Anza Trail: Tumacácori to Tubac Section

Trail Facts at a Glance

Name: Anza Trail: Tumacácori to Tubac Section

Location: Tumacácori trailhead: 1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacácori, AZ 85640

Tubac trailhead: 1 Burruel St, Tubac, AZ 85646

Trail length plus more: 4.1 miles one-way, starting and ending at two different locations.

[To take the one-way route, hikers need two cars with two drivers to create a “car shuttle”. Instead, shorter hikes can be started at either end of the trail, returning to that starting point.], Gain 40’, Loss 90’, Elevation 3200’, Occasional slopes > 8%

Trail surface: Rugged natural surface with sand, ruts, rocks and roots; wooden bridges and heavy gates Parks agency: National Park Service (Tumacácori National Historical Park) and Arizona State Parks (Tubac Presidio State Historic Park).

Much of the trail crosses private lands. The Anza Trail Coalition of Arizona Inc., 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is responsible for protecting and maintaining the Anza National Historic Trail in Arizona. The Friends of the Tubac Presidio and Museum, Inc., 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, operates the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park on behalf of Arizona State Parks and Trails.

Contact: Tumacácori National Historical Park,

520-377-5060

Arizona State Park Tubac Presidio, 520-377-5063

Anza Trail Coalition of Arizona Inc., 520-841-6944

Friends of the Tubac Presidio and Museum, Inc., 520-398-2252

Tubac Nature Center, (520) 812-6654

Fees:

Parking fee: None

Tumacácori National Historical Park, Park Annual Park Pass: $35

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Adult (14+): $7.00, Youth (7-13): $3.00, Child (0-6): free. There is no fee to enter the Visitor Center.

Trail hours: Open 24h/day, 7 days/week. Trailheads are available outside the park boundaries for access at all hours.

Nature & Interpretive Center hours: Tumacácori National Historical Park Visitor Center hours: 7 days/week, 9am-5pm

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Visitor Center: Closed Monday, Tuesday – Thursday 9am-3pm, Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9am-5pm

Transit: None

Date of last visit: 04/22/25

Disclaimer:

The information provided is for general guidance only and may not reflect current conditions. Users must assess trails for themselves, consider their own abilities, and assume all risks associated with trail use. Tucson AccessTrails, a nonprofit corporation, is not responsible for any injuries or incidents that may occur. Always use caution and prepare appropriately when visiting trails.

Description:

Overview

Follows the 1,200-mile historic route taken by Juan Bautista de Anza in 1775 from Tubac Presidio (Arizona) to the Presidio of San Francisco (California)
Popular area for bird watching—often shared with guided groups from the Tubac Nature Center
The perennial Santa Cruz River supports a rich diversity of plants and wildflowers

Parking, Restrooms & Amenities

Ample accessible parking, ramped access to the Visitor Center, and gender-neutral restrooms
Benches and educational signs
Shady ramada with picnic table near the Tubac trailhead
Wayfinding supported by wooden signs at stream crossings and trail intersections
Dogs allowed on leash

Trail Route

The 4-mile Arizona section runs between Tumacácori National Historical Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Begins in a historic O’odham settlement (1600s) and passes the Jesuit adobe mission (1800s)
Clear signage directs hikers to the Anza Trail
Crosses the Santa Cruz River twice via wooden bridges beneath a canopy of mesquite and cottonwood trees