Tortolita Preserve and Trail System
Whether you're a hiker, mountain biker, horseback rider, or just someone looking to soak in the beauty of the desert, the Tortolita Preserve and Trail System offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of the Sonoran Desert.
The Tortolita Preserve was established in 2009, to preserve fascinating, monumental Saguaros, Ironwood trees, and habitat that exemplifies the desert valley ecosystem. It is located on the Tortolita Fan, a flat area at the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, shaped by the water flows off the mountains.
The Preserve consists of 2,400 acres of mostly-flat, gently-sloping desert. This area is thick with native Sonoran Desert vegetation and abundant Saguaro cacti. It is popular for walking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding, and nature photography. The full loop around the preserve is around 9 miles. You can also do a short loop, which can be accessed by going counterclockwise on the main loop, and turning south after approximately 4 miles. The short loop is 5.4 miles long.
The Tortolita Preserve Trailhead is located at the intersection of Moore Rd. and Wild Burro Rd. in the Dove Mountain neighborhood. A new parking area was constructed at the trailhead in 2023, with space for 20 passenger vehicles and 4 horse trailers. A portable restroom has also been added.
There are no drinking fountains at the trailhead but there are additional flush restrooms and drinking fountains 5.5 miles (about 10 minutes) away at the Wild Burro Trailhead.
Leave No Trace
Make sure to remember Leave No Trace principles, and practice basic hiking safety by observing these guidelines on your outing:
- Bring plenty of water, salty snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Turn around when half of your water is gone.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or hiking boots.
- Make sure to check the weather before you go and do not go if extreme heat or storms are in the forecast.
- Make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to be back.
- Do not approach, handle, or feed wildlife.
- Do not remove anything from the trails, including wildflowers, rocks, or archaeological artifacts.
- Please keep dogs on a leash and pick up after them.
- Don’t cut switchbacks or go off-trail, it can cause erosion and worsen trail conditions.
- Practice proper right-of-way etiquette: Everyone yields to horses, downhill hikers yield to uphill hikers and horses, uphill hikers yield only to horses, and cyclists yield to everyone.