Tucson 101
Welcome to the Old Pueblo! The Sonoran Desert is friendly once you know its rules. Here is the neighborly rundown on heat, monsoons, fire, wildlife, and the trails, straight from the locals.
Heat and Sun
Our dry heat is sneaky. You can lose a lot of water before you ever feel sweaty.
Drink water before you feel thirsty.
Dry heat makes it easy to underestimate how much fluid you are losing.
Bring more water than you think you need.
Especially when hiking, biking, attending outdoor events, or visiting the desert.
Do outdoor activities early.
Morning hikes are usually much safer and more enjoyable than starting in the hottest part of the day.
Shade is your friend.
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and breathable clothing, and take regular breaks out of direct sunlight.
Never leave anyone in a parked car.
That includes children, pets, older adults, and "just for a minute."
Check the pavement before walking your dog.
Asphalt and sidewalks can get dangerously hot even when the air feels manageable.
Pima County advises visitors to stay hydrated, dress for the heat, protect themselves from the sun, and use local cooling centers or hydration stations when needed.
Monsoons and Desert Weather
Summer storms are dramatic and beautiful. They are also fast, powerful, and worth respecting.
A dry wash may not stay dry.
Heavy rain miles away can send water rushing through an area where it is not raining at all.
Never drive through moving water.
Turn around and take another route rather than guessing how deep or powerful it is.
Stay out of washes when storms are possible.
Do not park, camp, or linger in them.
When thunder starts, head inside.
A substantial building or enclosed vehicle is safer than a tree, ramada, trail shelter, or open desert.
Take weather alerts seriously.
A watch means conditions are possible. A warning means the danger is happening or imminent.
Know the dust storm drill.
Avoid driving into one when possible. If visibility collapses, pull completely off the road, park, turn off your lights, set the parking brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Flash flooding, lightning, strong winds, and sudden dust are the major hazards of the Tucson summer monsoon.
Fire Safety
The desert burns fast when it is dry. A little caution goes a very long way out here.
Check current fire restrictions before lighting anything outdoors.
Rules can differ between city, county, state, national forest, and national park land.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Drown and stir a campfire until it is completely cold. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Never toss cigarettes on the ground or out of a vehicle.
One butt in dry brush is all it takes.
Avoid parking over dry grass.
Hot vehicle components can ignite vegetation underneath.
Fireworks do not belong in the desert.
They are prohibited on many public lands and create an enormous wildfire risk.
Saguaro National Park asks visitors to use only authorized fire areas, extinguish fires completely, pack out cigarette butts, and check restrictions before visiting.
Wildlife and Desert Etiquette
We share this valley with rattlesnakes, javelina, coyotes, and a lot of very pointy plants. They were here first.
Give rattlesnakes space.
Do not touch, corner, move, or photograph one from a few feet away. Back up and let it leave.
Keep dogs away from javelina.
Turn around and leave the area rather than letting a dog bark, chase, or approach.
Never feed wild animals.
It creates dangerous behavior and draws wildlife into neighborhoods.
Look before placing your hands or feet.
Be careful around rocks, brush, wood piles, ledges, and warm pavement after dark.
Do not touch the cactus.
Cholla segments and other desert spines attach far more easily than visitors expect.
Leave it where you found it.
Desert plants, rocks, wildlife, and historical objects stay put.
Arizona Game and Fish recommends giving snakes a wide berth, always keeping your distance from javelina (especially when accompanied by dogs), and never feeding wildlife.
Hiking and Exploring
Our trails are world class. Treat them with a plan and they will treat you to the best views in Arizona.
Tell someone where you are going.
Share the trail, your starting point, and when you expect to return.
Download your map before leaving.
Do not assume every trail or mountain area has reliable cell service.
Set a turnaround time.
Do not wait until you are exhausted, out of water, or caught by darkness to head back.
Stay on established trails.
It protects both you and the fragile desert around you.
Wear actual hiking shoes.
Loose rock, thorns, steep slopes, and uneven ground make casual footwear a bad gamble.
Know your limits.
The desert does not care about your itinerary. Turning around is always better than pushing forward because you already drove there.
For backcountry travel, Saguaro National Park recommends ample water, suitable footwear, weather awareness, route planning, wildlife caution, and avoiding flooded crossings.
Need a hand while you are here?
Tucson takes care of its own, visitors included. Our Community Resources section lists food banks, shelters, health clinics, and more. In an emergency, always call 911. For crisis support call or text 988, and dial 211 for help finding local services.
Browse Community Resources