Sky Island Scenic Byway

Coronado State Park's Agua Caliente Hill Path #46 is a 9.25-mile (round-trip) moderately difficult trail (lots of climbing). This trail is too hot to hike in the summer, but it's ideal for a cold day. The route provides stunning views of the city. Although there is water at Cat Track Tank (1.6 miles), it is advised to bring plenty for you and your dog.

The Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Regional Park is a one-of-a-kind 101-acre park with a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Picnic in the shade of mature palm trees and native mesquite trees or stroll the network of accessible paved and gravel trails with interpretive signage explaining the geology and history of the warm spring and the natural and human history of the place.

A separate area for little dogs, drinking water, shade trees, and picnic tables are available at McDonald District Park's off-leash dog park. A playground, horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, softball, baseball, and soccer fields, walking routes, and restrooms are also available at the park.

In some places of Saguaro National Park, leashed dogs are permitted. The city of Tucson divides Saguaro into two districts. Dogs are not allowed on trails, off-road, or inside visitors centers, according to the park's website. "Pets are allowed only on roadways, picnic spots (excluding Mam-A-Gah picnic area in the Tucson Mountain District-west), and paved trails (Desert Ecology Trail & Desert Discovery Trail)." Dog owners should keep their pets on a six-foot leash and keep an eye out for cactus spines, prickly bushes, snakes, exposed mine shafts, scorpions, and heat stroke. Visitors can find information on dog hikes in each region of the park, as well as step-by-step directions to both districts, on the Saguaro National Park website.The hours of operation in Saguaro National Park vary based on the season and section, so visitors should check the park's website before planning their visit. The cost of a weekly pass is $25 per vehicle.

A big, designated off-leash dog park at Morris K. Udall Park Park offers separate areas for large and small dogs, both of which are fully gated. The park also offers a lighted section as well as drinking stations for both humans and dogs.

This enclosed dog park with doggy water fountains, picnic tables, and a waste station will thank you for allowing your dog to play off-leash. There are separate gated spaces for little and large dogs in this 38,000 square foot gravel-surfaced park; there is no turf.