Romero Canyon Trail

The hike on the Romero Canyon Trail begins as an easy walk on the desert floor. Many trails split from this path. Follow the signs to the Romero Canyon Trail. (One detour is called the Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail. It’s not part of this hike.)

Except for a short incline at the start, the trail begins wide, smooth and flat.

The views are great. As the trail snakes up the side of the Montrose Canyon, you can look down on hundreds of sturdy saguaros. The rock formations along side the trail are also wondrous.

This is the roughest part of the journey. It lasts for about 45 minutes, depending on your pace. This part of the hike is similar to those found in Mesa’s Usury Mountain Recreation Area.

Atop the hill, the trail follows the ridgeline and offers spectacular views of the canyon below, the Catalinas and the desert beyond.

This area is the most striking. As the trail continues, it takes hikers alongside massive boulders and other smooth rock formations. At one point, there’s an overlook on a cliff’s edge. Peer down (carefully, please) for a look at the stream below.

The next 20 or so minutes, the trail descends to the Romero pools. This is also a fun little natural playground.

A mountain stream collects in a series of small pools and trickles over waterfalls – a nice reward for the climb.

The Romero Canyon Trail continues on across the stream, but we chose the pools as our turn-around point.

From here, simply reverse course and start telling your quadriceps they’re in for a good workout on the way down. Total trip is 5.6 miles.

To get there, take I-10 south. Just north of Tucson, take the Tangerine Road exit and head east until Highway 77 (Oracle Road). Turn south on Oracle for a short time. Signs point to the park entrance.

The cost to enter the park is $6 per vehicle. Maps are available at the ranger station. Restroom facilities are at the trailhead.

This hike was first featured February 2003 and revised February 2007.