Marana

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center/Discover Marana
Known as the Gateway to Southern Arizona, this town is a hotspot for desert adventurers, stargazers, intrepid photographers and mountain hikers.

Tread upon a breathtaking landscape that has been traveled and enjoyed by humans for over 4,000 years in Marana, the town that crests Southern Arizona. Find history around every corner and scenery that begs to be explored in this stunning desert region, where the Tortolita and Silverbell mountain ranges shelter the lush agricultural basin of the Santa Cruz Valley.

The Marana community is centered in the heart of a lush farming region of the same name. Check out the community’s Santa Cruz River Path and Heritage Park to see the pretty town from a local’s perspective. The Santa Cruz River is the lifeblood of the Marana community, supplying the agricultural region with the desert’s most precious resource.

Rent a bike and explore the pastoral roads that ring the town. In fall, you’ll be treated to views of a vast blanket of white as the local farmers begin their cotton harvest. If it’s wintertime, Marana and its surrounding region offer some of the best stargazing around. The crisp nights and lack of bright city lights means that you can clearly see a wonderful array of constellations.

Summers in Marana bring more turbulent weather to the desert, so grab your camera and capture photographs of storm clouds brewing over saguaro cacti plains. Check out Tortolita Mountain Park and explore the rugged ranges on foot, by bike or on horseback.

The attractions and shopping malls of Tucson are within easy reach of Marana. Go to Tucson Premium Outlets for a wide range of outlet stores. Have a deluxe resort experience at the Ritz-Carlton on Dove Mountain and enjoy the resort’s golf and spa facilities.

Marana is located 40-minutes’ drive northwest of Tucson. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is less than 90-minutes’ drive away. This region is best explored at your own pace by car. Stunning desert reserves, such as Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain Park, Tonto National Park and the Santa Catalina Natural Area can all be reached within a few hours’ drive from Marana.

Where to stay in Marana

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Dove Mountain

If you're spending some time in Dove Mountain, Golf Club at Dove Mountain and Gallery Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Dove Mountain
Early morning ride in the desert for breakfast amongst the Saguaro Cactus
#troveontuesday

Picture Rocks

You might make a stop by Saguaro National Park while you're exploring Picture Rocks.

Picture Rocks
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Sky Ranch

Though Sky Ranch might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like El Conquistador Golf Course and Tucson Premium Outlets.

Sky Ranch
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Quail Crossing

Quail Crossing might not have many top sights, but Gallery Golf Club and Golf Club at Dove Mountain are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Quail Crossing
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Skyranch

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Skyranch and surrounding area, you can visit El Conquistador Golf Course and Tucson Premium Outlets.

Skyranch
3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
3 out of 5
7411 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P3,088 per night from 12 Jun to 13 Jun
P3,088
per night
12 Jun - 13 Jun
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,855 reviews)
"Easy access and easy way to check in."

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
5 out of 5
15000 N Secret Springs Drive, Marana, AZ
The price is P11,678 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
P11,678
per night
5 Jul - 6 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Marana. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 5 restaurants. Popular attractions Golf Club at Dove Mountain and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (517 reviews)
"First class all the way in service and atmosphere. Golf courses are pretty tough but lots of roadrunners, javelina , hawks and coyotes to look at too. Not cheap but well worth it for a 2- or 3-day golf or get away trip."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
3 out of 5
720 W. Silverlake Road, Tucson, AZ
The price is P5,516 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
P5,516
per night
5 Jun - 6 Jun
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,196 reviews)
"The Hotel McCoy is a sweet little island of serenity in a rough area of Tucson. Thank you for rehabilitating this space and creating and managing such a peaceful vibe."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024

Hotel McCoy - Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
4 out of 5
6200 N Club House Ln, Tucson, AZ
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (668 reviews)
Great couple getway
"We absolutely loved our stay wished we could've stayed longer. Room was large, felt like we had our own apartment. Kitchen, dining table, sofas, amazing bathroom with tub! With couple robes, and king size bed. We cant wait to come back we felt so fancy here plus the mountain fews!"

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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