Tanque Verde Falls
Tucson, Arizona
| Address: | 14911 Redington Rd, Tucson, AZ 85748, USA |
| GPS: |
32°15'14.4"N 110°39'54.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trail Length: | 1.60 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.9 mi |
Rivers
Hike and Swim
Tanque 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 side of the road, near a trailhead. From there, it's a short hike to the water. An optional trail leads directly to the falls themselves, although this portion is a slightly more difficult climb due to boulders and such along the path. Due to the short hike distance, this is a popular location to cool off.
The best time to go is from September through May, avoiding the summer heat.
This area is considered the "most dangerous" waterfall hike in Arizona, as there have been around 30 deaths since 1971 due to flash flooding and cliff jumping. The area is at high risk for flash floods during monsoon season, and the water level varies, so be very cautious. Pay attention to local weather conditions, stay away from slippery rocks, and don't jump if you're unsure of how deep the pool is.
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 (4.0 mi)
- Turn left onto N Wilmot Rd (0.5 mi)
- Continue onto E Tanque Verde Rd (1.7 mi)
- Keep left to stay on E Tanque Verde Rd (6.8 mi)
- Continue onto E Redington Rd (3.7 mi)
Take Redington Road into Coronado National Forest until you reach the trailhead. The forest boundary is marked by a sign, and a cattle guard that stretches between the paved portion of the road and the gravel path that extends within the park.
Trails
Distance ?
0.9 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
-302 feetReal Ascent ?
28 feetReal Descent ?
330 feetAvg Grade (-7°)
-13%Grade (-25° to 20°)
-46% to 36%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Chiva Falls
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
2.7 miles NEChiva 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 1.1 mi
La Milagrosa Canyon
Tucson, Arizona
4.9 miles NWLa 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
Cactus Forest Trail
Tucson, Arizona
5.0 miles SWPart 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 0.5-9.3 mi
Frog's Hollow
Vail, Arizona
6.4 miles NEFrog'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 2.4 mi
Sycamore Reservoir
Tucson, Arizona
6.6 miles NWSycamore 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
Seven Cataracts
Tucson, Arizona
8.3 miles NWSeven 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 1.0-7.5 mi
Hutch's Pool
Tucson, Arizona
10.0 miles NWHutch'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
10.0 miles NWSeven 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 1.0-1.2 mi
Maiden Pools
Tucson, Arizona
12.7 miles NWOver 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...
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 3.6 mi
Lemmon Pools
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
13.1 miles NWHidden 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 2.8-3.5 mi
Romero Pools
Tucson, Arizona
18.5 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
18.5 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
