Categories
- Shuttle Services
- Tickets and General Reservations
- Recreation Area Admissions & Onboarding Time Management
- Shuttle Route Operations & Pickups
- Stops along the Sabino and Bear Canyon Road Trails
- Hiking Trails & Access
- High Water Tours, Inclement Weather & Safety Advisories
- Commercial Group Tours, Accessibility Accommodations & General Exceptions
- Sabino Canyon’s Partner Organizations
Shuttle Services
Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour
The Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour is a guided, narrated shuttle tour that travels the 3.7-mile Sabino Canyon Road Trail and returns to the Visitor Center.
The round-trip tour lasts approximately one hour and includes:
- Scenic views of the desert scrub environment
- A riparian corridor along Sabino Creek, which runs parallel to the road
- A vista overlook along the final mile of the route
The shuttle tour includes a five-minute stop at the top of the road, allowing visitors to step off and view Sabino Canyon before returning downhill.
During the ride, guests listen to a guided audio tour that narrates Sabino Canyon’s ecological, geological and sociological history.
Ticket Fare
- Adults (ages 13+): $15 per person
- Children (ages 3–12): $8 per child
Children under age 3 ride free when seated with a guardian.
Bear Canyon Shuttle Route to Seven Falls
The Bear Canyon Shuttle is a short shuttle service that operates along a two-mile stretch of Bear Canyon Road and provides access to the Seven Falls Trailhead.
The route includes three shuttle stops:
- Stop 1: Located near the overlook picnic area by the Lower Sabino Dam, adjacent to the road’s roundabout.
- Stop 2: Located approximately one-quarter mile past the Lower Sabino Dam roundabout.
- Stop 3: Located near the final roundabout at the end of Bear Canyon Road, approximately one-quarter mile from the Seven Falls Trailhead.
From the shuttle drop-off point, visitors hike 2.7 miles one way to reach Seven Falls.
Ticket Fare
- Adults (ages 13+): $8 per person
- Children (ages 3–12): $5 per child
Children under age 3 ride free when seated with a guardian.
Seven Falls
Seven Falls is a series of cascading waterfalls that flow through a narrow canyon corridor. At the base of each waterfall are naturally carved rock basins, which collect water and form the pools commonly seen in photos. Water levels and pool conditions vary seasonally and depend on recent rainfall.
Tickets and General Reservations
Yes. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season, weekends and holidays. Shuttle seating is limited, and popular departure times often sell out early.
Same-day tickets may be available but availability is not guaranteed.
When a shuttle run is sold out, all available seats for that departure time have been reserved. Once sold out, additional seats cannot be added.
Sold-out runs do not indicate a closure of the recreation area — only that shuttle capacity has been reached.
Tickets can be purchased on site at the ticket kiosks located by the Shuttle office or online through the Sabino Canyon Crawler’s website (sabinocanyoncrawler.com).
Tickets can be purchased at the self-service kiosks located next to the Shuttle office. The kiosk uses a touchscreen interface and a physical keyboard and card reader built into the machine.
Because the kiosk interface is not always intuitive, please follow the steps below carefully.
Step 1: Activate the Kiosk
- Touch the screen anywhere when it displays: “Buy Sabino Canyon Shuttle Service Tickets Here”
- This will begin the ticket purchasing process
Step 2: Select Your Shuttle Service
- On the next screen, choose Sabino Canyon Tour or Bear Canyon (Seven Falls Trailhead)
- You can select a service by:
- Tapping the service name at the top of the screen, or
- Tapping one of the listed departure times below the service
Note: Both methods work, even though this is not clearly indicated on the screen.
Step 3: Select Ticket Quantity
Use the plus (+) and minus (–) buttons to choose the number of tickets.
Ticket types include:
- Adults (Ages 13+)
- Children (Ages 3–12)
- Wheelchair/Children Wheelchair (if applicable)
- When finished, touch Next
Step 4: Select a Date
- A calendar will appear
- Use the arrow in the top-right corner to change months
- Touch the desired date to proceed
Step 5: Enter Your Name & Accept Terms
This step causes the most confusion.
- Touch the name field on the screen
- A physical keyboard located below the screen will activate
- Enter your first and last name only
- Do not include a middle initial
- Check the box to accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
- The terms can be viewed by tapping the links and closing the pop-up window when finished
- Touch Next
Step 6: Review Your Ticket Details
Confirm:
- Shuttle service
- Date and time
- Ticket quantity
- Total price
Touch Next to proceed to payment.
Step 7: Payment Instructions (Important)
- Insert your credit/debit card into the card reader
- Leave the card inserted
- Touch the CVC field on the screen
- This step is required
Once the cursor appears in the CVC field:
- Remove your card
- Enter the CVC code using the top row of the physical keyboard
- When all fields are filled, touch Next
Step 8: Ticket Printing
- After payment is successful, your ticket will print from the lower left side of the kiosk
- Please wait until printing is completed before removing your ticket
- The screen will close automatically when finished
Tickets can be purchased online in advance through the Sabino Canyon Crawler website. Online purchasing allows you to select your service, reserve a specific departure time, and manage your booking after purchase if needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Go to sabinocanyoncrawler.com
Open the menu and select Home/Tickets.
2. Scroll to “Available Products/Shuttle Tickets.”
You will see the available services:
- Sabino Canyon Tour
- Bear Canyon Shuttle (Seven Falls Trailhead)
(Optional) Before selecting a service, you may click “Shuttle Ticket Availability” to view a real-time capacity map showing current service usage.
3. Select your preferred service.
Tap or click either:
- Sabino Canyon Tour, or
- Bear Canyon Shuttle (Seven Falls Trailhead)
4. Select your ticket quantities.
Use the plus (+) and minus (–) icons to adjust the number of adult and child tickets.
When finished, continue to the next screen.
5. Select your date by clicking on the calendar icons.
A calendar will appear showing available dates.
- Tap or click directly on the date circle you want
- Use the arrow icons to move forward or backward by month if needed
6. Select your departure time by clicking on the time icons.
After choosing a date, available departure times will appear.
- Tap or click directly on the time icon or row for your preferred departure
- Times marked Available can be booked immediately
- Times marked Limited may sell out soon
7. Enter your contact information.
You will be asked to enter:
- Your full name
- Your email address
- Your phone number
This information is required to send your ticket and booking confirmation.
8. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
Click the checkbox acknowledging the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, then continue.
9. Complete payment.
Enter your card information and submit payment. Once payment is successful, you will receive an on-screen confirmation.
10. Access your ticket and confirmation email.
After purchase:
- A confirmation screen will appear with access to your ticket
- A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided
- Your ticket can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF
Each ticket includes a QR code that will be scanned before boarding.
11. Manage your booking using the confirmation email.
The confirmation email includes a clearly labeled “Manage Booking” section. From that link, you can:
- Change your departure date or time (subject to availability)
- Convert your ticket to a voucher
- Cancel your reservation and receive a refund, if completed within the allowed time window prior to departure
Yes. Reservations can be changed or canceled using several options, depending on timing and availability.
After purchasing tickets online, you will receive a confirmation email. This email includes a clearly labeled “Manage Booking” section.
By clicking Manage Booking, you can:
- Change your departure date or time (subject to availability)
- Convert your ticket to a voucher
- Cancel your reservation and receive a refund, if completed within the allowed time window prior to departure
All online changes and cancellations must be completed through the Manage Booking link included in the confirmation email.
No. Shuttle tickets are time-specific and are valid only for the scheduled departure for which they were purchased.
Once a visitor has returned to the Visitor Center after completing their ride, the ticket is considered used and is no longer valid for re-boarding.
Visitors wishing to ride again must purchase a new ticket, subject to availability.
No. Ticket sales close five minutes prior to each scheduled departure.
- Both the on-site kiosks and the online ticketing system are designed to automatically time out five minutes before departure.
- Once ticket sales have closed, no additional transactions can be processed, even if seats appear available.
Sabino Canyon Crawler does not operate a standby boarding policy.
This is because:
- Visitors may board at Stops 0, 1, and 2 under specific operational stipulations (see Recreation Area Admissions & Onboarding Time Management), and
- Available seating must be preserved for riders boarding along the route
If the capacity counter indicates that a shuttle is full, additional boarding accommodations cannot be provided.
Shuttles depart on schedule. If you arrive after your scheduled departure has left, your reservation for that run cannot be honored.
Missed departures cannot be rebooked if later runs are sold out. Arriving early is strongly recommended.
Shuttle tickets cover shuttle transportation only.
Recreation area entry fees, passes, or permits — if applicable — are separate from shuttle tickets and are independently managed by the Forest Service.
If you need help with your reservation, you may contact Sabino Canyon Crawler customer service:
(520) 792-2953
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MST)
Closed on: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Customer service staff can assist with:
- Questions about your reservation
- Guidance on changing or canceling tickets
- General ticketing support
In some situations, reservations may also be changed or canceled through our concierge staff, when available and appropriate. Concierge assistance is subject to operational constraints and timing prior to departure.
- All changes and cancellations are subject to availability and applicable time restrictions.
- Refund eligibility depends on how far in advance the cancellation is completed.
- Tickets purchased on site follow different modification rules than online reservations.
- Online tickets are recommended during peak season, weekends, and holidays.
- Online tickets are reserved for a specific date and departure time.
- All changes or cancellations must be completed through the Manage Booking link included in the confirmation email.
Recreation Area Admissions & Onboarding Time Management
Recreation Area Admissions
- The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located at 5700 North Sabino Canyon Road, just north of the Sunrise Drive/Sabino Canyon Road intersection, on the northeast side of the road.
- The Coronado National Forest (CNF) Sabino Canyon Recreation Area sign will be visible on the right side of the road.
- The entrance lane leading into the main recreation area parking lot will be clearly visible.
- Farther north, a directional post on the right side of the road will guide visitors to a utility lane leading to the overflow parking lot.
- On the left side of the main parking lot, a display board with a QR code allows visitors to purchase daily or weekly parking passes through the recreation.gov application.
- Visitors paying with cash may use the payment envelopes located in the deposit box adjacent to the display board.
- On the right side of the recreation area entrance, near the front of the courtyard, there is a credit/debit card payment kiosk, with an adjacent deposit box.
- Near the overflow parking lot, next to the overflow connector trailhead, there is an additional display board and deposit box.
- District and federal passes may be purchased inside the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, located north of the courtyard.
Onboarding & Time Management
- The Sabino Canyon Shuttle Office is located just west of the Visitor Center.
- Sabino Canyon Crawler vehicles begin boarding 15 minutes prior to departure along the curbside of the road trail, marked by metal stanchions.
- The Bear Canyon shuttle bus boards 5 minutes prior to departure near the mesquite tree adjacent to the Shuttle office.
- The Sabino Canyon Shuttle Office is located just west of the Visitor Center.
- Sabino Canyon Crawler vehicles begin boarding 15 minutes prior to departure along the curbside of the road trail, marked by metal stanchions.
- The Bear Canyon shuttle bus boards 5 minutes prior to departure near the mesquite tree adjacent to the Shuttle office.
- If parking in the overflow lot, visitors should plan to arrive no later than 20 minutes prior to departure, if possible.
- The walk from the overflow lot to the road trail takes a normative estimate of 10 to 15 minutes.
- The overflow trail connector is just under one-half mile long.
- Once the connector trail reaches the road trail, turning right leads to an intersection of Bear Canyon Road and Sabino Canyon Road.
- At this intersection, a bench and sign labeled “Stop 0” mark a designated pickup location for riders with a scheduled departure time.
- Shuttle vehicles typically arrive at Stop 0 approximately five minutes after the scheduled departure time.
- For Bear Canyon departures, arrival at Stop 0 is typically a few minutes after the scheduled time.
- Seating on the Crawler is open, and riders boarding at Stop 0 have lower priority for preferred seating.
Accessibility Advisory
Due to the uneven terrain of the overflow connector trail, visitors with physical disabilities are advised to carefully consider whether this route is appropriate.
In limited situations, visitors riding the Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour may board the vehicle at Stops 1 or 2 during the Crawler’s ascent into the canyon.
Important considerations:
- Stop 1 and Stop 2 are located approximately one mile to one and a half miles up the road trail, respectively.
- It takes a normative estimate of approximately 30 minutes on foot to reach these stops.
- These boarding locations are only applicable to the Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour, not the Bear Canyon shuttle.
Timing requirements
- Visitors boarding at Stop 1 or Stop 2 must be present no later than five minutes after the scheduled departure time.
- The Crawler cannot delay its ascent to wait for late arrivals at these stops.
Seating expectations
- The Sabino Canyon Crawler operates under an open seating policy.
- When boarding at Stops 1 or 2, seating arrangements may be scattered and non-uniform, depending on available space at the time of pickup.
- Groups boarding mid-route should expect limited seating flexibility.
Shuttle Route Operations & Pickups
The Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour travels continuously to the top of the road trail without interruption.
- Travel time from the Visitor Center to the road trail summit is approximately 25 minutes.
- The road trail includes nine designated shuttle stops.
* For limited onboarding exceptions at Stops 1 and 2, please see the Recreation Area Admissions & Onboarding Time Management section.
- Drop-offs are permitted after reaching the road trail summit or during the return (descent).
- Visitors may exit the shuttle at any designated stop of their choosing.
- Stops are fixed and designated; shuttles do not stop at unmarked locations.
- Visitors may inform the driver of their preferred stop while the vehicle is stopped at Stop 9 (the summit), or
- Visitors may physically wave to the driver as the shuttle approaches their desired stop.
- Waving is required so the driver can clearly see the request in the rearview mirror.
- The Crawler pauses briefly at Stop 9.
- Visitors who take a break at Stop 9 and wish to retain their same seats on the return should:
- Leave a small identifiable personal item at their seats
- This helps prevent unintentional seat reassignment by other riders
- Seating is open, and seat retention cannot be guaranteed without clear identification
- Pickups occur only at designated stops.
- Boarding is entirely subject to space availability at the time the shuttle arrives.
- If a vehicle is full, visitors may need to wait for the next scheduled shuttle.
Contingent upon available seating, visitors may purchase one-way tickets at any of the nine designated stops.
Payment requirements:
- Debit or credit card (processed by the driver using a Clover device), or
- Exact cash only
One-way ticket pricing:
- Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour:
- $8 per person (one-way ride back to the Visitor Center on the descent)
- Bear Canyon Shuttle:
- $5 per person (one-way ride westbound back to the Visitor Center)
To board or re-board the shuttle, visitors must present:
- A paper ticket, or
- A PDF ticket from the company confirmation email
Tickets must be available for verification upon boarding.
Sabino Canyon Crawler Tour
Service operates at minimum:
- Every hour on the hour from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Return trips from the road trail summit depart at least:
- Thirty minutes past the hour, every hour, until 4:30 PM
- During peak season, service generally increases to:
- Every 30 minutes between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Bear Canyon Shuttle
Service operates at minimum:
- Once per hour from 9:15 AM to 4:15 PM
- During peak season, service generally increases to:
- Every 30 minutes between 9:15 AM and 12:15 PM
- Frequency may vary based on demand
- Return times from Stop 3 (Seven Falls Trailhead drop-off/pickup point):
- 25 minutes past the hour when running hourly
- 25 and 55 minutes past the hour when running on a half-hour frequency
- 4:25 PM is the final return of the day from Bear Canyon
Actual frequency may vary based on volume and operational conditions.
- Snacks and drinks are allowed on the shuttle.
- Coolers are generally permitted.
- During high-volume periods, space constraints may prevent coolers from being accommodated when vehicles are near capacity.
Stops along the Sabino and Bear Canyon Road Trails
The Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon road trails include designated shuttle stops used for orientation, drop-offs, and pickups. Certain stops feature notable natural, cultural, or recreational characteristics.
This section highlights key stops and their unique features. For official mileage distances, trail connections, trail difficulties, and detailed recreation area amenities, visitors should refer to the official USDA Recreation Area map published by the U.S. Forest Service.
- Stop 1 — Interpretive Outpost
- Features an interpretive station covering Sabino Canyon’s ecology and Tucson’s aquifer system
- Informational brochures are available
- Spanish-language interpretive materials are also provided
- Stop 2 — Creek Access & Riparian Area
- Includes staircases descending from the road pullout to the Sabino Canyon Creek bed
- Allows closer exploration of the riparian environment
- Offers a more intimate experience of the canyon’s water corridor
- Stop 6 — Beach Area
- Commonly referred to as Sabino Canyon’s beachside stop
- A popular location for relaxing near the creek during warmer months
- Stop 8 — Anderson Dam
- A watering hole surrounded by rock ledges
- Known as Anderson Dam, named in commemoration of John Anderson
- Frequently used as a rest and gathering point
- Stop 9 — Road Trail Summit
- Located at the top of the Sabino Canyon Road trail
- Provides an overlook view of Sabino Canyon
- Serves as the turnaround point for the Crawler Tour
- Stop 1 — Lower Sabino Dam Overlook
- Located near the recreation area’s helipad
- Adjacent to a picnic table overlooking the Lower Sabino Dam
- Stop 2 — Lower Sabino Dam Access Area
- Located approximately one-quarter mile from the primary access point to the Dam
- The Lower Sabino Dam is a manmade structure
- Surrounded by:
- Riparian woodland on the west side
- A mesquite bosque path on the east side
- Stop 3 — Bear Canyon Road Endpoint
- Located at the roundabout marking the end of the Bear Canyon Road
- Approximately one-quarter mile from the Seven Falls Trailhead
- Serves as the primary drop-off and pickup point for Seven Falls access
For authoritative information on:
- Mileage distances
- Trail connections
- Recreation area amenities
Visitors are encouraged to consult the official USDA Recreation Area map (pdf).
Hiking Trails & Access
The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area contains a network of interconnected hiking trails that link Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, road trails, creek corridors, and ridge lines. Many trails intersect or converge at multiple points, allowing visitors to access the trail system from various locations.
This section highlights how the trail network is interconnected and identifies notable trail access points.
For official mileage distances, difficulty information, and recreation area amenities, visitors should refer to the official USDA Recreation Area map (pdf).
Esperero Trail — #25
Accessible from:
- A trailhead off the Bear Canyon dirt path, near the recreation area entrance
- A trailhead off the Sabino Canyon Road trail
- The Bear Canyon-accessible portion of Esperero Trail eventually converges with Sabino Canyon’s paved road
- Surrounded primarily by Desert Scrub ecology
- Leads hikers westward into the Santa Catalina Mountain Range
Bluff Trail — #51
- Accessible from the lower elevation portion of the Sabino Canyon Road trail
- Consists of a rock formation staircase descending to a convergence point
Connects to:
- Lake Trail (#30) on the west side of the Lower Sabino Dam
- Sabino Dam Trail (#33) on the east side of the Dam
- These trails eventually lead to the Bear Canyon paved road
- Serves as a key connector between Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon trail systems
Lake Trail — #30
- Runs along the west side of the Lower Sabino Dam
- Interconnects with Bluff Trail (#51)
- Part of the trail network linking Sabino Canyon to Bear Canyon
Sabino Dam Trail — #33 / Creek Trail — #52
- Runs along the east side of the manmade Lower Sabino Dam
- Beyond the Bluff/Lake/Dam convergence point, continuing north:
- The trail becomes known as the Creek Trail (#52)
- Sabino Dam Trail and Creek Trail are technically the same trail
- Travels through the mesquite bosque along the east side of Sabino Creek
From the Creek Trail, hikers may cross the creek bed to reach:
- Sabino Canyon’s road trail, near Stop 1
Phoneline Trail — #27
Accessible from:
- The Bear Canyon road trail
- The Sabino Canyon road trail summit
Mixed-terrain trail that:
- Plateaus along Sabino Canyon’s ridgeline
- Descends more steeply near its endpoint at the Bear Canyon Road
Offers expansive views of:
- Sabino Canyon
- The Santa Catalina Mountains
- Tucson’s valley
Interconnections off Phoneline Trail:
- Sabino Historic Trail — #23A
- Steep connector at a higher elevation point on Phoneline Trail
- Interconnects between Sabino Canyon Stop 7 and Phoneline Trail
- Phoneline Link Trail — #27A
- Jagged connector at Phoneline’s lower elevation
- Connects to the east side of Sabino Canyon’s creek bed
- Runs parallel between Stops 1 and 2, opposite the road trail
- Blackett’s Ridge Trail — #48
- Steep trail with a series of switchbacks off Phoneline’s east side
- Leads to a summit overlooking Tucson’s valley
Rattlesnake Trail — #50
- Located near Sabino Canyon Stop 1
- Dirt path connecting:
- Lower elevation portion of Esperero Trail
- Sabino Canyon road trail at Stop 1
Sabino Creek Trail — #52A
- Accessible from Sabino Canyon Road trail summit
- Located just north of Stop 9, near the roundabout
- Descends along the west side of Sabino Trail (#23)
Bajada Loop Trail — #38
- Small loop located near the recreation area entrance
- Known for:
- High biodiversity
- Interpretive signage describing local plant life
- A crested (mutated) saguaro, representing a rare genetic deviation in the Sonoran Desert
- The Seven Falls Trailhead is located near the end of the Bear Canyon Road trail (#29)
- Access points include:
- A descending path from the Bear Canyon Road trail roundabout
- A distinct dirt path entrance beginning lower in Bear Canyon
- An additional access point from Sabino Canyon Stop 0
- At the intersection of the Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon road trails near Stop 0:
- Turning right leads onto the Bear Canyon paved road
- The dirt path portion of Bear Canyon Trail eventually converges with the Bear Canyon Road trail
- This convergence occurs near the lower eastern region of the recreation area
For authoritative information on:
- Trail mileage
- Difficulty and elevation
- Recreation area amenities
Visitors should consult the official USDA Recreation Area map (pdf).
High Water Tours, Inclement Weather & Safety Advisories
High Water Tours occur when water levels in the Sabino Canyon creek bed exceed the threshold for safely crossing the road trail bridges.
During these conditions, Sabino Canyon Crawler operates a modified guided, narrated tour route designed specifically for high-water scenarios. The overall tour duration remains approximately one hour.
High Water Tour route sequence:
- On ascent, the Crawler stops at the road pullout adjacent to Stop 2, prior to the first bridge crossing, allowing visitors to view the riparian environment along the creek bed.
- The vehicle then turns around and descends toward Bear Canyon.
- The tour continues onto Bear Canyon Road, where:
- A break is taken at Bear Canyon Stop 1, near the overlook picnic area with views of the Lower Sabino Dam.
- A final break is incorporated near the roundabout access point to the Lower Sabino Dam.
Bear Canyon Shuttle Service
- During High Water Tour conditions, the Bear Canyon shuttle bus service is generally suspended.
- This is due to water levels preventing safe passage across the Bear Canyon bridge near the midpoint of the road trail.
- These conditions typically overlap with periods when Bear Canyon bridge crossings are not possible.
Sabino Canyon Crawler vehicles can operate during rain under normal conditions.
Service interruptions may occur under limited circumstances, including:
- Snowfall on road surfaces
- Exceptionally high wind events
- Anomalous rainfall that significantly reduces visibility
When operational conditions require suspension of service:
- Visitors will receive a full refund
- Refunds are issued prior to departure or at the time a decision is made to discontinue service from the Visitor Center
For the comfort and safety of all riders, visitors are advised to observe the following:
- Keep feet inside the vehicle at all times
- Stay adequately hydrated, especially during warmer months
- Wear sunscreen appropriate for desert conditions
Search & Rescue Notice
- Sabino Canyon Crawler is not a search and rescue organization
- The service is not equipped or qualified to perform rescue operations
- Search and rescue efforts are overseen by the Southern Arizona Rescue Association or local authorities, as appropriate
Commercial Group Tours, Accessibility Accommodations & General Exceptions
Commercial tour operators and organizers of large group visits may request scheduled group tours at Sabino Canyon, subject to availability and operational considerations.
Requesting a Commercial Group Tour
To request a commercial tour reservation, please contact us in advance with the following information:
- Preferred date(s)
- Estimated group size
- Your name and contact information
Contact Information
- Email: SabinoOperations@gmail.com
- Phone: (520) 792-2953
U.S. Forest Service Group Amenity Fee
Groups arriving in commercial vehicles are subject to a group amenity fee, payable directly to the U.S. Forest Service:
- Vans (1–15 seats): $8
- Mini-buses (16–30 seats): $35
- Buses (31+ seats): $75
Operational Notes & Special Arrangements
- All commercial group tours must take place during regular Crawler operating hours, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- Seasonal departure frequency applies.
Dedicated Vehicle Requests
- If a tour operator requests a dedicated vehicle not shared with the general public, a flat rate of $15 per seat applies for the full vehicle, regardless of actual group occupancy.
- Dedicated vehicle arrangements must be made in advance and are subject to availability.
Sabino Canyon Crawler services comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Wheelchair Accessibility
- Each Crawler vehicle can accommodate up to two standard wheelchairs per vehicle.
- Wheelchairs are seated behind the driver’s cabin.
- A boarding ramp is located on the right side of the first row behind the driver’s cabin.
For convenience, visitors using wheelchairs may find it helpful to:
- Arrive up to 30 minutes prior to departure
- Proceed to the designated loading zone at the end of the metal stanchions
Arriving early at the loading zone allows additional time for boarding coordination and seating arrangements.
Service Animals
- Service animals are permitted on the vehicle, consistent with the ADA’s definition of a service animal.
For convenience, visitors traveling with service animals are encouraged to:
- Arrive up to 30 minutes prior to departure
- Board from the same loading zone at the end of the metal stanchions
Early arrival may allow for preferred seating arrangements to better accommodate service animals during the ride.
The following scenarios represent limited exceptions to standard ticketing and usage rules. These exceptions apply only under the conditions described below.
Southern Arizona Attractions Passport (Discount Code)
Visitors who possess a Southern Arizona Attractions Passport may apply their associated discount code during ticket purchase.
- During checkout at the kiosks or on the website, visitors will see a field labeled “Discount/Voucher Code” on the Available Products/Shuttle Tickets screen.
- Passport holders may enter their provided code in this field.
- The discount code is recognized at both the on-site kiosks and the online ticketing platform—so long as eligibility applies.
$50 Gift Cards
A $50 Sabino Canyon Crawler gift card is available for purchase.
- Gift cards may be purchased:
- At on-site kiosks, or
- Through the Sabino Canyon Crawler website
- Gift cards appear as a separate option on the Available Products/Shuttle Tickets screen labeled “$50 Dollar Gift Card.”
To complete purchase, visitors will be asked to provide:
- An email address
- A phone number
- A debit or credit card
After purchase, a reference code is issued. This code may be used to deduct value from the gift card during future ticket purchases.
Hutch’s Pool Hikers (Multi-Day Ticket Use Exception)
Visitors hiking to Hutch’s Pool are granted a limited exception to standard ticket time restrictions.
- Hutch’s Pool is accessed by hiking past Stop 9 on the Sabino Canyon Road Trail via Sabino Trail #23, which connects to the Arizona Trail System (#24).
- Hutch’s Pool includes designated camping areas near a large basin, and overnight stays are permitted.
Ticket Use Exception
- Hutch’s Pool hikers are the only group permitted to use a previously purchased Sabino Canyon shuttle ticket on a later date, beyond the original scheduled departure day.
- In these cases, tickets purchased for an earlier date may be honored upon return from Hutch’s Pool.
Return Pickup Options
Hutch’s Pool hikers may be picked up:
- At Stop 9 on the Sabino Canyon Road Trail when returning toward the Visitor Center, or
- At Bear Canyon Stop 3 (the road trail roundabout) if returning via the Arizona Trail System (#24A)
Visitors returning from Hutch’s Pool should notify the driver that they are returning from an overnight hike so their ticket may be recognized accordingly.
Notes
- Outside of the Hutch’s Pool exception, shuttle tickets remain date-and time-specific.
- All pickups remain subject to space availability at the time of arrival.
Sabino Canyon Partner Organizations
The Sabino Canyon Crawler is a concessionaire that provides emissions-free transportation via an electric shuttle along the Sabino Canyon Road Trail, as well as shuttle bus transportation along the Bear Canyon Road Trail.
The electric Crawler shuttle offers guided, narrated interpretive programming during the Sabino Canyon Tour.
The Sabino Canyon Crawler service is owned and operated by the Regional Partnering Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization administered through Pima Association of Governments (PAG), the region’s metropolitan planning organization for transportation, air quality, and water quality planning.
The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located on land within Coronado National Forest, which is managed under the stewardship of the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the U.S. Forest Service.
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists is a long-standing volunteer organization that partners with the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest.
For more than 40 years, the Volunteer Naturalists have provided:
- Educational programs for children and adults
- Guided walks, hikes, and demonstrations
- Interpretive outreach focused on ecology, wildlife, geology, and conservation
- Stewardship support for the recreation area
Their programs help deepen visitor understanding of Sabino Canyon’s natural and cultural resources and complement Forest Service education efforts.
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists is a long-standing volunteer organization that partners with the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest.
For more than 40 years, the Volunteer Naturalists have provided:
- Educational programs for children and adults
- Guided walks, hikes, and demonstrations
- Interpretive outreach focused on ecology, wildlife, geology, and conservation
- Stewardship support for the recreation area
Their programs help deepen visitor understanding of Sabino Canyon’s natural and cultural resources and complement Forest Service education efforts.
The Friends of Sabino Canyon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve, protect, and enhance the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Their work includes fundraising in support of:
- Trail maintenance
- Facility improvements
- Educational initiatives
- Research and stewardship efforts
Donations to Friends of Sabino Canyon may be made inside the Visitor Center, near the gift shop, using the designated donation deposit box.