2 Day Self-Guided Tucson Day Trip Driving Tour Bundle
Overview
Get outside of Tucson and explore its surrounding areas with our Self-Guided Tucson Day Trips Driving Tour Bundle. Discover the unique culture and history of this dynamic destination at your own pace with our expertly crafted self-guided tours. This bundle includes two full-day tours:
- Saguaro National Park
- Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
From the scenic beauty of Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway to the historic landmarks of Saguaro National Park, this bundle offers an immersive journey through the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Each tour includes detailed driving directions, offline maps, fascinating stories as well as insights about the area's history, geology, and more.
- Saguaro National Park
- Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
From the scenic beauty of Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway to the historic landmarks of Saguaro National Park, this bundle offers an immersive journey through the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Each tour includes detailed driving directions, offline maps, fascinating stories as well as insights about the area's history, geology, and more.
Inclusions
- Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
- Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
- Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
- Tours NEVER expire
- Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Saguaro National Park Tour
Stop At: Red Hills Visitor Center, 2700 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743-9719
This visitor center is a wealth of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. There are also good restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theatre.
Entry to Saguaro National Park is $25 per vehicle.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Desert Discovery Nature Trail, Tucson, AZ 85743
An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and easy for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4 mile loop may have flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Valley View Overlook Trail, Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District, Tucson, AZ 85745
A 0.8 mile trail that leads to an impressive overlook above a large expanse of virgin Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
A placid picnic spot with vault toilets and nice desert views.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sendero Esperanza Trailhead, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
This trail offers a stunning route to reach Mt. Wassen, the highest point of the TMD. Along the way one can see saguaros and other desert plants, as well as possibly wildlife as well, reptiles, birds, and possibly mammals, like jackrabbits and javalinas, or even mountain lions.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Signal Hill, Arizona 85743, USA
Stunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains behind.
Duration: 35 minutes
Stop At: Brown Mountain, Arizona 85735, USA
Nice 4 mile loop hike that summits Brown Mountain, a lower hill that's just outside Saguaro National Park.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gates Pass Scenic Lookout, 7799 W Gates Pass Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
A stunning scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
Stop At: Babad Do'ag Trailhead, Mt Lemmon Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
This lovely overlook gives a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, and the mountains beyond.
Entry to Mt. Lemmon is $8 per vehicle.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Molino Canyon Vista, General Hitchcock Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
A pretty canyon that makes for a nice view, especially pretty when there’s water down in the creekbed.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Molino Basin Trail Head, Arizona National Scenic Trail, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
Hike down along an often-dry river and look for ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Seven Cataracts, Arizona 85619, USA
Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak as well as view a rushing cascade of waterfalls on the opposite side of the ravine, though they are dry much of the year. Good spot to see wildlife, too.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Windy Point Vista, 930 Catalina Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Wait for sunset or just marvel at the beauty of the landscape below you.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hoodoo Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Hoodoos are strange, often otherworldly shapes caused by erosion of wind and rain. The drive has lots of them so they deserve their own pullout, don’t you think?
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: San Pedro Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Here you can hike to Barnam Rock and the further Leopold Point, catching great views of the San Pedro valley below.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Palisades Visitor Center, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Useful and informative visitor center with bathrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Aspen Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
This peaceful spot was recently ravaged by wildfires. You can view the mountains far across the valley amid charred trunks of trees.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Loma Linda Picnic Area, N General Hitchcock Forest Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Find a picnic table and enjoy a relaxing bite amid tall pines, with chirping birds and views of the San Pedro valley far, far below.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, 10300 E Ski Run Rd, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Visit here if you've got some spare time (and some spare skis)!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mt. Lemmon Community Center, 12949 N Sabino Canyon Park, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
What this tiny hamlet lacks in size, it makes up for in heart: Grab tasty fudge, enjoy a giant, freshly made cookie, have a sit-down dinner, or find a nice trail to hike. It’s all here in quiet Summerhaven.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Marshall Gulch Picnic Area, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Stop here to find a place to sit, eat, and enjoy nature.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Rose Canyon Lake, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Get in some good views and some good camping here.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Natural Arch, Pima County, AZ 85321, USA
This massive arch is surprisingly easy to miss as you zip up the highway, but it’s worth the brief stop, and certainly the biggest arch you’ll see on the tour, though there are a few small ones tucked here and there among the other hoodoos.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Geology Vista Point, General Hitchcock Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
This stop offers grand views of the valley and some interesting interpretive signs that detail how this vast area came to be.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bug Springs Trail, Catalina Hwy Mt Lemmon, Mount Lemmon, AZ
A fun hike for folks who want one last chance to get out of the car and onto a trail for a while.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, N Prison Camp Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
Get in some good camping! Open from October to April, and there are restrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Saguaro National Park Tour
Stop At: Red Hills Visitor Center, 2700 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743-9719
This visitor center is a wealth of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. There are also good restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theatre.
Entry to Saguaro National Park is $25 per vehicle.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Desert Discovery Nature Trail, Tucson, AZ 85743
An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and easy for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4 mile loop may have flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Valley View Overlook Trail, Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District, Tucson, AZ 85745
A 0.8 mile trail that leads to an impressive overlook above a large expanse of virgin Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
A placid picnic spot with vault toilets and nice desert views.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sendero Esperanza Trailhead, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA
This trail offers a stunning route to reach Mt. Wassen, the highest point of the TMD. Along the way one can see saguaros and other desert plants, as well as possibly wildlife as well, reptiles, birds, and possibly mammals, like jackrabbits and javalinas, or even mountain lions.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Signal Hill, Arizona 85743, USA
Stunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains behind.
Duration: 35 minutes
Stop At: Brown Mountain, Arizona 85735, USA
Nice 4 mile loop hike that summits Brown Mountain, a lower hill that's just outside Saguaro National Park.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gates Pass Scenic Lookout, 7799 W Gates Pass Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA
A stunning scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway
Stop At: Babad Do'ag Trailhead, Mt Lemmon Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
This lovely overlook gives a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, and the mountains beyond.
Entry to Mt. Lemmon is $8 per vehicle.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Molino Canyon Vista, General Hitchcock Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
A pretty canyon that makes for a nice view, especially pretty when there’s water down in the creekbed.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Molino Basin Trail Head, Arizona National Scenic Trail, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
Hike down along an often-dry river and look for ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Seven Cataracts, Arizona 85619, USA
Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak as well as view a rushing cascade of waterfalls on the opposite side of the ravine, though they are dry much of the year. Good spot to see wildlife, too.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Windy Point Vista, 930 Catalina Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Wait for sunset or just marvel at the beauty of the landscape below you.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hoodoo Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Hoodoos are strange, often otherworldly shapes caused by erosion of wind and rain. The drive has lots of them so they deserve their own pullout, don’t you think?
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: San Pedro Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Here you can hike to Barnam Rock and the further Leopold Point, catching great views of the San Pedro valley below.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Palisades Visitor Center, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Useful and informative visitor center with bathrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Aspen Vista, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
This peaceful spot was recently ravaged by wildfires. You can view the mountains far across the valley amid charred trunks of trees.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Loma Linda Picnic Area, N General Hitchcock Forest Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Find a picnic table and enjoy a relaxing bite amid tall pines, with chirping birds and views of the San Pedro valley far, far below.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, 10300 E Ski Run Rd, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Visit here if you've got some spare time (and some spare skis)!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mt. Lemmon Community Center, 12949 N Sabino Canyon Park, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
What this tiny hamlet lacks in size, it makes up for in heart: Grab tasty fudge, enjoy a giant, freshly made cookie, have a sit-down dinner, or find a nice trail to hike. It’s all here in quiet Summerhaven.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Marshall Gulch Picnic Area, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Stop here to find a place to sit, eat, and enjoy nature.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Rose Canyon Lake, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
Get in some good views and some good camping here.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Natural Arch, Pima County, AZ 85321, USA
This massive arch is surprisingly easy to miss as you zip up the highway, but it’s worth the brief stop, and certainly the biggest arch you’ll see on the tour, though there are a few small ones tucked here and there among the other hoodoos.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Geology Vista Point, General Hitchcock Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619, USA
This stop offers grand views of the valley and some interesting interpretive signs that detail how this vast area came to be.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bug Springs Trail, Catalina Hwy Mt Lemmon, Mount Lemmon, AZ
A fun hike for folks who want one last chance to get out of the car and onto a trail for a while.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, N Prison Camp Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA
Get in some good camping! Open from October to April, and there are restrooms.
Duration: 5 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This audio tour allows you to travel exclusively with your own group and in your own vehicle. There are no in-person tour guides or other customers riding along with you as the entire tour is coming from an app on your phone.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.