Attractions & Activities

Attractions & Activities

Ideally situated in Southern Arizona, Tubac provides numerous activities for young and old alike.

Golf in Tubac

For many, golf is a way of life, and Santa Cruz County offers a phenomenal year-round golf opportunity.  The Tubac Golf Resort and Spa’s, 27-hole golf course, is impeccably well kept and challenging for all levels.  Established in 1959, the course was initially designed by legendary architect Robert “Red” Lawrence. Bing Crosby served as Chairman of the Board of the newly built golf course.  Aside from its beautiful setting along the perimeter of the Santa Cruz River, the course is also the site of the filming of the 1996 movie, Tin Cup, and that infamous swing.  There is no wonder why it is often referred to as the “Jewel of Southern Arizona Golf.”

 

Outdoor Activities

Tubac and Santa Cruz County are a pedestrian, hiking, and bicycling friendly community.  Country roads facilitate biking treks. 

The Anza Trail begins at either the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum or the Tumacácori National Historical Park. Either way, the 4-mile trek between parks takes the hiker through a rare and vibrant desert riparian region. The trail is mostly level with a few traverses across the Santa Cruz River that occasionally result in a wet foot. There is no shuttle service between the two parks, so if you want to make it a one-way hike, leave a car at your end destination. Always be prepared and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and hats.

Dark Sky

Nearby Tumacacori National Historical Park became the 100th Designated International Dark Sky Place in 2018.  You will experience a brilliant view of the night sky and stars without the interference of commercial lighting.  Visit Dark Sky to get up to the minute Tubac weather information. Dark Sky’s surprisingly accurate to-the-minute forecasts for Tubac will alert you of what you need to know to enjoy all seasons in Tubac – most especially the fascinating monsoon season.  Every season in Tubac is incredible and will open your spirit to the beauty of existence in this historic Village and its pristine environment.

Picnicking

Picnic grounds are available inside the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum and is an excellent spot to enjoy a break. There are also picnic tables at the Anza Trail trailhead, the Ron Morriss County Park (east end of Calle Iglesia), and on the park grounds behind the Tubac Community Center at 50 Bridge Road.

Las Lagunas de Anza

An amazing fresh water wetland site, a natural marsh, a mix of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems is just 15 minutes south of Tubac.  The site hosts trails and signage pointing to historical events and birding.  There are also picnic grounds and a discovery garden.  More than 200 species of birds as well as amphibians, reptiles & mammals have been observed at Las Lagunas de Anza.

Madera Canyon

Scenic high desert vistas surround Tubac and the highest of these is nearby Mount Wrightson, accessible through Madera Canyon. Part of the Coronado National Forest, Madera Canyon offers great hiking, birding, mountain biking and picnicking. Accommodations include a campground and a lodge with cabins. Learn more at the website of Friends of Madera Canyon.

Patagonia Lake

Patagonia Lake State Park is just a short southeast 45 minute drive from Tubac. The 265-acre manmade lake nestled in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains offers boating, fishing, bird watching, picnicking, campsites and full RV hookups. The nearby Sonoita Creek State Natural Area preserves a portion of the Sonoita Creek watershed and is Arizona’s first significant Natural Area. Low impact recreation includes hiking, horseback riding and bird-watching.

Peña Blanca Lake

About twenty miles south of Tubac, Peña Blanca Lake is a pleasant spot for hiking, fishing and bird watching. Picnic and lakeside camping sites available. For more information visit Coronado National Forest.

Attractions in Tubac


Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum

Located in Tubac’s Old Town, the park’s museum offers a fascinating look at the history of the Santa Cruz Valley and Arizona’s first printing press. The park is Arizona’s first state park and marks the location of Arizona’s first European settlement. An underground archaeological site displays the adobe presidio ruins. The furnished 1885 Old Schoolhouse, Otero Hall, and Rojas House are all on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Tubac Visitors Center is also located at the state park. 

Tubac Center of the Arts

This intensive gallery fuses the history and the artist community Tubac has become.  The Tubac Center of the Arts, is the focus of Tubac’s artistic events featuring opportunities for artists to exhibit their work, conducts artist workshops, lectures and a performing art season.

Soulistic Healing Center

Relax, Breathe, Rebalance, Re-energize, and Explore the “Art of Living” at this tranquil refuge offering therapeutic copper-ionized pools and a variety of stress-reducing modalities including massage, craniosacral therapy, watsu aqua therapy, Hydro-Pilates classes, reflexology, and sound therapy for a holistic integration of the body, mind, and spirit.

Located on one of the town’s oldest historic sites in the heart of “old Tubac,” this destination health resort spa features Arizona’s only copper-ionized chlorine- and chemical-free therapeutic hot and cold jacuzzi tubs, heated lap pool, and infrared sauna.

Bird Watching in Tubac

A person who enjoys going outdoors to view birds is called a birdwatcher, but more often a twitcher or birder. Regardless of the tag name you prefer, Tubac is on the Central Flyway, one of four bird migration zones in the USA.  Over 350 species stop to rest in Tubac on their way to South America and back.
 
Tubac rests along the Santa Cruz River where the high Sonoran desert scenery mixes with a lush riparian cottonwood forest. This combination creates an exceptional one, for birds and birders seeking many of Southern Arizona’s lesser observed birds. Of special interest for birders is the Anza Trail, which winds a leisurely pace from the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum through the cottonwoods on its way to the Tumacácori National Historical Park.  Las Lagunas de Anza offers bird viewing facilities.  Madera Canyon is also a bird haven and a lucky visitor can enjoy viewing large turkey families roaming free.
 
 

Tumacácori National Historical Park

Located just 4 miles south of Tubac on the East Frontage Road, the Tumacácori National Historical Park is not to be missed. The national park preserves the remains of the Spanish mission church San Jose de Tumacácori and associated cemetery, mortuary chapel, and portions of the convento.  The visitor center and museum display exhibits of its history. The orchard features an incredible combination of fruit trees dating back to Father Kino’s plantation in the late 1600s.

Sonoita-Elgin Wineries

Just a short hour away in beautiful country are southern Arizona’s award winning wineries. A day trip is most enjoyable and opens a new world of incredible wine tasting in the countryside.  Wine tours are available from Tubac.  Distilleries offer unique dry spirits crafted at the wineries.