The Douglas Spring Trail is a pretty easy hike with a lovely waterfall view. It is about 6 miles round trip with only a 1000 ft elevation gain. It is a great day hike to take from our Arizona Bed & Breakfast.  One can make it to Bridal Wreath Falls in just tennis shoes, the trail is well maintained. However hiking boots will enable you to continue farther up the trail.

The trail doesn’t end at Bridal Wreath Falls, but it is a common end point. It can be a nice place to bring some sandwiches for lunch, or just bring a book to enjoy the quiet desert beauty. The scenery is classic Sonoran Desert Scrub and the further you trek, the more you get. For beginners, the reward of the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike is about you will need. I recommend this hike for those that are “not outdoorsy”. The whole family, from toddlers to elderly, can enjoy this trek on a regular basis. There are not many steep hills and lots of hikers to keep you company.

The trail is about 4 miles from Alta Vista Arizona Bed and Breakfast.

The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is one of the most popluar outdoor sites in the Tucson area. About 13 miles from our Arizona Bed & Breakfast, there are a variety of trails are available in Sabino Canyon for hiking that range from easy to challenging. The main road, one of two routes on which Sabino Canyon Tours operates a tram, is mostly flat and paved. It can be easily navigated by visitors of all ages. The main road ascends from 2,800 to 3,300 feet and crosses Sabino Creek over 9 stone bridges. It is a favorite route for both hikers and bicyclists.

If you lack energy or footwear, hop on the tram up the Canyon. On foot or in the tram, you will be delighted by lovely scenery. Here are some of of the beautiful trailheads that start at Sabino Canyon:

Blackett’s Ridge Trail
This trail has several steep switch-backs while hiking up but levels out more toward the top, which provides some breathtaking views.

Telephone Line Trail
This hike overlooks Sabino Creek. This has been a wonder lately; the Cottonwoods along the creek bed are a brilliant rainbow of fall colors.

Hutch’s Pools
This location is popular when the Creek contains water. The hike is best taken by intermediate or advanced hikers, as it takes a good six to eight hours to complete. You can reach the trailhead by taking the tram up to Stop #9.

After a great day in mother nature, come back to our Arizona Bed and Breakfast for a nice warm fire and comfortable bed.

The Sonoran Desert Museum is a botanical garden, zoo and natural history museum all in one. Their goal is to inspire people to live in harmony with the life of the Sonoran Desert. The museum is on the other side of the Saguaro National Park from our Arizona B&B. It is an easy and enjoyable drive across the park, about 15 miles, and the museum is not to miss.

The animals there are in distinctly realistic housing, and that is all part of their goal, to re-create real environments for study. So the visitor finds themselves in close contact with mountain lions, huge gila monster lizards and more. There are over 300 species of animal and 1200 plants. There are 2 miles of paths through 21 acres of desert landscape.

Events happening at the Sonoran Desert museum include “Running Wild” and “Live and on the Loose”. “Running Wild” is an “innovative live-animal demonstration that combines natural behaviors of small desert mammals, birds and reptiles with projected images, music and narration. In its inaugural year, the program will focus on fur, feathers and scales.” The presentation is daily except Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Warden Oasis Theater at 11 a.m.

“Live and on the Loose” is a live animal presentation that changes regularly. It is also at the Warden Oasis Theater at 12:15 pm and lasts for an hour. These could be great activities for after breakfast at our Arizona Bed and Breakfast.

If Geology is your thing, the museum has an extensive Sonoran Desert region gem, mineral, and fossil collection totaling 14,095 cataloged specimens, some of which are on display at the Earth Sciences Center. They also have a new vertebrate paleontology collection contains the first and only significant dinosaur skeleton from Southern Arizona.

Another example of a great way to explore the desert around our Arizona Bed & Breakfast.