Maiden Pools
Tucson, Arizona
| Address: | 6532 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA |
| GPS: |
32°20'31.4"N 110°51'21.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.0-1.2 mi |
Rivers Rocks
Hike, Rock Climb, and Swim
Over the course of time, the Ventana Stream has exposed the canyon’s base granite, and then smoothed and formed into a series of small pools -- now called the Maiden Pools. With the sounds of trickling water, and the beauty of the desert scenery, this a great spot to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the setting.
To reach Maiden Pools, one can hike up Ventana Canyon trail 2.4 miles. The trail crosses a creek bed several times as it traverses the narrow canyon bottom. The pools can be found on the other side of a steep hill, and will fill after rainfall and snowmelt, making late winter and spring the best time to visit. Alongside the pools are large rocks where one can relax, maybe enjoy a picnic. Some of the pools have oak trees providing both beauty and shade.
Climbing along the rocks will allow access to Ventana Falls, or other pools along the river.
Though the hike is free, there is a $7 park entrance fee. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and keep an eye on the weather to avoid either the extreme summer heat or the risk of flash floods.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Tucson, Arizona
- Head west on E Broadway Blvd toward S Country Club Rd (39 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto N Country Club Rd (1.0 mi)
- Turn right onto E Speedway Blvd (3.0 mi)
- Turn left onto N Craycroft Rd (3.6 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on N Craycroft Rd (3.8 mi)
- Turn left onto N Canyon Crest DrRestricted usage road(0.9 mi)
Trails
Distance ?
1.0 milesElevation Gain ?
258 feetReal Ascent ?
405 feetReal Descent ?
147 feetAvg Grade (3°)
5%Grade (-23° to 24°)
-42% to 46%Distance ?
1.2 milesElevation Gain ?
346 feetReal Ascent ?
399 feetReal Descent ?
53 feetAvg Grade (3°)
5%Grade (-17° to 13°)
-30% to 22%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Rock Climbing Walls, Swimming Holes, and Hiking Trails Nearby
Hutch's Pool
Tucson, Arizona
2.9 miles SEHutch's Pool is a popular destination near Tucson, Arizona. Famed for its cool water in the desert heat, the pool is an 8-mile hike round trip into the canyons and mountains of Sabino Canyon...
Hike, Swim 2.7-3.5 mi
Seven Falls
Tucson, Arizona
3.0 miles SESeven Falls is a waterfall located in the Sabino Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. It's a great hike and a fun swimming hole, and listed often as one of the best or most popular activities of the...
Hike, Swim 2.8-3.5 mi
Romero Pools
Tucson, Arizona
6.5 miles NWNestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. The pools are accessible by a hike through Romero Canyon that takes an average of two hours. The hike gets...
Hike, Swim 1.9 mi
Montrose Pool
Tucson, Arizona
6.5 miles NWMontrose Pool is a seasonal catchment accessable through the Romero Canyon trail in Catalina State Park, Arizona. The pool fills up after rain, but is often dry. The trailhead is the same...
Hike, Swim
Seven Cataracts
Tucson, Arizona
7.7 miles ESeven Cataracts is a set of waterfalls located within Willow Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. The best way to reach the pools at the bottom involve some canyoneering to maneuver down the rocks along the...
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 2.4 mi
Sycamore Reservoir
Tucson, Arizona
7.8 miles ESycamore Reservoir is a small lake up in Bear Canyon on Mount Lemmon that was originally a water source for an abandoned prison camp. Nowadays, the lake is great for recreation, complete with a...
Hike, Swim 1.1 mi
La Milagrosa Canyon
Tucson, Arizona
7.9 miles ELa Milagrosa Canyon is a hidden gem just east of Tucson, Arizona and north of the Tanque Verde area. It features many rock-climbing walls, and even a seasonal waterfall with pools for swimming, best...
Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, Swim 3.6 mi
Lemmon Pools
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
8.3 miles NEHidden among the trees and boulders of Mount Lemmon lies Lemmon Pools, a swimming hole near the Santa Catalina Mountains and Mount Lemmon itself. It's about 8.5 miles round trip to the pools and...
Hike, Swim
Cactus Forest Trail
Tucson, Arizona
12.6 miles SEPart of the approximately 10-mile Cactus Forest Trail runs through Saguaro National Park East and provides a nice landscape introduction for newcomers to the desert. A 2.5 mile dirt trail that...
Hike, Mountain Bike 0.9 mi
Tanque Verde Falls
Tucson, Arizona
12.7 miles SETanque Verde Falls are a set of waterfalls and pools inside of Tanque Verde Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. The canyon is located within Coronado National Forest. There is a parking area on the...
Hike, Swim 4.4 mi
Chiva Falls
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
13.7 miles EChiva Falls is a waterfall nestled within Coronado National Forest. The path to get there is quite rocky, proving a favorite for mountain biking and motorized vehicles, although hiking is also...
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.5-9.3 mi
Frog's Hollow
Vail, Arizona
16.6 miles EFrog's Hollow is a little-known swimming hole located along the Arizona Trail in the Upper Tanque Verde Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. It is found by hiking or mountain biking along the Arizona or...
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
