11 Best Mountain Bike Trails in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona may not be as well-known to mountain bikers as some other trail networks in Arizona (like Sedona and Phoenix), but this southern city has its fair share of great mountain bike trails.

From flowy desert singletrack through forests of saguaro to surprisingly technical tracks that will test the skills of even the most advanced riders, Tucson offers singletrack fun for everyone.

I’ve explored the mountain bike trails in Tucson a handful of times now, and I have my go-to routes and favorite trails. In this post, I share (what I consider to be) the best mountain bike trails in Tucson.

Map of the best mountain bike trails in Tucson

Best Beginner Trails

Fantasy Island

Fantasy Island is the ultimate cross-country desert singletrack trail network in Tucson. All of the trails are mostly smooth, buff, and fast with little to no trail obstacles aside from some whoops and, of course, trailside cacti.

If you’re a newer mountain biker or you’re heading out with the kids, the Fantasy Island trails are a great place to start. It’s also one of the very few places in Tucson where e-bikes are legal.

Most of the trails at Fantasy Island are directional, so be sure to read the trail signs.

Desperado

Desperado is located in the Sweetwater Preserve trail network on the west side of Tucson. It’s a fast and flowy desert singletrack trail if you ride it counterclockwise, otherwise it’s a mellow climb (I prefer it as a descent 🙂

There is nothing technical on this trail, but there are some fun rollers and swoopy corners where you can play. It’s also stunning! With views of the Catalina mountains out front and lined with a variety of desert vegetation, Desperado is a must-ride when you’re at Sweetwater.

Little Cat

Little Cat is one of the best mountain bike trails in Tucson because it’s kinda different than anything else around it in Tucson Mountain Park. It’s got short sections of slickrock and a more exposed, rocky feel than other trails around it. It must have something to do with the mountain that the trail is carved into.

Little Cat can be ridden in either direction and still be good – I rode ‘up’ it, but it’s not that big of a climb. It would be a great ‘descent’, too.

Lozen Loop

Cross-country enthusiasts rejoice! You’ll love the Lozen Loop. (On the other hand, if featureless, smooth, fast-rolling trails aren’t your thing, definitely skip this one…)

The Lozen Loop is a 6.8-mile directional loop out at McKenzie Ranch to the east of Tucson. It’s part of a race course that attracts lycra-clad mountain bikers on weekends throughout the year.

While I enjoyed Lozen Loop for what it is, it will not be for everyone. Only check this one off if you’re a true beginner, you enjoy very xc trails, or you’re taking the kids out on a ride. You can also combine it with the Daheste Loop for 3 more miles of cross-country goodness.

Best Intermediate Trails

Shemwell (aka Mockingbird)

Shemwell Trail is one of my favorites in Tucson. It’s relatively short (1.5 miles), but it packs a lot in. From swoopy (unbermed…) corners to some moderate techy rock punches and rolls, it’s a good mix of everything.

Shemwell can be ridden in either direction, but I actually prefer it as a climb (shocking, I know). The grade isn’t overly steep and I like the little technical sections. Of course, it can be ridden as a downhill, which is fun as well!

The recommended route above has you climbing Shemwell. If you want to descend it, here is a ride I did that I didn’t particularly enjoy.

Wild Burro to Ridgeline

Wild Burro and Ridgeline Trail blew me away. This area is absolutely beautiful and I rode it in the spring when all the wildflowers were blooming, making it even more magical.

Wild Burro is a meandering trail that has enough features and twists and turns to keep it interesting. Ridgeline Trail is exactly what it sounds like – a trail that traverses a ridgeline with great views down onto Tucson.

HOWEVER, the main thing to note about these trails is that the are accessed by a brutal hike-a-bike up Alamo Springs Spur. It’ll be 15-20 minutes of not fun. BUT, the rest of the loop is worth it. If you want to make your ride shorter and easier, take the hike-a-bike back down instead of descending Wild Mustang.

Alternative entrance: There is a fire road that accesses Wild Burro and Ridgeline from Honeybee Ranch on the other side. I have not ridden this road, but a friend has done it and said that the hike-a-bike is the better option, so….

The Chutes

The Chutes is a super fun trail in Catalina State Park that makes you feel like you’re riding a luge course. It’s like a rollercoaster for bikes! While The Chutes is short (it’s a little over a mile), the grin-factor makes it worth adding it on to your 50-Year Trail ride.

If you don’t plan on riding the more technical trails at Catalina, do two laps on The Chutes – guaranteed the second lap will be even more fun now that you know what to expect!

Sarasota

Sarasota is a beautiful trail in Tucson Mountain Park that traverses through a canyon with tons of saguaro cacti (sorry about the lack of photo, I forgot my phone…)

Sarasota can be ridden in either direction, but I think riding it south to north offers the most fun with a gradual descent and a surprising amount of flow for Tucson.

AZT – Colossal Cave

The AZT – or Arizona Trail – spans the length of Arizona and passes to the east of Tucson. I’ve ridden several sections of it (including on my bikepacking trip around The Queen’s Ransom) and while sections of the AZT are great, many sections are not so fun….

The 5.6-mile Colossal Cave stretch is one of the fun and beautiful sections that is definitely worth riding. The trail passes through a narrow canyon and has a good amount of technical rock gardens that will keep you on your toes.

If you have time after your ride, you can check out Colossal Cave. I have been, but it looks cool!

Best Expert Trails

Upper 50-Year Trail

Ask any mountain biker in Arizona and they will agree that 50-Year Trail is one of the best mountain bike trails in Tucson.

It’s very different from the flat (or mostly flat) desert singletrack found a the other trail networks around the city. Instead, the Upper 50-Year Trail features very steep (but short) climbs, rock boulder rollers, big drops, and tons of alt-lines to practice your slow-speed skills.

It’s one of my favorite trails in Tucson, but do be aware of what you’re getting into. It’s a technical trail with plenty of opportunities to hurt yourself.

Bug Springs

Bug Springs is one of the most popular and iconic mountain bike trails in Tucson. It’s part of the longer (and much more challenging) Full Lemmon Drop route, but it’s still pretty technical in its own right.

Descending down the foothills of Mount Lemmon, Bug Springs features an array of terrain from a grunt of a climb at the start to some tricky rock gardens and then finally, a stretch of amazing, flowy singletrack. Connect it into Molino Basin for a great finish.

The thing about Bug Springs, though, is that it’s best shuttled. You can ride up the road, but… that’s never fun. If you don’t have your own shuttle, Home Grown offers mountain bike shuttles in Tucson.

Also – the route above has you going down La Milagrosa at the end. This is a very technical trail with a questionable fun factor. If you don’t want to do La Milagrosa, stop your ride at the Molina Campground.

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What are your top picks for the best mountain bike trails in Tucson? Which ones did I miss and which ones do you want to ride? Leave a comment below!