Tucson, Arizona is mountain biking nirvana. Looking for great scenery and a challenge? Our mountain bike guides have the answers to all your trail questions. Browse below to find cycling routes and biking trails of all kinds in gorgeous Tucson, Arizona and the surrounding areas.
If you’re looking for quick recommendations, we suggest you check out the following spots:
-Head to Oro Valley and mountain bike Honeybee Canyon and Golder Ranch.
-Tackle Starr Pass Trail on our Southwest side for a challenging ride on the same trails that Hollywood old westerns were filmed.
-Dominate Fantasy Island mountain bike park near Davis Monthan Air Force Base.
Tucson Bike Tours and Rentals delivers and picks up mountain bikes to all Tucson trails.
Bike for one hour to a whole day! We will pick up your bikes and leave you with a smile.
All Tucson/Southern Arizona Mountain Bike Trails “At a Glance”
Bikers really dig Starr Pass !
Best Oro Valley/Northwest Tucson Mountain Bike Trails
- Honeybee Canyon/Rail X Mountain Bike Trails – The pride of Tucson/Oro Valley. 35 miles of incredible, enduro, scenic trails that is great for mountain bikers of all levels.
- Tortolita Preserve – Dove Mountain – Great trail system near the Ritz Carlton.
- Golder Ranch Mountain Bike Trails – This is certainly one of the nicest areas on the 50 year trail to ride. More challenging than Honeybee Canyon.
- 24 Hours In The Old Pueblo Bike Course – Fun fast course just north of Oro Valley.
Sweetwater Preserve is a great place for a guided tour.
Arizona’s Best Mountain Biking – Best Central Tucson Trails
- Sweetwater Mountain Bike Trails – The greatest trail system in all of Arizona. Sweetwater has a windy, curvy twisty east side that is fun and great for riders of all levels. The west side is much more challenging and technical. This is a must-do trail!
- Starr Pass Mountain Bike Trails – Another must-do trail! This is much more challenging and technical. Very scenic. Full suspension is in order.
- Fantasy Island Mountain Bike Trails – This is an incredible mountain bike park in central Tucson right next to the Air Force base. The Valencia side is ideal for beginners. Irvington and Harrison side is more challenging, but do-able.
- Tucson Mountain Park Bike Trails – Tucson Mountain Park is an enormous area within the Saguaro National Park East that contains trails that will put a smile on absolutely everyone’s face.
- Brown Mountain Bike Trails – If you like the technical challenge of La Milagrosa on Tucson’s East side, you will love Brown Mountain. The majority of this trail is not for the faint of heart.
Pistol Hill to Three Bridges is challenging, with some technical skills needed.
- Arizona Trail – Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead – Most people start here and go north
or south. North takes you uphill, over some challenging rocks. - Arizona Trail – HWY 83 and Sahuarita Road – park your ride here and you can go north, going downhill to Gabe Zimmerman or even all the way out to Pistol Hill. This is a great ride for those of all levels. OR you can go north on the Arizona Trail, going up hill past three cattle gates. Terrific uphill climb ride.
- Arizona Trail – Pistol Hill to Three Bridges – Big climbing and incredibly scenic.
Southern AZ to the Mexican border offers some incredible rides.
Southern Arizona’s Best Mountain Biking
Sweetwater Preserve is great for those looking for a casual mountain bike ride and those looking for a stunning technically challenging ride.
Best Beginner and Family Friendly Mountain Bike Trails
- Sweetwater Preserve Trails – Tucson – Stay on the east side. Awesome.
- Honeybee Canyon/Rail X – Oro Valley – Perfectly manicured and developed trail.
- Fantasy Island Bunny Trail (Valencia Side) Tucson
- West Desert Preserve – Green Valley – Green Valley’s version of Fantasy Island.
Trails North of Tucson, Arizona
Baby Jesus
The Baby Jesus loop has a very sandy single track climb and the two rugged sections which…
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Cactus Forest – Saguaro
There is a big trail system in the Saguaro National Park East. Unfortunately mountain…
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Charouleau Gap
We’re not sure how often this trail is used, and it mainly double-track used by the local…
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Peppersauce Cave
As far a exciting single track riding goes, it ain’t gonna happen here. This is…
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Cherry Tank
This trail starts off as singletrack branching off from the Middle Gate trail…
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Golder Ranch
The 50-Year Trail is located north of Tucson in Oro Valley, Arizona at the end of Golder Ranch…
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Mt Lemmon – Green Mt
reen Mountain is a VERY technical and fun ride up in the cool forest of Mt. Lemmon…
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Mt Lemmon – Bug Springs
Bug Springs is one of the most fun trails Mt. Lemmon has to offer, and has been officially…
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Tortolita Preserve
Tortolita Preserve is a 9.9 mile single track loop of sand, some hardpack, and rocks with a couple of semi…
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Rail X & Honeybee Canyon
This is another close in, easy ride. It is relatively flat, some jeep trail, dirt road…
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Willow Springs – Old Pueblo
Located north of Oracle off of Willow Springs Road, the course for Epic Ride’s Kona…
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Mt Lemmon – Aspen Draw
A wonderful, cool ride, and fun descent, but not incredibly long. Seven miles WITH the steep…
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Mt Lemmon/AZ Trail/Molino Basin – Italian Trap
This section of the Arizona Trail runs from Italian…
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Mt Lemmon/AZ Trail/Prison Camp – Molino Basin
Depending which way you’re coming…
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Trails West of Tucson, Arizona
Brown Mountain
When it comes to technical trails, East Tucson has La Milagrosa, and the west side…
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Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island’s main loop, Lone Cactus, has many side loops off of it so you can pick…
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La Milagrosa Trails
A wonderful, beautiful, technical, dangerous ride in the Santa Catalina Mountains…
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Pistol Hill – Three Bridges
Typically a North to South out-and-back of 24-miles or so starting from Pistol Hill parking…
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Mt Lemmon/Molino Basin – Italian Trap
This section of the Arizona Trail runs from Italian Trap (on it’s southern end) in the Redington…
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Trails South & Southeast of Tucson, Arizona
Dragoons – East Cochise Stronghold
This ride is located in the Coronado National Forest east of Tucson…
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Dragoons – West Cochise Stronghold
This nice ride is located in the Dragoon Mountains – Coronado National…
Elephant Head Trails
When it’s not been ridden, Elephant Head can get overgrown quite easily. Thankfully…
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West Desert Trails
The West Desert Trails are located on a 2000 acre area to the west of Green Valley…
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IMBA Epic/Gardner Canyon/Kentucky
If you haven’t ridden in the Southwest desert, be prepared for a different…
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Three Bridges – Lakes Rd
Another gorgeous section of the Arizona Trail, this route from Three Bridges at it’s Northern…
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