Hikers in Tucson are present with gorgeous views of the towering canyons. alluring trails surrounded by the local cacti, remarkable views of raging rivers, and stunning views on top of rugged peaks of the surrounding valley. Having so many trails to choose from and many great hiking areas means there is a large amount of hiking interest in the Tucson area. With so much interest there are many hiking groups that have been formed for you to check out.
Here is a list of the top 8 Tucson hiking groups. Each group provides its members with unique hiking experiences, goals, and energy towards hiking. Use this list as a launching point to meet local hiking groups. You will definitely be able to meet other like-minded hikers and enjoy the local Tucson hiking trails!
- The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group – 13,930+ members
- Baja Arizona Hikers – 2,585+ members
- Hiking Tucson – 900+members
- Tucson Tails and Trails: Dog Friendly Hiking – 750+ members
- Tucson Yoga Hiking Meetup Group – 440+ members
- Sonoran Good Karma Hiking Club – 430+ members
- Tucson 20s and 30s Outdoor Adventures – 420+ members
- Trails Hiking 50+ Meetup Group – 75+ members
The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/
Description: The Tucson Hiking Meetup Group is a group for hikes of variable length and ability. They do a mix of beginner hikes and advanced hikes. They have hosted over 3,450+ events in the past with multiple events each week.
Baja Arizona Hikers
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Baja-Arizona-Hikers/
Description: Baja Arizona Hikers is for fit, strong, and adventurous hikers. They like to focus on hiking, fitness, and friendships. They have organized over 1,300+ events in the past and typically have two or three events a month.
Hiking Tucson
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Tucson/
Description: Hiking Tucson is for those interested in hiking and exploring the Tucson area mountains and desert. This group is for hikers of all skill levels but they generally do hikes between four to eight miles.They have organized over 60+ events in the past and typically have one or two events a month.
Tucson Tails and Trails: Dog Friendly Hiking
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/tailsandtrails/
Description: Tucson Tails and Trails: Dog Friendly Hiking is for people interested in dog friendly hikes in Southern Arizona. Most of their hikes are moderate and best suited for intermediate hikers. They occasionally will have beginner friendly hikes and even more strenuous hikes for more experienced hikers. They have hosted over 160+ events in the past and typically have one event each month.
Tucson Yoga Hiking Meetup Group
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/tucson-yoga-hiking-meetup-group/
Description: Tucson Yoga Hiking Meetup Group is for those that love adventure, hiking, connecting with nature, and yoga. This group has hosted over 25+ events in the past with one event each week.
Sonoran Good Karma Hiking Club
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Sonoran-Good-Karma-Hiking-Club/
Description: Sonoran Good Karma Hiking Club is for anyone who wants to hike, have fun, exercise, and make friends in the great outdoors. This group has organized over 130+ events in the past and typically has one event every few months.
Tucson 20s and 30s Outdoor Adventures
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Tucson-20s-and-30s-Outdoor-Adventures/
Description: Tucson 20s and 30s Outdoor Adventures is for young professional outdoor enthusiasts who want to hike, canyoneer, climb, camp, and other outdoor activities. This group does events for all skill levels from beginners to more advanced. This group has hosted over 25+ events in the past with typically two or three events each month.
Trails Hiking 50+ Meetup Group
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Tucson, AZ
Link: https://www.meetup.com/trails-hiking-50-meetup-group/
Description: Trails Hiking 50+ Meetup Group is for those 50 and older who want to go hiking. They cater their hikes for beginners to moderate level hikers with hikes that range in two to six miles in length. They have hosted over 50+ events in the past with around one event each month.
Why should you join a Tucson hiking group?
Build a Routine
Before you check out local Tucson hiking groups there are many benefits you should know about. The first benefit hiking groups provide is to help you build a hiking routine. The hiking events are all researched and picked for you, so all you need to do is just show up. There are groups that meet at the same time and location each week, which makes it convenient to stay consistent with hiking. There are groups that meet only on weekdays and others on weekends. With so much flexibility these hiking groups can help you establish a solid hiking routine.
Challenge Yourself
The next benefit of joining a hiking group is the ability to get out of your hiking comfort zone and challenge yourself. You can join groups that hike longer hikes or more strenuous hikes. If you are looking to expand into camping or backpacking you can gain valuable experience on guided trips by the local hiking groups. There you can learn from others about gear and valuable hiking tips. You can definitely find hiking events that push you to the limit!
Explore New Areas
Another awesome benefit of joining a Tucson hiking group is the ability to explore new areas that you might have skipped over or missed out on. Since the hiking trips are researched and organized by other hikers you can find hidden local gems! You can also join groups that do out-of-town trips so you can expand your hiking area. This is a great way to hike and discover new hiking areas!
3 things to consider when joining a Tucson hiking group
Experience Needed
If you want to dive headfirst into a hiking group, there are three things you should consider before you join. The first thing you want to look at is the experience level required for each group. Some groups expect you to be more intermediate and hike at a certain pace while there are others that will be more beginner-friendly. Find a group that currently aligns with your experience level, that way you can enjoy yourself and not have to feel like you need to catch up or slow down too much.
Group Goals
Another key consideration before joining a Tucson hiking group is to find out what the goals of the group are for its members. Some groups will have goals on rest and relaxation, while others will have goals to tackle the most strenuous summits. Read the group’s description and ask the organizers what they expect out of their members. This will help you find a group that has goals that align with yours.
Education
The third key thing to consider before you join a group is if the group offers any kind of formal education in the form of workshops. If you are looking to learn more about hiking gear, camping, backpacking, or maybe even navigation then you can find a local group that offers formal workshops. This will help you build your outdoor skills tremendously.
Summary
As a hiker in Tucson you will encounter serene views of the local desert trails, dramatic views of the rugged canyons, breathtaking panoramic on top of the most challenging peaks, and so much more. All of these wonderful views and hiking trails are great, but they are even better when shared. Joining some of these local hiking groups will present you with all of these great sights and experiences.
This list of hiking groups in Tucson is just a starting point. As your experience as a hiker grows and your goals evolve over time, be sure to check out the other hiking groups that align with your new interests and goals. Enjoy all of your hiking adventures and outdoor trips with these amazing Tucson hiking groups!