Parks & Rec
Get Active in Oro Valley
IN THE 36 SQUARE MILES THAT MAKE UP ORO VALLEY, there are plenty of ways to keep you active. From hiking to cycling to running and everything in between, Oro Valley—a sports haven in the Sonoran Desert and just a 10-mile ride from downtown Tucson—is an athlete’s playground.
And you can keep your eyes on the majestic views all the while.
One of the first things you’ll notice about Oro Valley is its location right up against the Santa Catalina Mountains and prominent Pusch Ridge. It’s a backdrop for everything and enriches your experience. Or you can get a closer look and take a hike or grab your mountain bike and tackle the 50 Year Trail from Oro Valley into Catalina State Park.
After working up a sweat, take a dip in Southern Arizona’s premier Oro Valley Aquatic Center, featuring an Olympic-sized pool and a splash pad for kids. Teams from around the world participate in training camps, and USA Synchronized Swimming has hosted multiple events at this competition-level venue. Triathletes come here year-round to train for the swimming portions of their races.
In the center of town, Naranja Park is a popular 213-acre multi-use, family-friendly facility featuring an archery range as well as two dog-walking areas and two courses for walkers/hikers. Bring along your teammates and hit one of the two multi-use fields—with two more on the way—for a game of soccer, rugby, lacrosse, or football.
For more green space, head over to the Oro Valley Community Center. There you’ll find 36 holes of championship golf, 31 lighted tennis courts, swimming pools, dining, and more, all in a picturesque setting.
Photo: Bill Morrow
Thanks to the gorgeous weather coupled with the wide streets, cyclists from all over the world spend time in Southern Arizona—and Oro Valley—throughout the year training for big rides, including the iconic El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol, which travels through about 20 miles of Oro Valley each November.
Other sporting events also make use of Oro Valley’s idyllic location. Holualoa Tucson Marathon and Half-Marathon, a winter staple for runners, passes through the town in December, and the Arizona Distance Classic takes place entirely in Oro Valley each March.
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
When there are places to go and things to do, there’s always a need for nearby accommodations. Oro Valley has them with the El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort; Red Lion Inn & Suites Tucson North; Holiday Inn Express; and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Combined, Oro Valley has more than 770 rooms, including suites.
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