Santa Cruz River Park

This past Sunday my partner and I went on a date day to Santa Cruz River Park in Tucson. The park itself wasn't too big because there was a walking and bike riding loop access that goes for miles. But the views were amazing 🤩 and to see a small river in the desert that was awesome too. It's glistening in the pics and short video. For the first time I had seen an active ant🐜 hill. It was a big size about the size of a dinner plate. I did a short video of it and you can see a clip here too. This park is wheelchair accessible and family friendly. There's a parking lot available for parking as well. Go and enjoy.

- Tonetta Clay

Google maps took me to the East side of the river and the parking lot there isn't open, not sure if the other side is... The trail is good though, paved bike lanes and a gravel walking path too. Some information signs, benches and garbage cans along to way. There's a bunch of garbage in the mostly dry riverbed but the trail itself is clean.

- Michelle “Chris”

This review is mainly pertaining to specific sections of the pathway, that being from Irvington and a mile past Ajo way. I grew up running along the river as a kid and over the years I’ve been able to walk or run almost the entire path so being able to notice the changes (for better or worse) has been relatively easy. Most of the pathway is nice and has good scenery. Yes the increased homelessness has made the experience take a nose dive but the city can only do so much. Now for those that do venture into the section from Ajo way all the way to Irvington (cyclists and distance runners) I urge you to take caution if you’re out in the evening. The area is very very bad. And police presence is scarce unless a major event happens, so you can’t count on police as can on the other side of the path way. In recent years in this section, parents and their adolescent kids will ride their 4 and 3 wheelers and sometimes even dirt bikes ON THE PATH, which is very dangerous as I regularly see people walking or running with their strollers or with their small children in tow. The sad thing is that no one ever says anything, ever. But that reticence is common on this side of town and I don’t know why. So for those who are not familiar with this side of town please be aware of your surroundings and yes the homeless are around frequently but through all these years I’ve never seen them bother anyone. Also the grounds keepers on this particular section seem to neglect certain parts of the river for some reason and they only focus their clean up efforts on certain areas, which is why it’s common to see the same piece of trash for weeks if not months on the path. It really is sad to see this part of the path to become what it is now (the Wild West), because it wasn’t always like this. Also don’t expect people on this section to adhere to the “keep right” rule, there are people who walk/run on any side they want and won’t move to the right if you run or bike past them; again no one ever says anything on this side. Happy trails

- David Antone

I’ve always giggled at the fact that it’s a ‘river’ when in reality there rarely ever is water lol. It is very pleasant through to hike or bike the trail. It’s hot or miss depending where you are in regards to litter and the homeless. I don’t have anything against the homeless but let’s face it people in general are turned off by that. I don’t blame the homeless because it’s a great refuge area. I would seek it out too. That said it’s a worthwhile trip to take. 👍☺️

- Yodaman Solo

Nice trail to bike, walk, rollerblade or run. I like the side near the moutain ⛰. Nice area to walk your doggo but bring water. There are some water fountains on the trail but i dont know the intervals of each fountain. Be careful of hot asphalt for your dogs paws it can get quite hot 🔥. There are some unpaved trails as well. Not to busy during weekdays. Bring your cellphone and plenty of ice water. There is a plant nursery on the other side of the trail santa cruz side of park.

- Nesha