madera canyon

sweetatr

The Forest Service is doing a great job managing the canyon along with the friends group. Lots of parking and a nominal fee to enjoy a daytime of hiking and picniking.

sjmacd60020

Took a 5-mile circuit starting up Old Baldy Trail and returning on Super Trail. Old Baldy is quite steep, so a good workout. Super Trail is more gradual. The trail is quite wooded and shady, which helped keep us from overheating.

springhollow5

numerous trails allow for different levels of activity. parking was very difficult and it wasn't the busy season . get there early or later in the day. I would consider taking taking the tram and hike down if you have the ability to take the hike.

merionvw

We had been recommended and given the drive (quite a way from the interstate) from tucson were really disappointed. The scenery is really not very scenic and the trails a bit boring as they mostly are hidden in the trees. Lots of camping and human settlement. Sabino canyon in tucson is more scenic and unspoilt. Not worth the trip

Qcdriver1

Great park, several trails from easy to very difficult, bring a picnic lunch great place for just hanging out, kids love to play in the rocks

time_explorer

We went on a chilly day and boy it was cold on the trail. It's different scenery to what we had seen elsewhere in the Sonoran region - more green and more trees. We hiked the Nature Trail on the day - nice moderate hike. We also did the Aqua Caliente to Josephine Saddle trail which was very hard! The Old Baldy to the Super Trail is nice too.

PattiM453

Great vistas. Good hiking. Pretty area. We didn't stay too long as it was chilly, but beautiful! Will go back in the summer try it again.

60386Carol

Our visit here was wonderful. The hiking is great but don't expect to walk among the Saguaros. This are is lush, and full of life. Whether deer or a multitude of birds. This was our first trip here - but it won't be our last. Hikes of all levels found here. There are a few cabins or B&Bs to stay right in the canyon......maybe another trip will have us spend the evening in one of them. Did I mention the birds? The birding season was just getting underway - and we saw and heard a wide range of birds throughout our hike to Bog Spring. Nice drive into the park as well.

GusandTerry

If you are looking for a desert hike you need to look some place else. After reading some of the other reviews I was concerned that there was nothing for the intermediate hike. Simply not true. Hiked to Josephine Saddle reaching it along the Super Trail. The grade was excellent. Returned the alternate route. Also hiked to a Box Springs. Hike on well maintained trails. Hope to go back and give Mt Wrightson a try. Can be cool along some of the trails as you are in the shade. Might be exactly what you are looking for.

wellsjm

This area is nice for camping. It is great for birdwatchers. Bring your camera. nice to drive through.

robertsX2001HX

Nice drive from Green Valley, gaining elevation. Good to see the foliage change. There was roadwork, causing us to turn around. Unable to have picture taking opportunities. We are not hikers., so it was a wasted trip for us.

PIFFKA

There is some great bird-watching in the canyon... the trails are a little rougher than you'd find in a National Park, but will get you where you want to go. Great picnic spot. Right now there's some roadwork going on so you might want either an SUV or just don't go all the way to the end of the road. There are three B&B's/inns in the canyon which look like they'd be great to stay at.

620ChrisL

Nicely maintained trails with good maps along the way. Beautiful view of the valley below. We did a six mile loop that was a good workout. Thankfully it's about 10 degrees cooler in the mountains. Bring water and a jacket.

J3505NHdavem

Great quiet campgrounds, stunning scenery and great day hikes. And all within an hour of Tucson. I'm not a birder but it is a world class birder destination, or so I am told

cbv1956

we arrived at the canyon around 4 pm and the sun was already behind the mountain so we didn't hike very far. want to come back early in the day to do alot of hiking in the area. it was beautiful.