Marana Outdoor Winter Activities: The Best Season to Explore the Sonoran Desert

Winter is one of the best times of year to get outdoors in Marana.

With daytime highs in the 60s and 70s, sunny skies, and cool desert mornings, the season opens the door to hiking, biking, birdwatching, seasonal events, and family-friendly adventures across the community. If you’re planning a winter visit—or just looking for new ways to enjoy your own backyard—here’s your guide to making the most of Marana’s mildest months.

CreditMarana Parks & Recreation
Hiking for Every Level
Bike Marana’s Scenic Paths
Mountain Biking in the Winter Sun
Birdwatching and Nature Walks
Golf Season in Full Swing
Hot Air Ballooning
Horseback Riding Through Desert Landscapes
Family-Friendly Winter Fun
Scenic Drives and Day Trips
Seasonal Tips
Plan Your Winter Visit

Hit the Trails: Hiking for Every Level

Winter is peak hiking season in Marana. The Tortolita Mountain trail system offers a variety of routes with sweeping desert views, from the beginner-friendly Wild Burro Trail to more challenging climbs like Alamo Springs.

Sanctuary Cove provides short, meditative walking paths surrounded by quiet desert slopes, while the Marana Parks & Recreation guided winter hikes offer a structured way to explore new terrain with local experts.

Our top picks for winter hiking:
Wild Burro Trailhead – scenic canyons, classic saguaro forest
Alamo Springs – rewarding views, moderate difficulty
Sanctuary Cove – peaceful, short nature walks, a chapel and labyrinth
Tortolita Preserve – flat and easy with beautiful saguaros

PicturedRocks and vegetation give way to a mountain range in the distance from the Alamo Springs Trail.

Bike Marana’s Scenic Paths

With crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons, winter is an ideal time to ride. Marana connects to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop, a paved, car-free network that was named the nation’s best recreational trail.

You’ll also find neighborhood multi-use paths, gravel routes near the Tortolitas, and easy rides through parks and open spaces.

Whether you’re training for a cycling event or taking a leisurely family ride, winter makes it effortless.

Mountain Biking in the Winter Sun

Marana’s rugged terrain gives mountain bikers plenty to explore in cooler weather. The Tortolita Preserve and Tortolita Mountains offer miles of desert singletrack with rolling elevation, technical features, and panoramic views. Winter conditions—firm trails, low dust, and mild temperatures—make this one of the best seasons to ride.

Whether you’re new to off-road biking or a seasoned rider, the winter months deliver ideal trail conditions. Read more about mountain biking in Marana.

CreditJake Kerr

Birdwatching and Nature Walks

Winter brings migratory birds to the desert, and El Rio Preserve is one of the region’s most accessible viewing spots. Look for hawks, waterfowl, songbirds, and the occasional rare visitor drawn to the open water and native vegetation. The preserve’s short walking loops make it a great stop for families and casual birders.

For more birding hotspots to check out, click here.

Golf Season in Full Swing

Marana’s golf courses shine in winter. The cool season brings excellent playing conditions and postcard-worthy desert views. Courses like The Golf Club at Dove Mountain and The Gallery Golf Club offer bucket-list experiences for both competitive and casual golfers.

CreditThe Golf Club at Dove Mountain

See Marana from Above: Hot Air Ballooning

Winter is also prime time for hot air ballooning, thanks to calm morning winds and cool, stable air. Riders can drift over the Tortolitas, sweeping desert plains, and saguaro forests at sunrise—one of the most iconic ways to experience the Sonoran Desert. Balloon tours operate in the early morning hours when weather conditions are ideal.

Horseback Riding Through Desert Landscapes

Winter is the perfect season for a trail ride. Local stables and nearby guest ranches offer guided horseback riding experiences suited for beginners and experienced riders alike. Trails wind through open desert, foothills, and quiet washes—places that feel especially peaceful in the cooler months. It’s a timeless way to see the desert from a new perspective.

Family-Friendly Winter Fun

Marana is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, and winter brings a full lineup of outdoor activities and events, including:

Nightly Holiday Tree Show
Throughout December, the town of Marana Christmas tree lights up each evening with synchronized music and choreographed LED displays—a festive stop for locals and visitors. Catch the show every night from 6pm to 9pm, it runs every half hour.

Seasonal Runs & Races
Events like the Egg Nog Jog and Dirt Dash bring the community together in parks and trails across town.

Scenic Drives and Day Trips

Winter is also the best time to explore the region’s landscapes by car. Within an hour, you can experience:

Ironwood Forest National Monument – rugged roads, ancient saguaros, untouched Sonoran Desert
Saguaro National Park West – classic desert scenery and overlooks
Mt. Lemmon – a favorite winter excursion when snowfall dusts the pines
Park Link Drive – a paved roadway in nearby Pinal County that takes you from Picacho Peak State Park all the way to the Town of Oracle! You can make a day out of it by visiting Biosphere 2 or Triangle L Art Ranch.

CreditJim Avramis

Seasonal Tips for Enjoying Winter Outdoors

A few quick suggestions to make the most of your winter adventure:

Wear layers as the temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. You may find yourself in shorts if you're from a colder climate while the rest of us are bundled up!

Don't forget the sunscreen! Your skin can burn any time of year.

Trails are busiest on weekends—weekday outings offer quieter experiences.

Winter sunsets are especially vivid; consider timing a hike or scenic stop around golden hour to capture a perfect Tangerine Sky!

PicturedSpirit of Marana
CreditJ.D. Fitzgerald

Plan Your Winter Visit

Whether you’re hitting the trails, flying over the desert at sunrise, or taking in Marana’s holiday traditions, winter is the perfect season to experience the Sonoran Desert.

Visit our trip planning pages for more ideas or order our stunning printed Visitor Guide!

More Ways to Discover Marana Like a Local!

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.