On a typical weekend afternoon, foot traffic ranges from runners and fast-moving hikers to casual amblers and moms pushing kids in strollers. Some go the whole distance, for a round-trip total of 7.6 miles. Others trek a mile or two up the road and then return to the starting point. Roadside attractions include sheer, colorful rock walls towering hundreds of feet above the canyon and prickly stands of saguaro cacti and other desert vegetation. The creek runs at a trickle or full flush, depending on weather conditions.
Many walkers spot wildlife.
The canyon is home to everything from roadrunners to deer. Plenty of good picnic spots await you along the way. And when the weather gets warm, pools in Sabino Creek offer an opportunity for a cooling dip during rest breaks. Take Tanque Verde Road east to Sabino Canyon Road and follow Sabino Canyon Road to the visitors center and parking lot. Sunrise and sunset hikes can be a little chilly, but the light usually is at its best at those times.