Marana

Travel Guide

Photo provided by The Golf Club at Dove Mountain/Discover Marana
Photo provided by Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center/Discover Marana
Photo provided by Desert Tortoise/Discover Marana
Photo provided by The Gallery Golf Club; photo by Pure in Art/Discover Marana
Photo provided by Ignite at The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain/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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Heritage Highlands

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Heritage Highlands and surrounding area, you can visit Gallery Golf Club and Golf Club at Dove Mountain.

Heritage Highlands
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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
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

5 out of 5
15000 N Secret Springs Drive, Marana, AZ
The price is CA $334 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
CA $334
CA $477 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Marana. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (583 reviews)
"It was an amazing stay! We will be back."

Reviewed on Jul. 11, 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
3 Palms Tucson North Foothills

3 Palms Tucson North Foothills

3 out of 5
7411 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ
The price is CA $65 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
CA $65
CA $80 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,036 reviews)
"Great value."

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

3 Palms Tucson North Foothills
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 CA $101 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
CA $101
CA $119 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Tucson. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,758 reviews)
Tuscon gem found at McCoy hotel
"After a brief issue with the room and floor cleaning, it was great. The hotel is very cool. The staff was fabulous. I was very grateful they were abke to accommodate my request for a room change. They give out drink vouchers for their nice little bar. That and tgeir sweet pool area, helped relieve ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

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.
Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge

Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge

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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (750 reviews)
"The property is in a beautiful location with nice exterior grounds. The buildings and rooms are pretty dated but clean and comfortable. The little kitchens in the rooms are very minimal. They could be much better appointed with more dishes and better fridges with real freezers. The pools are nice ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

Ventana Canyon Club and Lodge
Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**

Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**

Tucson
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Tucson Mall and Tucson Botanical Gardens are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
Trip to Tucson 2025
"The Casita was perfect. Clean, great space for the two of us. Well decorated. Loved the yard full of cacti. We visit Tucson regularly and will stay here every time if available."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Private Southwestern Style Casita with Lush & Fully fenced Lush Yard**
Canyon Ranch Hacienda is next to Canyon Ranch Resort & residence

Canyon Ranch Hacienda is next to Canyon Ranch Resort & residence

Tucson
Stay at this vacation home in Tucson. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Sabino Canyon and Arizona National Golf Club are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
"It was an incredible stay, very good communication, the house was in perfect condition, clean, when we arrived everything was ready. I loved spending my birthday in this house, I thank you so much to my host."

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2025

Canyon Ranch Hacienda is next to Canyon Ranch Resort & residence
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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