorations & lights up, there were elves and carolers that helped bring you the holiday spirit. We had arrived just a few minutes before they opened & the line to get in was massive, but thankfully as soon as the opened the line moved pretty quickly so we weren't waiting in line forever. I thought the little museum they had with a lot of old movie props & information from films & shows that were filmed at the location was pretty neat. It was also cool being able to see the black smith working right in front of everyone.The opening ceremony with Santa was fantastic, the only thing I would say they could change is maybe have some kind of rope or paint line in the dirt to show where everyone needs to be standing for it. People were spread kind of all over & when the staff started corralling everyone to where they needed to be there were a lot of rude people shoving and cutting in front of people trying to get the people who were already in the proper spot out of the way.I felt like they had a lot to offer/do during the Yuletide event. There were quite a few shows to watch, a small hay maze for kids, a theatre showing classic holiday movies, a trivia game for kids, a carousel, story time with Mrs. Clause, Photos with Santa, a holiday sing along hayride, a train ride and more. All of the staff we had interacted with were friendly & helpful. The stunt show didn't have anything overly wild, but the actors are what made the show fun to see, we enjoyed the show & had a great time.We didn't try any of the food options at Old Tucson so I can't comment on the price or how good the food was. I only gave it four stars as some of the prices in the gift shop & candy store were a bit high and on top of a semi pricey ticket to get in might make it harder for some families to be able to afford a trip. A tiny piece of fudge was $10 for plain & other treats and merch were pretty up there was well. Other than that we are glad we were able to visit & see what Old Tucson had to offer for the holiday season.

Great place to take out of town family or friends. As a local, I had no idea how fun this would be. Very kid-friendly with lots of activites, rides, things to see and space to roam. The goats and the petting zoo was a favorite for the grown ups too. Horses were all around and all animals were really well hydrated and taken care off. Actors walk around and stay in character. We followed the itinerary for gun fights and comedy shows -- we stayed all day and ate good food and dessert. Bring your water bottle and sun protection. Look up their bag policy.

Unfortunately, it was a windy Friday so several buildings and the carousel were closed and shows were canceled. It took us about 30-45 minutes to walk around and read signboard literature. The train and stagecoach were running, but we didn't have a chance to ride either. The price was high for what we experienced, but we understand their overhead costs..

4.5

(4448)

4.0

(1801)

201 Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85735, USA

4 lists

What a great out door adventure, amusem*nt, activity! This museum will definitely have you engaged for hours and hours. Definitely visit hours before closing unless you're just going to the gift shop. The animals, the design the knowledge available and gain will be forever treasured! I had a blast with my family. Honestly the apprehension made it the adventure very suspenseful and rewarding! I think tour guides should be available for this type of museum. It will definitely take the adventure from Great to Extraordinary!!!!

Wow! What a great place to visit! I highly recommend it! Loved the experience learning about the desert life! The facility is very well maintained! They have both indoor and outdoor experiences. The outdoor trek around the desert is a unique experience. It's an opportunity to view so many different cacti! Who knew some are hairy? They have plenty of hydration stations around the walkway, which was really needed! A return to the air-conditioning was much appreciated. Inside there are a variety of exhibits from sea life to desert life. There is a very nice gift shop and a small venue for drinks and ice cream. Everyone was extremely helpful! Parking was surface parking and it was Hot!!

Overall a beautiful and informative experience! I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that all of the inside exhibits were rather small. The aquarium was okay, but again it was rather small. There is so much listed on the website, the place would have to be enormous to contain rooms and rooms of exhibits. I was saddened to see how small the individual cases were for the snakes and other critters. Barely enough room for the snakes to move around. I feel badly for the Black bear and Bighorn Sheep that were each alone in their habitats. Their habitats were a decent size, but the bear especially seemed rather sad. The hummingbird aviary had lots of shade and spaces for the hummingbirds to hide in, but there didn't seem to be very many birds. My husband and I enjoyed walking through the desert habitat. We had not seen Javelina in person before, so that was a fun new experience. The Cactus Garden was terrific. So many types of cactus I had not seen before, and there were lots of signs explaining the different types. It is beautifully maintained and everything is so healthy-looking! I took lots of photos there! There were staff spaced out all along the outside areas, and they were very friendly and shared lots of good tidbits. We had lunch at the Ironwood Terraces. Food was tasty and reasonably priced, totaling between $30-$40 for the 2 of us. My husband had a burger and I had chicken tenders, both came with fries. We spent about 3 hours in total, and we're glad we decided to check it out. We've only lived in Arizona for 5 months, and I would recommend it to other newcomers.

Sonora Desert Museum is so much more than a museum! It's a botanical garden, aquarium, zoo, enrichment center and gallery! It's got big animals, fish, rodents, reptiles and birds! The plant life is extraordinary and it's all labeled throughout so you can learn more about native plants without guessing! It's a complete program from start to finish and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every hour we spent there! We took the opportunity to participate in the Avian Experience with an amazing team and two stunningly gorgeous owls! I highly recommend spending a day in Tucson at this amazing discovery!

I haven't been in years. It was nice to revisit. Always some changes for the better and a couple disappointments but overall it's bigger and better than ever. We didn't get through it all - it has expanded quite a bit! There were several habitats that were inexplicably empty. I hope they have plans to get some new animals in!It's a must-see for the Tucson area.

Really enjoyed our day here. If you are interested in seeing a lot of different vegetation and a nice walk This is it. There were different exhibits which were nice like the minerals and there’s a few live animal exhibits but just seeing the beautiful Saguaro’s made it worth it!

I had a really lovely time here. It’s a nature preserve and natural history museum and zoo and aquarium all rolled into one. Very unique and satisfying experience. I would probably not want to go back at high noon like I did this time—very hot in July, of course. But they do have sunscreen distribution stations for reapplication and lots of water fountains. The fountains can also fill bottles do bring one along with you and stay hydrated. Say hi to the mountain lion for me.

This place is special. I love Botanic Gardens, but to have all the desert plants and flowers makes it unique and fascinating. It is also a great walk through the desert with a gorgeous view. I love the MINERAL EXHIBIT and the aquarium exhibit. The minerals are in a cave exhibit which looks like the real thing. SO COOL. The Hummingbird Aviary was dreamy.There is SO much to see and do. You could probably see the highlights in an hour or two. But I could spend days just getting lost in this wonderful place.Definitely remember how HOT it is. Many people were complaining already. Just remember, it's the desert. ;) And, keep your paper map! Your phone probably won't have service either. So good to know if you want to split up. And you can see a lot but don't have to do the loop through the desert unless you want to; especially if you have young kids or are concerned about the heat. It's a nice walk but you see mostly the same things near the entrance.Even the Gift Shop was amazing. I am not much of a shopper, but this was full of gorgeous pottery and minerals and books and Prickly Pear Taffy! The snack bar there has delicious drinks too! I loved the AGAVE LIMEADE! And the Prickly Pear Lemonade was delicious.The staff and all of the volunteers were wonderful people. The whole experience was good for my Soul. Thank you so much!

This Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was super cool because they had great educational sections for kids and adults to learn about the desert landscape while providing a great outdoor experience walking around. I will advise, it gets extremely hot so bring lots of cold water. Luckily the bathrooms had sunscreen which helps quite a bit.The whole museum is outside technically and it comprises of a variety of sections to explore with lots of desert plans, animals, caves to explore and things to see. The staff is super friendly and the gift shop has quite a collection. The whole desert walking experience is ADA friendly.

This was a wonderful place to visit! There is a hummingbird aviary! There is an excellent restaurant, and a lovely gallery with scratch board art. You can even touch stingrays. There is a beautiful pollinator garden too.

Awesome museum with lots to see. I checked out every exhibit other than the closed #11 burrowed animals. It took me around 3 hours and it was worth it. For the big animals outdoors, it was a bit of a hit or miss whether you see them or not so just don't be disappointed if the animals are taking a nap and you can't find them. They have a decent gift shop and restaurant. Good amount of parking but the road to get here can be hilly.

Had a lovely time with my boyfriend walking around the trails and paths. I enjoyed it so much and discovered many things I hadn’t seen before like the coyote enclosure. Also enjoyed the art exhibit and hummingbird enclosure. Very relaxing!

Great museum.Visited for the summer evening program and it was a great visit. Seeing the park descend into darkness was very informative.The gardens are in great shape, and the staff are wonderful. Plenty of activities to do, including solar telescopes and mineral finding in the dark. Found a cool piece of calcite.Parking is good, restrooms are good, gift shops are good as well.Plenty of water stations dotted around the park which is excellent.Well worth the entry fee to see all the plants and wildlife that would otherwise be quite difficult to see.

I went for the plants and there were a lot in bloom.Would have been nice if the animals were more visible. Need to be very patient to see any birds. We went at 8:30 am, which was nice,cause it got hotter more crowded and noisier by 10 am. Great gift shops. Loved the geology exhibit with the rocks and minerals.

Great time with the kiddos and beautiful spot. We hadn't been here in about 20 years, and it was definitely worth it. The stingray exhibition, which does cost extra both for entry and for feeding, was amazing for the kids. Very educational, very fun, definitely wet. The pack rat playhouse was an amazing place for kids! It's inside, air conditioned, and has a lot of play activities for the kids, there's even picnic tables for the adults. Overall great time!

Wow! What a beautiful park. We got the membership because we’ll definitely be going back.I recommend going early to avoid the heat and take a few extra dollars to keep cool for a bit with your arms in the stingray pool! Plus, you might get lucky, if you look too hot the little buggers might just splash you!Bring a bottle for water, there are several bottle refill fountains and those are all located on the free map at the entrance.There are signs about the rattlesnakes and they mean it. Remember they share the wild places with us, not the other way around. Watch your step and keep your distance.We came in April and the gardens were beautiful and had many flowering cacti and succulents! The pollinators were working hard and this is the place to see them!The gift shop is great, a little expensive, but you know, gift shops always are. Overall, a great experience!

Great. Bring a water bottle...they have fresh and cold, free water refill stations throughout. A bit hot for some of the animals to be active but we found most of them. The sky, the view the interesting facts...incredible. beautiful representation of the desert. Glad to have bought a membership because it's not possible to see everything in a day.

Great experience. The weather is perfect in October. I made it through the entire facility in just shy of 3 hours. The museum is well maintained with helpful volunteer members. If you are an Arizona resident, you will receive a reduce price admission. I would recommend this museum for families, tourist and the elderly. Per effect introduction to the Sonoran Desert.

Absolutely fantastic! I haven’t bee here in over ten years and the last time was on a field trip with my oldest and this time was also a field trip with my middle son ! They have added a huge variety of fun activities as well as animals! My son was super excited about the cave with crystals in it ! Staff are very warm , welcoming and willing to go that extra mile to ensure you enjoy your experience !

This museum has it all. Learn about the local plants and wildlife, see animals like otters, wolves, and big horned sheep, see hummingbirds up close, plus so much more. I highly recommend visiting if you are a visitor or live in the area. The Cafe also has the best prickly pear Margheritas. Yum! They also have nice restrooms throughout with both hand sanitizer and sunscreen dispensers.

I've been there a few times over the past 3 years, and it's one museum that never gets old. That being said, it's super unique just due to it being outdoor and indoors with amazing trails to get that true desert experience. There are places to eat or get a quick bite from the Café in the gift shop. There are stingrays and even a theater and art gallery for a little brake for when it gets unruly with the heat. We'll be going again, 100 percent.

This is a gem of a place in the Tucson area. Excellent animal displays of all sorts from large cats to aquatic animals. Walking paths are mostly paved, frequent bathroom and water fountains available everywhere. Get some exercise while enjoying the desert outdoors and displays!

I hadn't been there in 10 years or so and was really impressed. There are a number of new exhibits. It is truly a gem. Great place to take out-of-state visitors. One thing that you should be aware of is that you need to be prepared to do a lot of walking. It's a big facility and some sections are dirt/gravel, but smooth and well maintained. The staff are very professional and helpful.Definitely get a map, if you don't want to miss something good. Wear sunscreen and bring a hat.

Great attraction for families and couples - has a small aquarium, small zoo/bird aviaries (the hummingbird aviary is particularly unique), art gallery, gem museum and large botanical garden to learn about Arizona's history. Gift shop has some great local products and is not overly expensive like some other attractions. Great way to spend 2-3 hours.

We live in Phoenix and have been here many times, so we decided to take our out of town visitors to the Desert Museum. It’s been a few years for us, but the place has only gotten better. It is definitely a well curated representation of the flora and fauna of the whole Sonoran desert, not just Arizona. The wildlife areas are, of course, the most impressive. Many or most of the animals at the museum were rescued from bad situations involving humans, and even through they are now living in what is essentially a zoo, they seem to have very nice area and great care. I will definitely go back again, probably when it’s a little cooler out so that we can see more of the residents. Very highly recommended.

We went here on a weekday morning while in Tucson. This place is much more than a museum. It’s also a small zoo, its grounds include some walking trails that take you past a variety of plants. It has a nice restaurant as well as a snack type of shop with hot sandwiches, salads etc. The gift shop has some really nice items for sale. The zoo area has a good variety of animals that are native to Arizona… ocelots, wolves, snakes for example. We also saw a couple of staff members who each had an owl. They were happy to talk to us about the owls and answer questions. At 10am you can go to an outdoor area where a few staff members come out to feed a few raptors. It’s a free fly so the birds are not caged etc but fly in to get food. The staff speak about the birds. They come separately…a raven, owl and a few falcons. It was pretty amazing. I’d plan on staying for a few hours. It’s easy to find as it’s near the entrance to the Saguaro National Park West. Highly recommend!

Hands down one of the most magical places in our country. The wondrous beauty of the desert and its creatures are highlighted throughout every inch of the Desert Museum. I could wander these trails for days and still have the “is this a real place?” feeling at the end. It’s vibrant, alive, and exudes thoughtfulness in the layout, the care for the habitat, and the emphasis on native species of all kinds.This was my second time visiting. This time around I was joined by my husband, teenage son, and my parents. Range in ages from 14-72. We appreciated the ample benches either views for rest breaks, the many on-site dining options, and the mix of active learning paired with breathing room to just take in the wonders of the Arizona desert landscape.Come here. Stay awhile. And then come back and do it again so you see how it changes.

What an excellent place to visit. Easy to walk around, views are amazing. Such a wide variety of cacti, lots of explanation. Cafes and restaurant so you can refresh and enjoy your day.

Having family in the Phoenix area, the Desert Museum was a place I was longing to visit. We arrived around 11am it was quite busy, so parking close by was a challenge. The grounds are well maintained, and the staff was very helpful. There is plenty to see except the birds in flight were closed till October. I encourage you if you're in Tucson to schedule a few hours to check them out.

We visited the last week of December which just happened to be the perfect weather for visiting, it wasn't very cold, and it wasn't hot either! We had a fantastic time while we were here, almost everything was out & could be seen. Granted a few of the animals were just sleeping while bathing in the sun, but that is what animals do. Animals are just that, animals and the animals they have here aren't trained so it is a toss of a coin whether they will be out to see or not, it happens so I was very happy we got to see pretty much all of them. I could have stayed inside of the bird aviaries all day if my husband and kids weren't with. We didn't do the rays as it was an additional cost and we had done a similar thing the day before.I loved all of the different gardens as well, a lot of the cactus had flowers and all kinds of birds, and small critters were out enjoying the weather as well. I caught some great shots for my nature photography page that I am looking forward to sharing. I also thought it was neat they have an art gallery to visit, they had some beautiful pieces that would be nice to own. If you are looking for a slightly cleaner and less trafficked bathroom, there was no one inside of the art gallery when we were in there which meant the bathrooms were also empty.The minerals cave was also pretty neat, the kids really liked that they had a "real life" cave experience where you could squeeze through to the other side. Being able to do a walk/mini hike while exploring the grounds and looking at animals was a lot of fun. If I lived closer I would visit here more often! The reptile house was nice, there was a lot to see and the Aquarium was pretty cool as well. Get there early if you want a parking spot closer to the entrance! The parking lot fills up fast, then you'll have to park further back and take a mini hike just to get to the entrance. We got there right as they were opening and there was already quite a bit of traffic. When everyone went to see the birds of prey show we used it as a chance to check out the reptile house since there were only a few people in it & when we went to the aquarium, we had the whole thing to ourselves aside from one staff member fixing/cleaning something on a tank.It was a blast to visit and I can't wait to go back!

We were there on 3/9/24. Be sure that the raptor show is happening the day you go. I had been to the show before, so I had my husband stand where I had a pretty good idea the birds would fly directly over his head. Yup. He had birds fly over his head within inches. This place is a zoo and botanical Garden. The docents are great in explaining the area plants. There are grey wolves there (very few left in the world) that the docents is very knowledgeable about. There is a humming bird aviary, which is cool. Wear good shoes as some paths are not paved. This is a must to see

It's a truly beautiful attraction with stunning views of nature. The harmony of various saguaro, mountains, and the sky is breathtaking. Very scenic drive ways to get here as well. We visited with my 2-year-old baby, and the ground was quite smooth and flat, making it easy to walk around and explore the sights. Please be sure to bring a stroller when you visit with your toddlers though. I highly recommend this museum to visitors from other states or countries.

I live near Phoenix. This past weekend was my 3rd visit to the museum this year. Finally, I purchased a season pass. I am so impressed with this amazing collection of all things Sonoran. This place offers educational content and volunteers who actually enjoy educating. On the edge of Saguaro National Park the views are spectacular. It is most definitely worth the price of admission. The Raptor show is incredible when it is in season. Other standouts are the beautiful botanical gardens, we enjoy the cave & the museum’s rock & gem collection. The museum deserves your support & I wholeheartedly recommend to locals & visitors. FYI there are hiking trails that have slight inclines, zoo exhibitions, as well as indoor play areas and displays out of the sun. Come prepared & drink water

What an amazing museum to visit while in Tucson. They have a little zoo and various terrariums with snakes and spiders and fish, even an Axolotl. A small art exhibition, a theatre where they run animal shows. One can easily spend a whole day here.

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(10214)

5.0

(8915)

2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA