Tucson is ideally located for exploring southern Arizona and there are at least a dozen or more interesting towns, national parks and historic sites within a 90-minute drive of the city. I've seen many but there's still a lot for me to discover on my next visit. Arizona’s history of mineral mining means that you can spend a day or two exploring some of the regions historic mining towns like Tombstone, Bisbee and Globe.
The outstanding year-round weather in the Sonora Desert means unlimited opportunities for getting back to nature in wilderness areas like Patagonia Lake, Chiricahua National Monument and Saguaro National Park so if you are an outdoor enthusiast, you'll love it. Cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale offer great shopping, dining and cultural attractions if you prefer those.
Best Day Trips from Tucson:
1. Learn about the history of gold and copper rush in Bisbee - 1 hour and 45 minutes
Rating: ★★★★★
I found it fastinating that Bisbee, Arizona was once the site of a gold and copper “rush” when rich mineral deposits were discovered around 1877 in the Mule Mountains.
Soon the town of Bisbee became known as the “Queen of the Copper Camps”. For many years large quantities of gold, copper and silver were extracted. When you visit Bisbee today you can go on the popular Copper Queen Mine Tour, deep into the heart of the old mine.
Other historic attractions you can visit include the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, the Restoration Museum and Muheim Heritage House. There are several guided tours on offer that let you discover interesting attractions, shops, galleries and dining.
Distance from Tucson:
The drive to Bisbee usually takes you around 1 hour and 45 minutes.How to Get to Bisbee:
Take I-10 East toward Benson. Exit onto AZ-80 East toward Tombstone/Bisbee and follow it into downtown Bisbee. I liked that parking was available throughout town making Bisbee east to visit.2. Stop by the Kitt Peak National Observatory
My kid is really into science so I'm always on a lookout for observatories wherever we go. For a day trip with a difference you can head just 56 miles southwest of Tucson, where you will find the Kitt Peak National Observatory on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation.
You'll find that this working research facility is home to the largest array of radio and optical telescopes on the planet. The facility welcomes you to their Visitor Center Daytime Programs, which include guided and self-guided tours and exhibits and their Nightly Observing Program, when you can spend an exciting evening viewing the night sky and learning about astronomy.
The facility also offers a museum and gift shop. After your tour you can consider visiting the near-by Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85634, Phone: 502-318-8000
3. Go on the Under the Glass Tour at Biosphere 2 - 1 hour from Tucson
If you are into science, Biosphere 2 is a must on your list of day trips from Tucson. You will find Biosphere 2 located at the base of the Catalina Mountains, where it is situated on an elevated ridge surrounded by natural desert landscape.
Owned and operated by the University of Arizona, B2 is a unique research facility which offers a remarkable insight into the future of planet Earth.
The amazing Under the Glass Tour is offered several times daily between 10am and 4pm. Other specialty tours include the Family Tour, History Tour and the Ocean and Beach Tour, all of which are on offer every weekend.
Location:
Oracle, AZDistance from Tucson:
Expect the drive to take about 1 hour.How to Get to Biosphere 2:
From Tucson, take Oracle Road (AZ-77 North) for about 35 miles. Turn right on Biosphere Road and follow signs to the entrance and visitor parking.4. Enjoy a distinct Western vibe in Cave Creek - 2 hours and 30 minutes
For an Arizona day trip with a distinct Western vibe, Cave Creek perfectly fits the bill. My kid really enjoyed himself here so I recommend it if you are traveling with tweens. Located in the north-eastern part of the Greater Phoenix Area, Cave Creek is both quirky and cool.
Here you can find motorcyclists and cowboys sharing the main road, which is lined with animal-feed stores alongside up-market interior shops, boutiques and saloons.
You can learn about the early days of Cave Creek at the Cave Creek Museum or enjoy the lively bull-riding and two-stepping at one of the town’s saloons.
If you fancy some outdoor recreations you can go hiking at Spur Cross or go horseback riding at one of several riding stables.
Location:
Cave Creek, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.How to Get to Cave Creek:
From Tucson, take I-10 West to Loop 101 North in Phoenix. Exit at Cave Creek Road and head north for about 15 miles to reach the town center.5. Go hiking in Chiricahua National Monument - 2 hours and 15 minutes
If you are willing to drive the extra mile (37 miles off State Highway 186, to be exact), you will be rewarded by an unexpectedly good day out in Chiricahua National Monument.
Here, surrounded by an other-worldly landscape of towering stone pinnacles and balancing rocks, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including wildlife watching, walking, hiking, horse-back riding and camping.
If you prefer to take it all in from the comfort of your car or RV you can take a scenic drive through the monument.
There are hiking trails to suit all levels of fitness, and a complimentary shuttle runs from the Visitor’s Center (September to May) to the two major trailheads. Ranger-guided tours are available and I highly recommend them if you are new to the area so that you can stay safe.
Location:
Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, plus 37 miles off State Highway 186.How to Get to Chiricahua National Monument:
Head east on I-10 toward Willcox. Take Exit 336, continue south on AZ-186 for about 37 miles, then turn onto Bonita Canyon Drive to reach the monument entrance.Romantic Day Trips from Tucson:
6. Go on a guided trail ride at Colossal Cave Mountain Park
The Colossal Cave Mountain Park is conveniently located around 40 minutes from Tucson, where it provides an ideal day-trip or overnight adventure for all ages.
Although the Colossal Cave is the main draw-card, the park also offers well-maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse-back riding as well as guided trail rides and a petting zoo at the La Posta Quemada Ranch.
There is a choice of guided cave tours available; the Classic Cave Tour takes around 50 – 60 minutes and is suitable for most visitors who can manage some steps.
The Ladder Cave Tour is for more adventurous cave explorers and the Wild Cave Tour is strictly for dare-devils. You can also go on a Toddler Time Tour if you have a small child.
Location:
Vail, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive takes approximately 40 minutes.How to Get to Colossal Cave Mountain Park:
Take I-10 East to Exit 279. Turn left onto S Wentworth Rd, then right on Old Spanish Trail and follow signs to the park entrance.7. See the dramatic landscape of Dragoon - 1 hour and 15 minutes
The sleepy little town of Dragoon is located off Interstate 10, roughly 17 miles northeast of Benson.
Although this is a very small town it has the distinction of occupying the dramatic landscape of the Texas Canyon, where rocky crags and buttes hide ancient petrogylphs and pictographs.
The area offers hikers a network of interesting and very scenic trails including the Cochise Indian Trail, which also offers exceptional bird watching.
No visit to Dragoon could be considered complete without spending some time in the unique Amerind Museum which showcases an impressive collection of American Indian art and artifacts. Before you leave Dragoon you can visit the Golden Rule Vineyards for a tour and tasting.
Location:
Dragoon, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive to Dragoon takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.How to Get to Dragoon:
From Tucson, take I-10 East for about 70 miles. Exit near Texas Canyon, then follow signs toward Dragoon and the Amerind Museum.Family Day Trips from Tucson:
8. Step back in time at Fort Bowie National Historic Site - 2 hours
Fort Bowie is located 113 miles east of Tucson, where it marks the spot where 25 years of conflict occurred between the Chiricahua Apache and the US Army in the late 1800’s.
To view the remains of the fort and the Visitor’s Center you will need to complete a three-mile out-and-back hike from the parking area at the trailhead on Apache Pass Road. En-route to the Visitor’s Center you will pass the original Apache Spring, the remains of a stage coach station and the Fort Bowie Cemetery.
Once you reach the Visitor’s Center you can view the small museum and the ruins of the original old fort. There are picnic sites at the Visitor’s Center and the trailhead. We stopped for a picnic and it was great. Just remember to packs some snacks! The Visitor’s Center offers various seasonal ranger programs.
Location:
Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Bowie, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive to Fort Bowie takes about 2 hours.How to Get to Fort Bowie:
From Tucson, take I-10 East to Bowie. Follow Apache Pass Road (watch for signage) to the trailhead. The site is only accessible by foot. It's a 1.5-mile hike each way.9. Learn about history of mining in Globe
The city of Globe is located 103 miles north of Tucson in Gila County, where it offers day trippers an interesting and picturesque destination.
The town was established as a mining community in the 1870’s and much of the historic downtown still offers the old mining-town atmosphere - you can join an historic tour or explore at your own pace.
Be sure to visit the Gila County Historical Museum and the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. To get a broad overview of the landscape you can take a scenic drive through the Salt River Canyon and admire the views from the viewpoint.
At the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park you can see some old mining equipment, while Round Mountain Park offers scenic hiking trails.
Location:
Globe, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive to Globe takes about 2 hours.How to Get to Globe:
Take AZ-77 North from Tucson through Oracle to Globe, or take US-70 East through Safford for a more scenic drive. Both routes connect easily with the town center.10. Go on an amazing tour in Kartchner Caverns State Park - 50 minutes
For an exhilarating day out you just need to head south east along Interstate 10 for about 50 minutes to reach the remarkable Kartchner Caverns State Park.
This day trip is an exciting adventure for just about anyone and even visitors with wheelchairs can enjoy access to most of the stunning caverns.
The Rotunda and Throne Room Tour is the most popular – be sure to book ahead to avoid long queues. Other available tours include the Big Room Tour, the Headlamp Tour (these two are not suitable for children less than seven years old), the Saturday Sign-Language Tour and the exclusive Photo Tour.
After you have toured the caverns you can enjoy hiking, walking and wildlife viewing in the park.
Location:
Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, AZDistance from Tucson:
The drive takes approximately 50 minutes via Interstate 10.How to Get to Kartchner Caverns State Park:
From Tucson, take I-10 East to Exit 302. Follow AZ-90 South for about 9 miles—the park entrance is clearly marked on the right.Plan Your Trip