Hiking and Oro Valley Trails
Oro Valley has a dynamic trail system for hikers, bikers, inline skaters, runners, equestrians and other users. It is comprised of several types of surfaces, including paved paths (shared use paths), “smooth” trails, and more “primitive” trails.
- The shared use paths exist along Lambert Lane, Naranja Drive, La Cañada Drive, First Avenue, and Tangerine Road. Additional paths along the Cañada del Oro Wash and Big Wash are part of Pima County's Huckelberry Loop system.
The Town is responsible for approximately 30 miles of the trails within Town limits. Other existing trails may fall under the jurisdiction of a Homeowner’s Association or of a private developer. The Town has established an Adopt-A-Trail program to allow interested residents and groups to adopt portions of trails that are controlled by the Town.
TRAIL CLOSURES DUE TO BIGHORN FIRE AS OF JULY 27, 2020: The National Forest Service has closed all the trails and trailheads accessing the Coronado NF in the Catalinas until November 1. Officials are performing damage assessments and repairs. Hiking opportunities are available in the Tortolita Trail System, Tucson Mountain Park, and Santa Rita Mountains.
More on Oro Valley Trails
In contrast to the existing shared use paths, many of the Town’s 54.5 miles of trails are dirt trails. Some are “cultivated” trails; that is, they have been cleared “smooth” by man and may contain decomposed granite as a hiking surface. In general, these types of trails are those that run through or adjacent to subdivisions.
The Town’s “primitive” trails are mainly dirt trails which have been delineated by rock cairns or other natural barriers. Many of these trails feature steep slopes or other similar rough terrain. They are usually on the outer edge of the Town’s limits, or within areas that are considered “natural” or “open space” within subdivisions. Many of these primitive trails follow the course of a wash or run adjacent to it, which may mean that in times of heavy rains, these trails may be impassable or even dangerous. An example of this type of trail is the trail that is heavily used by equestrians, the trail that runs within the CDO wash itself.
It is the Town’s goal to provide an interconnected trail system that can be used by both recreational as well as more “serious” users. It is part of a trail system that has been delineated in such plans as the Town’s Oro Valley Trails Task Force Report, the Town's Parks, Open Space and Trails Reports, Eastern Pima County Master Trails Plan, and the CDO Linear Park Plan.
Adopt a Trail Program
About the Program
The Adopt A Trail Program is designed to help maintain and improve trails in the Town of Oro Valley, by providing an outlet for community and interest groups to assist in trail maintenance. The Town of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department’s Adopt A Trail Program (AAT) was established in January 2004. It was modeled after the Town’s Adopt A Roadway program as well as successful Adopt A Trail programs throughout the United States. The program provides land stewardship, physical fitness, and instills a sense of pride and ownership for volunteers, fostering a closer connection to the community and to the environment. Trails provide a recreation outlet in Oro Valley, which is a requirement for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They preserve open space and animal habitat, which assist in maintaining the health of the environment.
How to Participate
Interested organizations should contact the Adopt A Trail Coordinator. Interested groups may include scout groups, youth groups, special interest clubs, families, schools, and private industry groups. The Coordinator will explain and discuss the AAT Program with a responsible representative of the interested organization, emphasizing that the program requires significant physical work that must be done on a reasonably frequent basis for at least two years.
For more information or for a printed copy of the AAT brochure, please contact:
Nancy Ellis, AICP, CPRP, GPC, Multimodal Planner
520-229-5057 or nellis@orovalleyaz.gov