Tucson Mountain Park

About

Tucson Mountain Park covers about 20,000 acres of Sonoran Desert on Tucson's west side and is run by Pima County. Its roughly 62 miles of shared-use trails are open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. Walking the trails costs nothing, and the picnic areas have tables, ramadas and grills. Gilbert Ray Campground, the shooting and archery ranges and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are also in the park but run as separate facilities. The park is popular for birding and wildlife viewing, and the county even publishes a bird checklist for it. Gates Pass overlook is here too, with interpretive displays and a view the county recommends for sunsets.