As you probably already know, Tucson is the winner of numerous awards related to bicycling, running, hiking, and the outdoor lifestyle. Our city is a place of endless sunshine, wide open spaces, and many months of potential leisure activities. Tucson also boasts over 130 miles of paved pathways and bike lanes, which connect the entire city. These paths are part of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop (or "The Loop," for short).
The Loop provides a car-free way to get around the city, enjoying nature and magnificent mountain views as you get from here to there.
New to The Chuck Huckelberry Loop? This guide will provide everything you need to know to start biking, walking, jogging, running, skateboarding, or horseback riding around town.
The Loop extends 131 miles through unincorporated Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley, Tucson, and South Tucson.
There are over 50 parking lots around the loop. Parking is free in most of these lots. You can print a PDF copy of a map to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop here.
The entire loop is open from dawn to dusk. Use of The Loop during nighttime hours is not permitted.
This is one of the best aspects of The Loop! Hop on your bike or grab your running shoes...and you'll be able to get to parks, splash pads, restaurants, hotels, shopping areas, libraries, entertainment venues - perhaps even your workplace or school!
Here is a very brief list of some of the places you can access from The Chuck Huckelberry Loop:
You can view numerous destinations - as well as restrooms, ramadas, and benches along the route - in Pima County's Interactive Map.
Absolutely! Bicycling is probably the most common use of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop, although you will also find runners, joggers, and horseback riders enjoying the paths.
Cyclists are advised to yield to pedestrians, to keep their speed at a reasonable level, and to announce their passing with a bell or other signal. Cyclists should ride two abreast (at most) and, as is the case with all trail users, ought to stay to the right of the centerline at all times except when passing.
Yes! You will want to be sure that your horse will be comfortable around whizzing bicycles, families with strollers, and groups of joggers.
Of course! Prepare for a perfect day in the Tucson sunshine with light layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water.
Yes!
Yes. Pets are permitted, but please be sure to properly clean up and dispose of any waste. Note also that pets must be leashed (less than 6 feet) and may not cross the centerline, staying to the right at all times.
No. The Loop is a multi-use path and is heavily used by pedestrians; therefore, for safety purposes, no motorized vehicles or devices are allowed. (ADA accessibility and official vehicles are exempt.)
The Loop moves between the city of Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, and unincorporated sections at various locations along the path. In September 2018, the city passed an ordinance, #11582, relating to electric bicycles. The ordinance permits riding an electric bicycle on shared-use paths under the jurisdiction of the city of Tucson. However, the sections of the Loop within the City of Tucson incorporated limits and in unincorporated Pima County are under the management authority of Pima County and the Pima County Regional Flood Control District and the use of electric bikes on the path is prohibited as declared on the Loop Guideline signage.
In addition, Arizona Revised Statute 28-819 addresses electric bicycles and electric standup scooters. It notes that an operator of an electric bicycle is granted all the rights and privileges and is subject to all of the duties of a person riding a bicycle. However, it also states that "a local authority or agency of this state having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multiuse path may prohibit the operation of a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle on the path." That is what Pima County has chosen to do for the safety of all users.
Applying this guideline for all stretches of the Loop retains a level of needed consistency and promotes the safety and well-being of all users.
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disabled person as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, one who has a history or record of such impairment, or one who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. Pima County’s Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation oversees maintenance of the Loop. Loop Guidelines are intended to set the “motorized vehicle or device” standard at that legally-determined “disabled person” level so as to create an unambiguous statement of Departmental intent that motorized device use on the Loop is only authorized if the user believes that they possess a condition that meets this legally-defined standard.
The goal of NRPR is to be as inclusive of all users as possible on The Loop while retaining the necessary element of safety for everyone using The Loop whether on foot, horseback, or on wheeled devices. This would include allowing Loop users to utilize select electric motorized devices if they can prove a “demonstrable medical need.” An example would be a user who is temporarily rehabilitating from knee surgery or who is otherwise in chronic pain due to a documented medical condition. NRPR recommends that any Loop user carry sufficient documentation of their medical condition which necessitates use of a motility device.
Therefore, if a user believes that his or her condition would either constitute a disability under federal ADA definition, or otherwise meet the definition of demonstrated medical condition as outlined herein, and he/she possesses documentation of that condition, then it should be acceptable to use a motorized motility assistance device under the published Loop guidelines.
The entire trail is marked via GIS mapping on the Pima County-Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Loop Interactive map.
This map has many fields and features including mile markings down to .25 miles. Part of the problem with physically marking all stretches of the Loop is the fact it follows several water courses (Santa Cruz, Rillito, CDO, Julian Wash, Pantano, etc.) in several jurisdictions (Marana, Oro Valley, City of Tucson, City of South Tucson, Pima County). Likewise, many sections of the path are only on one side, not both sides, of the riverbed. The Loop Advisory Committee meets several times a year and has continued to debate the topic of marking the path.
Common guidelines are that you should "stay to the right" and "pass on the left" - regardless of your mode of travel. Note that you should not walk, bike, or run to the left of the centerline unless you are passing someone ahead of you. If you are enjoying the outdoors with a group, be sure not to crowd the path and stay to the right of the centerline.
Yes. There are 15+ restrooms along the path, as well as 20+ parks along the route with facilities.
Yes. You will find trash cans at numerous stops and trails along the route. Be sure to properly dispose of all trash in these containers and do not litter along the paths. Together, we can keep Tucson clean and beautiful!
Camping is not permitted along The Chuck Huckelberry Loop.
No. The City of Tucson and Pima County do not allow any commercial activity along the Loop unless a special permit is granted.
Chuck Huckelberry is a civil engineer and the current County Administrator of Pima County. He has been an advocate of The Loop since the 1980s. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted in 2018 to name The Loop in his honor.
Here are some things to keep in mind before you go:
* For other ideas of things to do around Tucson, be sure to subscribe to our FREE This Week In Tucson newsletter and to like TucsonTopia on Facebook.
