Great trail. LITTLE COLORADO R ABV LYMAN LAKE NR ST. JOHNS, AZ. Hotels near Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, Hotels near The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Don't be discouraged by all of the picnicking families with their coolers at the bottom. Yes nakedness is common from just below the upper falls on up. Tanque Verde is a beautiful waterfall with an 80-foot plunge in Tucson, Arizona. On a weirder note there are little fish in the water that nibbled the dead skin off our feet, so free pedicures! Please explore responsibly! Ft. 4140 E Angel Spirit Dr, Tucson, AZ 85756. Watch the weather, walk carefully, and stay off this trail during thunderstorms as flash flooding can occur.***. It is wonderful. Its only 0.6 miles, but once the trail enters the canyon, you have to wade and scramble over boulders to reach the base of the falls. This entry was posted on May 28, 2017 by Luke Parsons. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. There is an area somewhere along the Tanque Verde Falls where there is what has become a clothing-free friendly area with a pool for dipping. I recommend this trail even if one cannot get to the falls. Looking Down on Upper Tanque Verde Falls (color), near Tucson, AZ (16x32) This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Absolutely! There are several waterfalls along this creek but the top one is the most impressive. 1 credit. LITTLE COLORADO RVR ABV ZION RES. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Once the pavement stops and turns to dirt, watch for the trailhead parking lot on the left. Dogs are allowed but do not expect to reach the waterfall if you bring a dog; the terrain is very rough. He also had a hard time resisting the smell of the cactus, knock on wood he did not learn the sting yet. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Despite the signage we did not encounter any nude hikers and we remained clothed due to a mix of modesty and the various cacti lining the trail. We had to turn around an do an out and back hike. Tanque Verde Falls. Drive on the dirt road for 0.9 miles until you reach a parking area to the right. My dogs were tired and Its my first hike back post-concussion. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. From here, you can walk over to the edge and see it cascading down the granite wall. The canyon is located within Coronado National Forest. View all posts by Paul. Completely random! Tanque Verde Falls can be reached by a short 1.8-mi (2.89-km) trail with 393 ft (119.7 m) of elevation that is rated as moderate. The signs warn of it near the road. Get more stories delivered right to your email. FYI, it is clothing optional. 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This takes you over a ridgeline and down to more water features. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If you continue on downstream over the maze of boulders, youll reach the creek bank. . It may be a bit more intimidating if there is a lot of water, but unless its monsoon season (July September), it shouldnt be too difficult. Discover this 1.8-km loop trail near Vail, Arizona. Tanque Verde Falls, Tucson: See 38 reviews, articles, and 112 photos of Tanque Verde Falls, ranked No.57 on Tripadvisor among 349 attractions in Tucson. Trail is not marked/ not well defined so be prepared to get a little lost. The one to the south is family friendly. We had been trying to get out and hike with them for almost a year. Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more. There are many smaller waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. As with all hiking trails, be sure to stow your trash in a backpack or pocket until it can be properly disposed of. It took us 45 minutes down to the fall and 45 minutes out. This is a short hike up the Tanque Verde wash to an 80 foot waterfall. Douglas Spring to Three Tank Trail Junction, Douglas Spring, Bridal Wreath Falls, Three Tank, Garwood Loop, Douglas Spring Camp via Douglas Spring Trail, Stock, Douglas Spring, Three Tank, and Wildhorse Loop, Douglas Spring, Converse, Garwood and Wildhorse Loop, Shantz, Vanover, Loma Verde, Cholla, Cactus Forest Trail Loop, Mica Mountain via Douglas Spring and Cow Head Saddle Trail, Shantz - Cholla - Squeeze - Wildhorse Loop, Douglas Spring Trail, Tanque Verde Peak to Visitors Center. Hasibuan IM, Amelia R, Bimantara Y, Susetya IE, Susilowati A, Basyuni M. 2021. Went for time with family, instead found graffiti on the signs, trash and nudity with loose dogs barking at people. Be forewarned the rope does not appear to be properly anchored. Nope. Its a beautiful trail with a great waterfall oasis at the end. PS.Upper Tanque Verde falls must be amazing right now, too.. You just drive out east in Tucson, that Tanque Verde road, keep going when the pavement ends, and keep driving. I especially enjoyed the various ponds the river formed. Be sure to arrive early on weekends and holidays as it does tend to fill up. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. I took my 60 lb freak-athlete of a dog with me on this trail and to say it was challenging for us is an understatement. Its about 20 miles southeast of Green Valley, AZ. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. This is where you will find most traffic from Tucson as hikers, sunbathers, quad riders, etc. There is nothing disgusting about the human body. The plan provides a framework for maintaining, enhancing, and expanding the area's 250 mile trail network. Near the beginning of the trail that descends into the canyon, you'll find a sign for Upper Tanque Verde Falls that has been marked over by . Hiking near a flowing stream is a treat in the Tucson area! This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. On the right hand side of this smaller falls there is a ledge where you can walk behind the waterfall. Be cautious and know the forecast before you go! Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Once you get there, you can hike up and down stream. However, the entire trail is not clothing optional - and while I can imagine a nude dip in a pool of water may be refreshing, I cannot see the joy in hiking nude in Arizona and having the prick of a cactus get you! Still worth it as it was absolutely gorgeous. It was a rough on the van. It can be done, as I witnessed two individuals in their mid-twenties make it to the falls and back. This is a part hike, part rock scramble to upper Tanque Verde Falls. A short, well-maintained trail leads from the parking area down to the stream bed. The beach was 50ft long by 20ft wide and felt and looked just like beach sand, perfect for some nude sunbathing. U might see nudists in the Upper Tanque Verde Falls canyon. Great place to hike. Our small dog had a moderate difficult time to scale the rocks with us. I only hiked to water and back Know that youll be doing your own exploring and following your own path. So beware if you hike with your dog! Lots of water!! 3 hours to go just over 3 miles! So many places for dogs and humans to slip off directly into the water. The water was ice cold, but invigorating! We only went to the waterfall and back so easy. The nearly 230-square-mile Petrified Forest National Park is in Holbrook and offers hiking, horseback riding, guided tours, and backpacking. There is not a trail that loops. No nudists today. No real trail once you hit the river bed. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "uppertanqueverdefalls" Flickr tag. And the boating opportunities and other water recreation like jet skiing are just as magnificent. Ready to go check it out? Have you been to Patagonia lake, south of Madera? (LogOut/ Use it at your own risk! It was a very beautiful drive. My fav hike in this area begins at the Upper Tanque Verde Falls. We almost turned back before the final waterfall due to the scrambling but glad we didnt. The less demanding route is to start from Redington Road at the second trailhead, which is a few hundred feet northeast of the first starting point. There are two approaches to Upper Tanque Verde Falls and they both start from Redington Road. ParkFlo's rating. Was worth overcoming the fear! The falls lie south of Redington Road which connects the Tucson Valley to the southwest with the San Pedro River valley to the east. Through the Community Service Program for women's groups in Percut Sei Tuan, it is hoped that women can increase family income. Visitors can get there with a short hike on the Lower Tanque Verde Falls Trailhead. If you want to make it a loop, understand your will be making it a loop. Site and Upper Tanque Verde Falls would be closed with vehicle barriers. Saw a few people picnics g and enjoying the cold water. Water!! $25 per vehicle, good for . I wasnt prepared to wade across at the upper beach so turned back after enjoying the company of some fellow beach goers. This hike started out with some fun knowledge that there is nudist in the area and it is possible to encounter naked people on the trail. A beautiful day an. Tanque Verde Falls. Want to report conditions for this trail? Wish I had snapped a picture of them! As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time. If you visit in the summer, youll experience very warm and pleasant water temperatures, ranging from 87 to about 79 degrees, on average. View all. To get to Upper Tanque Verde Falls Trailhead from Tucson, drive east on Tanque Verde Road until it turns into a dirt road called Redington Road. Luckily there was water to wash Xander off in, because he stank really bad. Its a little bumpy, but my Toyota Corolla made it just fine to the lower parking lot which isnt veryfar once the road becomes dirt. When the water levels are high this is probably a level 3 or 4 hike. why people bring their mutts to hiking trails made for humans, or beaches that we have designated to be at mostly more than the natural areas unused by humans, is beyond me. The upper entrance to the "West Loop" trail is a steep hillclimb to the right (West) before you reach the falls. The first o ne we chose was pretty easy to climb, but we reached a spot that had a pretty steep drop. Tanque Verde beach is a hidden gem in AZ and the waterfall is a stunning spot to hike to and enjoy, no matter if its wet or dry! Best 2 mile hike I've ever done. However, we still were able to hike some of the trail & hangout around the water. Current Conditions for Arizona: Streamflow -- 237 site (s) found. If you go during monsoon season, check the weather reports and be very cautious as flash floods definitely happen in this area and quite a few people have died here. After scrambling around on the rock shelves for a few minutes, I found a spot that allowed me to photograph both the cascading water and the striations in the cliff face. Excellent cellular service., From this starting point there are 2 trials down about 75 yards apart. Very pretty hike. It was a bit much for me being solo. As far as we know, leashed dogs are permitted at Tanque Verde Falls. This hike starts at the Lower Tanque Verde Falls Trailhead, which is a well marked dirt lot on the left side of Reddington Road. A searcher at the base of Tanque Verde Falls during search for bodies after drownings on July 30, 1981. Really nice low traffic hike, beautiful as the desert starts to bloom. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. After a long mile of scrambling you will reach a beautiful 30 foot waterfall that cuts through the granite. Though Ive never actually attended the rodeo, anything that gives me a 4 day weekend (Im a teacher), is a godsend. Chubbish Rubbish II. The best times to see it are during spring runoff and summer monsoon. We didnt see where the loop connected in the stream, but that was okay. This article is part of a two part hiking guide on Upper and Lower Tanque Verde Falls. I found a great website that lists all the hikes in the south. Those who wear clothes are welcome as well and and seem to accept nudity up there. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Surprisingly, clean trail besides the forgotten dog waste bags but I just threw them in with ours. (LogOut/ Hunter Douglas . If youre driving from Tucson, the first and westernmost trailhead is the more challenging option. Nothing difficult. Tucson, AZ 85748. 1999. Tanque Verde Falls are located in Tanque Verde Canyon east of Tanque Verde, Arizona, about half hour from Tuscon. The water is cold but stunning. "It's a popular area. Additionally, the trail is not marked clearly at all once you hit the falls. I have zero intention of doing any jumping, but next time, I want to check out the lower falls! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Otherwise absolutely beautiful. no water currently. A lot of the trial is washed out, lots of water flowing. While not as tall as the lower falls, Upper Tanque Verde Falls are easier to get to and still beautiful. Double stack waterfall at the end. Many Tucsonans know it as the dirt road to the awe-inspiring Tanque Verde Falls. I am moving to Sahuarita area next to Green Valley & will check this treasure out!!! We would recommend a baby carrier instead. Required fields are marked *. Tanque Verde Falls trail was about a 30-minute drive from Sarahs sisters house. He's now a full-time nomad and travels the American West in an RV with his wife Kim and daughter Maia, doing hikes along the way. From there, it's a short hike to the water. As we kept driving past where we should have stopped to access the trailhead, the road became more treacherous and a tad scary. Although the route is only one mile each way, it presents some difficult challenges. Highlights on the trail include: Multiple waterfalls (including a signature waterfall at the end), scrambling/boulder hopping, and some nice views. The water was so high it was tough making it to the big fall even with getting wet up to my waist. Even when the falls arent running, the rocks are beautiful and there are usually pools left into the summer. Essentials collection. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. RE: (the hilarious and appropriate) Letter to my YogaTeacher, 9 Jam Bands with Rocking Female Musicians. The sound of the fall gets louder and louder as you descend the trail. The final waterfall is the largest and most picturesque of them all. Sad Hike // Upper Tanque Verde Falls. After this, an interesting, mile-long scramble over boulders in the stream bed leads to a pretty waterfall in a narrow part of the canyon. If there is water in the river and the trails you should take shoes that are sturdy enough to make it there and back crossing the river six times or so. While this is a short hike if water levels are high enough, you will have to exert a good . Check out these easy access Arizona waterfalls. airplane graveyard. Also, we had a dog with us, and try as she might, she couldnt jump on top ofthe boulder. Even though there is some incline to it, much of it is paved with asphalt and its very easy to navigate. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Apparently, spotting birds is a popular thing to do in Madera Canyon. The surrounding area, known as the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is popular for camping, hiking, and fishing. Can definitely get to the end without getting your feet wet, good fun. Saguaro National Park in Pima County is 91,327 acres and offers several trails on both its east and west side as well as camping opportunities and of course, tons and tons of saguaro cacti. So hopefully I do a better job of explaining it so you dont end up halfway through the Rincon Mountains like we did! Start out on the paved trail from the Proctor parking lot. SunCloud Patrol Polarized Womens Sunglasses. For those of you who do not live in Tucson, the rodeo is basically considered a holiday. There are many steep, slick rocks to climb and navigate, along with a steady increase in elevation. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Douglas Spring to Three Tank Trail Junction, Douglas Spring, Bridal Wreath Falls, Three Tank, Garwood Loop, Douglas Spring Camp via Douglas Spring Trail, Stock, Douglas Spring, Three Tank, and Wildhorse Loop, Douglas Spring, Converse, Garwood and Wildhorse Loop, Shantz, Vanover, Loma Verde, Cholla, Cactus Forest Trail Loop, Mica Mountain via Douglas Spring and Cow Head Saddle Trail, Shantz - Cholla - Squeeze - Wildhorse Loop, Douglas Spring Trail, Tanque Verde Peak to Visitors Center. Getting to the final falls area is tough, I recommend the 'high' trail on the right. Falls are mesmerizing :). is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. (LogOut/ Be sure to take into account the fitness level of each member of your party. The hike upstream had various little pools and sandy beaches, but the wash is planked by rocks and boulders. Found the upper-loop of the trail is much easier to navigate than the lower loop (less steep and rocky) and is good for kids and dogs. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Those who wear clothes are welcome as well and and seem to accept nudity up there. We were the first ones up there when we went, but if you go on a weekend or during the summer, you will probably see other cars parked there. While getting down was an incredible feat, getting back up was an absolute miracle. The water is really quick right now to get to the large falls but it's beautiful. Hotels near Tanque Verde Falls: (3.78 mi) The Jeremiah Inn Bed and Breakfast (1.96 mi) Tanque Verde Ranch (1.47 mi) Desert Trails Bed and Breakfast (9.56 mi) Rincon Creek Ranch (6.06 mi) Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort Tucson; View all hotels near Tanque Verde Falls on Tripadvisor Youll cross the creek several times and have plenty of places to sit and absorb the ambiance. Second the warnings about deaths in the area, please be careful! As you start to drive up the mountain, the road will become dirt. Patagonianis on my AZ bucket list. A 4x4 would probably make the last half mile or so easier when the road turns to dirt but I made it to the trailhead in a Toyota Carolla without any trouble, so don't let that hold you back. Follow the narrow, well-trodden path downhill for 0.4 miles to reach the beach above the falls. 10 Essentials images for $40. tucson, az. Wonderful hike with views & water running. Literally takes about 11 minutes at a moderate pace to get to the water from the 3rd trail sign. After pictures, goofing around on the beach, eating some poop, falling in the water, climbing over rocks, and flying the drone we decided to head back. A few turns later down the trail there was another posting that read Clothing Optional Area. If youre lucky enough to visit during the blooming season, youre in for a treat! There is an area somewhere along the Tanque Verde Falls where there is what has become a clothing-free friendly area with a pool for dipping. the Madera experience really opened my eyes to whole new adventures in that part of the state. Tanque Verde Falls are a series of waterfalls in Tanque Verde Canyon east of Tanque Verde, Arizona and Tucson, Arizona. As we left the trail and landed on the beach (yep thats right a beach in the desert) we were amazed at how beautiful and out place everything seemed. Change). There are many hidden gems in AZ, most especially within its 128 lakes. Wildflower season is also spectacular. That being said, the shoulder months (September and May) can also be quite pleasant if you check the weather ahead of time. You may see saguaro cacti, rattlesnakes, javelina, jackrabbits, birds, lizards, Palo Verde trees, mesquite trees, and wildflowers. Ill check it out and may even reblog a few. During the hike you'll come across many other smaller waterfalls and swimming holes, which are great to stop and relax in while there. For about . It's unavoidable in some areas. Tanque Verde Falls, Tucson: See 38 reviews, articles, and 112 photos of Tanque Verde Falls, ranked No.57 on Tripadvisor among 348 attractions in Tucson. If you decide to follow this trail to completion, users have said its closer to 2.5 miles roundtrip. Important: The waterfall doesnt flow year-round. Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. One of the efforts to improve community welfare is through community empowerment activities. Its been said that this is the most dangerous hike in Southern Arizona. Note that most dogs venture off leash here, if you have an aggressive or reactive dog this is not the best trail for them! You can stop here to access the lower falls or continue up a bit further (past the information area) to access the upper falls. A primitive rock scramble through the dry riverbed will lead you to an oasis-like areayoull know when you get there. Youre welcome, Pam. Tanque Verde Falls Trail. Xander of course had hard time not being the leader of our troop, typical Xander. But just as a fair warning, know that this is an AZ nude beach and there are nude sunbathers here on occasion. Its really a choose your own length type of hike. Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. If you check out my katelontjeffereys.wordpress.com blog, I did blog posts of many of them. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. The Sonoran Desert routinely goes through long stretches without precipitation and during these periods, the falls dry up. Read all replies. Raging falls after a few days of rain. During Xanders beach exploring he found stinky human poop and decided to eat it (people please dont poop on beaches, its not nice). The one to the north is 50/50 nudists hiking. Continue with purchase. Lots of nudists - don't hike nude here, there are families on this trail too! There were three different trail-heads. This area definitely deserves several trips for exploration beforehand, I felt like we needed to make the right choice for which hike we were going to do, but I dont think you can go wrong. the loop part was not easy to find so we did an out and back. If there is water running when you reach the wash at the bottom then the falls will definitely be flowing. Hillside Light and Shadow. In fact most kids naturally want to be nude. Fun hike, areas of moderate difficulty, gorgeous rocks colored and shaped by seasonal water flows. Easy hike. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Dog friendly. And Grand Canyon National Park is located within both Coconino and Mohave counties. If youre looking for a good view, without taking dogs, and dont mind climbing and exploring on your own, this is a good place. You can go as far as you and your crew desire. Here are some things to keep in mind before you go: * For other ideas of things to do around Tucson, be sure to subscribe to our FREEThis Week In Tucson newsletterand to likeTucsonTopia on Facebook. Fun hike! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. It is not a developed trail and there is potential for serious injury or worse if you arent paying attention. . The upper falls plunge over a 25-foot drop below a gravelly-sand beach thats perfect for swimming and clothing optional. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. However, the entire trail is not clothing optional - and while I can imagine a nude dip in a pool of water may be refreshing, I cannot see the joy in hiking nude in Arizona and . Its dry out here and also in the unfortunate case that you should become injured And unable to continue, you will want to make sure that you have water. Lots of flowing water. Both falls are located in Tanque Verde Canyon. There is some scrambling over boulders and debris with many small waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. Soon youll hear the waterfall gushing over the granite wall to your left. One portion of their newly created trail caved away under them and almost caused a potentially serious fall. First half of the trail was easy. If youre not afraid of a moderate-level trail and the dryness of Arizona, Tanque Verde Falls Beach is a great pick for a hike to a sometimes-there waterfall. There should be nothing going on besides simple nudity, except about 100 yards up stream from the nude area it gets a bit too much as a "pick up" spot for gay men. Pretty challenging. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. There were families having lunches under the large trees. Release of the Draft Santa Catalina Trail Plan. Or extra grippy shoes. Fun to scramble and figure out a path up the stream. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Had I stayed on the beaten (paved) path, I would have never known it was there. (LogOut/ That one leads way into areas much less traveled, quiet, varied vegetation and beautiful (north and east of the outlined route). Flash floods can occur at short or a moments notice, especially during the monsoon season (June September). Our hike to Upper Tanque Verde Falls after heavy snowfall/melt in January of 2019. The biggest draw is the billowing waterfall at the end of the 1.8 mile trail. TucsonTopia is not responsible for any injuries or problems that may arise from partaking in any of these events and activities. What are the most beautiful lakes in Arizona? Whats your favorite hidden gem in AZ? The main trail-head had a parking area. In time where youre supposed to be wearing a mask but you arent even wearing anything besides cologne and shoes. The biggest draw is the billowing waterfall at the end of the 1.8 mile trail. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. There are no posted hours, but this hiking trail is best used from dawn to dusk during daylight hours. If you start thinking to yourself: this is kinda scary or Im not sure my SUV can navigate that incredibly large bump/crater you probably went too far. Very fun scrambling! Searching is a slow process at Tanque Verde Falls and along the creek below it, where at . Located along the Arizona and Utah border, youll find the 162,000-acre Lake Powell. All that being said, you can hike year round in Tucson if you watch the weather, hike early, and plan wisely. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The rocks tend to be slippery after you are wet, so either make sure you have a backup pair of shoes. Second half was too dangerous for my taste. Nothing very steep until the last 20 feet before you drop into "the beach". We ended up not finishing the loop and having to go back for her safety. Youll see a small sign for upper tanque verde falls. Tell us in the comments! Alternatively, you may use. Will definitely return. Not sure what experiences youve had that make you feel this way, but most of the dog owners Ive seen on trails have been pretty responsible with their dogs and either bury their dogs poop or pack it out (which is also advisable for humans who also poop).