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Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 362 Google reviews · Running trail in Tucson, Arizona · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular trail, with rocky terrain and desert views, that goes through a canyon.
What runners say about Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead
“Stunning views make this trail worth the trip to the Santa Catalinas, just be sure to leave the pups at home.”
“Great little trail, no big elevation at the beginning but a bit hot and no shade until you reach the water.”
**No dogs allowed because of bighorn sheep** Fun hiking trail with beautiful desert scenery. A good workout, but not an intense trail. There were several rocky places I was glad I had my hiking boots on.
Lots of parking and an interesting trail past four or five custom homes until you get into the wilderness. Quite a few people hiking - in my first 15 minutes I passed about 25 people leaving. I met another 19 people during the rest of my almost 3 mi hike.
Hiked up to Pima Saddle. Started around 7:15a, was back to the car around 1:30p with a brief break at the saddle to eat and take in the view. What a workout! The first 3ish miles of the canyon is very doable and fun, the trail gets continuously rougher around mile 4, and it just feels like relentless uphill.
Great little trail, no big elevation at the beginning but a bit hot and no shade until you reach the water. Maybe it's cooler in March. It takes about an hour to reach the creek water, then the trail alongside the water is great. We don't have enough power to go to the end.
Trail conditions & character
“Started around 7:15a, was back to the car around 1:30p with a brief break at the saddle to eat and take in the view.”
“When it's time to head back down, your knees will be cursing you (I fell once -- loose rocks and soil make it hard to keep your footing and it's so steep at points).”
“It always surprises me when I go to see a sunset how many people are heading back to the parking lot, just stay a few more minutes, you won't regret it, absolutely beautiful!”
“Great little trail, no big elevation at the beginning but a bit hot and no shade until you reach the water.”
“I didn't realize no dogs are allowed on this trail so didn't spend as much time as I would have liked.”
“The trail is a bit steep and rocky in some parts, flat and easy in others.”
“The trail is a bit steep and rocky in some parts, flat and easy in others.”
Plan your run at Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitepima.gov
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–9 PM |
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