Seven Falls Hike: How to Explore Breathtaking Sabino Canyon

You have arrived in warm and sunny Arizona! Spend an afternoon exploring Sabino Canyon and complete the Seven Falls hike in Bear Canyon. The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located 25 minutes northwest of Tucson, AZ, and is part of the Coronado National Forest.

Spend some time exploring here by hiking or using the optional shuttle to explore this mountain desert region. This post is part of our guide on visiting Arizona’s 3 National Parks.

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Before You Venture Out

• During our visit in Spring 2024, an interagency pass was accepted for admission at this park, but please check with the visitor center to make sure before you head out.
• Parking may be an issue during peak season, but there is overflow parking available here.

Weather and General Safety at Sabino Canyon

• Cell phone coverage is spotty as you enter the remote areas of this park. Have an alternate plan for communications as needed.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. We pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails.
• Always carry a first aid kit.
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!
• Be aware of heat-related illnesses – you are in the desert after all!

Animal Safety at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

• Sabino Canyon is home to many animals, including mountain lions, rattlesnakes, lizards, Gila monster, gray fox, javelina, etc.
  • Review the steps to take if you encounter a mountain lion along the trail.

Bear Canyon Seven Falls Hike – moderate, 8.3 miles, out and back, 600 ft. gain

First, park at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center located off of N. Sabino Canyon Road. We arrived at peak time on a Saturday between 12 and 2 pm, and parking was not an issue.

Use your interagency pass, or if you don’t have one, purchase your parking admission and make sure it’s displayed on the dashboard. Daily parking is $8.00. There are restrooms here at the visitor center.

To hike to Seven Falls, head toward the east side of the parking lot to the Bear Canyon Loop Trail. Follow signs to reach the trailhead. First, you will hike through a sandy desert on a fairly wide path.

Eventually, you will reach the road. Here, turn right and follow the road, crossing over the Sabino Creek Bridge. Turn right on the road after the bridge and follow this until you reach the trailhead to Seven Falls and Bear Canyon.

From the picnic area, the Seven Falls hike is 5.3 miles round trip to Seven Falls and back. For the most part, this trail has a very slight and steady elevation gain. Wind your way through the desert, crossing the creek at multiple locations. You may or may not get wet here depending on the water level.

➡️Read Next: Saguaro National Park Hiking: How to Hike to Wasson Peak

Seven Falls

At about 2.6 miles, you will reach Seven Falls! Each one of the falls here is probably no higher than 20 feet, but each of the falls together creates an amazing series of waterfalls surrounded by mountains.

Take some time to rest, enjoy yourself, and even take a swim in the water. After you have cooled off, head back the way you came in to reach the Bear Canyon Picnic Area. From here, retrace your steps 1.5 miles to the visitor center parking lot.

🚙Looking for something else fun to do near Tucson? Check out some popular tours from Viator!

Bear Canyon Crawler

If you want to shave off a total of 3 miles of your hike, take the Bear Canyon Shuttle. The Bear Canyon Shuttle departs from the visitor center every 30 minutes from 9:15 to 4:15 pm. The cost is $8.00 per person for adults and $5.00 per child.

The shuttle will take you directly to the Bear Canyon Picnic Area, which is where you will begin and end the hike. Visit their website for more information and to purchase tickets before you arrive.

Sabino Canyon Crawler

Don’t want to hike? Want to ride and hike? Take the Sabino Canyon Crawler! This all-electric shuttle also departs from the visitor center every 30 minutes from 9 am to 4 pm daily. The cost is $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children.

The total round-trip on the Sabino Canyon Crawler is 1 hour up the road and back. You are allowed to exit the shuttle at stops 1 through 9 to explore the canyon on your own! Furthermore, you also have the option to take a hike back down to the visitor center, or just show your ticket to come back aboard.

Taking the Crawler up to the end of the road and hopping off will allow you to hike the Phoneline Trail back down to the visitor center. This trail is about 5 miles one way.

You also have the option to hike along the road. Taking the road back to the visitor center is about 4 miles. Hike as little or as much as you want using the road and shuttle to make your return.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of great options to spend a few nights in Tucson while you explore the area. Here are some of the top-rated accommodations from Expedia or Booking.com:

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson Paloma Village – an all-suite property with cooked-to-order breakfast – Did you say cooked-to-order?! Yes! It’s amazing. You will not regret staying here! Book it now on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Leo Kent Hotel, Tucson, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – an upscale downtown hotel with a restaurant and bar. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort – a resort on 34 acres of natural desert landscape with a unique fine dining option. Reserve your room now on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Best Western InnSuites Tucson Foothills Hotel & Suites – a classic Best Western experience with breakfast included. Find your room on Expedia or Booking.com now.

Final Thoughts

After arriving in the morning in Phoenix, we drove 2 hours south and spent the afternoon at Sabino Canyon. This park did not disappoint! We chose to complete the Sabino Canyon Seven Falls hike. It was a great hike to start off our trip to Arizona.

Conversely, we also thought about using the Sabino Canyon Crawler to ride up and hike the Phoneline Trail back down. Either of these options is a great choice if you plan to visit the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

We were also super excited (or terrified?) that we got to see our first rattlesnake in the desert as we hiked! Don’t worry, we didn’t get too “rattled”!

If you are looking for something more low-key to spend your afternoon after traveling, check out Viator for some options in and around Tucson.

🥞Don’t forget to reserve your stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson Paloma Village. You can’t go wrong with a cooked-to-order breakfast!