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 travelled 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 centred 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 Harbour 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.
