Recreation Region: Santa Catalina Mountains

Bear Canyon Trail #29

This trail is located in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and offers access to the dramatic landscape of the Santa Catalina front range, famous for its deep canyons and soaring ridges. The trail begins at the east end of the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center parking lot and heads east. You can walk from the visitor center (following the trail and roads) or ride the Bear Canyon Shuttle route to the last stop and start hiking from there. From the Bear Canyon Overlook, the trail crosses the stream several times in its first two miles and provides spectacular views of both Sabino and Bear canyons as it climbs to Bear Saddle past the Seven Falls. There, it intersects the Sycamore Reservoir #39 trail. The East Fork Trail #29 follows Sabino Creek 2.1 miles to the junction with Sabino Canyon Trail #23. From this point, it is 2.5 miles back to the end of the road where hikers can catch a shuttle bus ride (for a fee) or walk back to their car to complete a 13.4-mile loop.

Bear Canyon #29 Photo Gallery

Active Alerts

Sabino and Bear Canyon Closure Order 03-05-03-25-002

General Information

When the water is running, your feet will get wet on this hike.

Year-round

Open 24 hours/day

Bikes are not permitted on any dirt trails in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Motorized and mechanical vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in wilderness.

Day Use:
$8 per vehicle per day
$10 per vehicle per week

Dogs are not permitted in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

Entrance to the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center

Address: 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750
Phone: (520) 749-8700
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 32.30944444

Longitude: -110.8211111

Elevation

5,000 feet

Directions

From Tanque Verde Road in Tucson turn north on Sabino Canyon Road and follow it 4 miles to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., hikers can take the shuttle (for a fee) to Bear Canyon. If you prefer, or if the shuttle bus is not running, you can hike to the trailhead along the shuttle bus route. Equestrians must stay on the designated horse trails.

Parking

Parking is available at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. Proof of payment or a valid Coronado National Forest Annual Pass or Interagency (America The Beautiful) Pass including the Annual: Senior, Access, and Active Duty Military pass, must be displayed on the driver’s side of the vehicle dashboard. Other visitors should carry their day pass with them.