Camping at Hutch’s Pool in the Sabino Canyon: An Oasis in Tucson
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When most people think of Tucson (or Arizona in general), they think of hot desert weather and rattlesnakes. And this makes sense. But what if I told you there is an amazing oasis located in the heart of the Sabino Canyon, where you can swim and get out of the heat? That place is called Hutch’s Pool.
Located in the Northeastern part of Tucson is Sabino Canyon, where you can enjoy many stunning trails and adventures by hiking or by shuttle. We parked there, hiked through the canyon and camped at Hutch’s Pool on the sand with nobody else around. It was pure bliss.
There are easier ways to arrive at Hutch’s Pool, and you don’t necessarily have to camp there if you don’t want to.
I’ll go over all those details and more in my guide to camping at Hutch’s Pool in Tucson.
Hutch’s Pool Hike: Overview
Who is this Hike Best For?
Tucson is known for its Saguaro Cacti and, most importantly, Saguaro National Park. Besides that, there’s another famous park in Tucson called Sabino Canyon, where one of the most popular hikes in the city is called Seven Falls. I’ll get more into that hike later.
Sabino Canyon reminds me of Zion National Park in Utah because of its shuttle service and hikes like Canyon Overlook.
If you’re looking for something different in Tucson and not your typical Arizona adventure, then Hutch’s Pool is right up your alley!
Hutch’s Pool Hike Details & the Different Routes
Route 1: Hutch’s Pool (shuttle-assisted)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Route type | Out & back |
| Distance | 8.1 mi |
| Elevation gain | 1,151 ft |
| Typical time | 3.5–4 hr |
| Best for | Most hikers / easiest logistics |
| Notes | Shortest way to reach the pool |
Route 2: Hutch’s Pool (via Phoneline connector)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Route type | Out & back (varies) |
| Distance | ~16.1 mi (~8 mi longer than shuttle option) |
| Elevation gain | ~2,100–2,600 ft (varies by segment used) |
| Typical time | ~6.5–9 hr |
| Best for | Big day / training hike |
| Notes | Good “no shuttle” option; longer and more committing |
Hutch’s Pool Camping Video (For Those Who Prefer Video Format)
Everything You Need to Know
There are a few things to know when planning your trip to Hutch’s Pool in the Sabino Canyon. I’ll cover the cost of parking, shuttles and add-ons.
Parking at Sabino Canyon Recreation
If you have a car or are planning on renting one, then I suggest parking at Sabino Canyon. Make sure to get there early because parking can fill up fast!
Parking costs $8 per day or $10 for the week. You can purchase parking passes in advance on their website here.
Other national park passes also qualify for parking here, like the ‘America the Beautiful Pass’. Just make sure you place your tickets/passes on your dashboard.
Shuttle
What makes Sabino Canyon unique is its shuttle bus service. A round-trip ticket to the trailhead for Hutch’s Pool will cost $15 and starts at 9:00 am.
It’s also possible to hop on and off as we did. We hiked there, camped, and then hopped on the shuttle to head back, which cost us $8 each.
These are the prices for Sabino Canyon but if you’re looking for only Bear Canyon shuttles, then that will be half the cost. Hop on will be dependent on the availability of seats.
You can purchase tickets in advance here. Another great resource for information is the Sabino Canyon Hike Run website.
Things to Bring
This area of the United States is not typical terrain or weather. Hiking in a desert is a unique experience but it’s important to be prepared!
Below are some of the things I suggest bringing with you, depending on whether you plan on camping or just hiking to the pool:
- Hiking Boots
- Grayl Water Filter
- Sun Screen
- Hiking Hat
- Nemo OSMO Lightweight Tent
- Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack
My Experience Hiking and Camping at Hutch’s Pool in Tucson
We did this hike in the middle of April, which made it a great day for us but it wasn’t the coolest day either. Always bring enough water with you and extra if you can. We brought around 3 liters of water each with us for this one-day/night trek.
Parking at Sabino Canyon
It was around 9:30 am when we arrived at the parking lot. We were able to find a parking spot at the main parking lot but it was filling up quickly.
From here, we went inside the Visitor Center just to ask a few questions about the water situation and anything else we needed to know.
We had an America the Beautiful pass, so we put that on our dashboard and started down the Bear Canyon Trail before going on the Phoneline Trail.
The First Stretch (Easy Cruising + Scenery)
Thankfully, Bear Canyon Trail is nice and flat, which made it a warm-up for us before we reached the more challenging sections.
After crossing the bridge that spans Sabino Creek, we hopped on the Phoneline Trail, which starts immediately to the left of the road.
The beginning of that trail is where most of the incline during this hike will be. It starts to flatten out more once you get to the area overlooking the canyon and the Upper Sabino Canyon Road.
Phoneline Trail + Views Down into the Canyon
The views along the Phoneline Trail were stunning. This is the section where my favorite photos were taken, as I could really grasp the feeling of hiking alongside the canyon with Saguaro cacti surrounding us.
This trail is long and with the sun beating down on us, it felt even longer than it actually was.
We didn’t see many people on this trail and a few times saw the shuttle down below on the road. The same shuttle that we would inevitably take back to the visitor center the following day.
AZ Trail to Hutch’s Pool
Once the road ends, the Sabino Canyon trail begins. We stayed on this trail for another 2.5 miles before taking a left on the West Fork Sabino Canyon Trail. This trail is part of the AZ Trail.
It was only another 1.5 miles until we reached the oasis. The trail leading here wasn’t too difficult and was a mix of open and some shaded sections.
Camping at Hutch’s Pool
We knew we had made it to the pools as we were greeted by sounds of trickling water and sand. It’s something that you don’t think exists in a desert environment but we loved it.
There are a few different areas where you can set up a tent and camp. We were one of two groups that camped overnight here. Since we arrived first, we took the spot closest to the pool itself.
We swam in the pool, cooked dinner, and took in the scenery. It was a great feeling of relaxation that I hope everyone gets to enjoy at some point in their life.
Hiking Back & Taking the Shuttle
After a wonderful night camping at the pool, we woke up, ate breakfast and headed back down to where the last shuttle in the Sabino Canyon is expected to be.
It’s around four miles back down to that spot that ends with a handful of switchbacks down into the canyon at the shuttle stop. This part of the hike went by quickly.
When the shuttle arrived, a bunch of people got off to check out the scenery. We were nervous there wouldn’t be a spot for us to hop on at but ultimately we paid $8 each to the driver and headed back to the visitor center.
What Makes Hutch’s Pool So Special?
This hike and camping at the pool was one of my favorite experiences while living in Tucson. It’s something that I will go back to do over and over again.
The Views and Serenity
If you’re looking for stunning canyon views, Saguaro cacti for days and a relaxing (and cooling) sleep at an oasis, then this hike is for you.
Depending on when you go, you’ll be alone in nature and there’ll be multiple opportunities to capture amazing photos with your camera.
Add-Ons
This hike is located in the Coronado National Forest, which offers many other amazing hikes as well.
If you’re an experienced hiker and want to make this hike even more challenging, then adding on Seven Falls is possible to do.
Follow my Seven Falls guide and then you’ll want to stay on this trail and stay left at the first fork. Once you arrive at the Sycamore Saddle, you’ll take the left on the East Fork Trail.
Keep following the East Fork trail until you reach the West Fork Trail, which will lead you straight to the pools.
Other Hikes in Tucson
Here are some other day hikes in Tucson that can help you prepare for the 2-day/1-night hike to the pool.
Other Tips for Hutch’s Pool in Tucson
Best Time to Hike
The best time to hike (and camp) at Hutch’s Pool in the Sabino Canyon would be either during March & April or September through November. Both of these time frames will see cooler temperatures, with the best possibility for water flow.
It might be an obvious statement to say you shouldn’t be doing a long hike like this during the summer months, as temperatures are regularly in the 100s+ but I just wanted to put that out there still.
Go Early
I always suggest hiking earlier in the morning than waiting till the afternoon to start a hike in Tucson. Going early will also help with parking and having fewer people on the trail.
Best Places to Stay in Tucson
- Graduate Tucson: If you’re looking for a nice hotel with a view, then this is your top choice.
- Hotel McCoy: One of the most unique hotels in Tucson, this is an art lover’s dream.
- Holiday Inn: You can’t go wrong with this one and especially the free breakfast.
FAQs
Can You Swim at Hutch’s Pool?
Yes, you can absolutely swim at Hutch’s Pool in Tucson. Anything like this is at your own risk because the water isn’t monitored but it was a refreshing treat after a strenuous hike!
Are Dogs Allowed?
Dogs are not allowed at Hutch’s Pool or along the trail.
Do You Need the Shuttle?
Taking a shuttle isn’t necessary to reach the pools but you might want to take it on the way back to the visitor center, as we did.
How Hard is the Hike to Hutch’s Pool?
I would consider this hike between moderate and hard. This depends on which route you take and the time of year you go. If you decide to take our route and hike with camping gear, it could be more difficult in some sections than you might think.
Overall, this is a doable hike for most physically active individuals.
Final Thoughts
These types of hikes are what made me fall in love with Tucson. There are so many different adventures to go on and this one is at the top of the list. What’s great about hiking to Hutch’s Pool is that there are many different ways to do it. The easiest way would be to take a shuttle to the end of Sabino Canyon Road, hike, and then take the next shuttle. Then there’s our route and many others. I highly suggest anyone who is looking for a unique adventure in Tucson to check this one out!
