Our naturalists offer you many ways to enjoy the canyon’s beauty.
Through our Public Interpretation program of walks, hikes, and demonstrations, SCVN helps visitors learn about and experience the wonders of Sabino Canyon, the Santa Catalina Mountains, and the Sonoran Desert. Check our calendar and listings for currently scheduled events.
We provide lizard walks complete with binoculars and Lizard Guide, Summer Storytime for the under-8 crowd, wildflower hikes on Mt. Lemmon, on-site demonstrations, and discussions of local flora and fauna. We also offer field activities, such as panning for garnets in Sabino Creek, which are fun for children and adults alike.
Click the button below, if you would like to request a guided nature walk, talk, or demo, or if your organization is sponsoring an event in the greater Tucson area that’s focused on our canyon or desert.
You may follow guided tours (created by our fellow naturalists Bill Kaufman & Judi Pelster) through downloadable phone or tablet apps, or you can access the tours on any Web browser:
- Download and install an app.
- Choose Santa Catalina Ranger District, then click on “What do you want to do?”, followed by “Hike”, then “Sabino Canyon”, and then “Tours”.
- Start with the Visitor Center and move forward with photos and narrative.
- The guided tour is a 2.5 mile walk to the riparian area, and is loaded with photos and facts about flora and fauna along the way.
For Local Groups and Community Events
For community groups and local organizations, our naturalists will lead walks, talks, or demos about the flora and fauna of the area. This service is offered to youth groups like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, to small school groups who cannot participate in our regular elementary program, or to organizations that want to take their employees on a special experience in the Sonoran Desert.