Seven Falls

Seven Falls tumbles through a series of tiered rock pools in Sabino Canyon at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The cascades are modest in size — each drop ranges from 5 to 15 feet — but the cumulative effect of seven separate falls flowing into polished swimming holes surrounded by Sonoran Desert makes this one of the most refreshing hikes in southern Arizona. The contrast between the arid saguaro-studded canyon and the cool, shaded pools is extraordinary.

The hike is approximately 9 miles round trip from the Bear Canyon trailhead, following the canyon floor through increasingly scenic terrain. The trail crosses the creek dozens of times and involves significant boulder-hopping in the final mile before the falls. Good route-finding skills are helpful, as the trail becomes faint near the pools. The reward is a series of natural swimming holes set in sculpted granite bowls.

The falls are seasonal and flow best from late winter through spring, especially after heavy rain. By June, the pools may be dry. The monsoon season from July through September can bring sudden flash floods — check weather forecasts carefully. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area requires a $5 per vehicle fee.