Maiden Pools
Tucson, Arizona
| Address: | 6532 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA |
| GPS: |
32°20'31.4"N 110°51'21.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.0-1.2 mi |
Rivers Rocks
Hike, Rock Climb, and Swim
Over the course of time, the Ventana Stream has exposed the canyon’s base granite, and then smoothed and formed into a series of small pools -- now called the Maiden Pools. With the sounds of trickling water, and the beauty of the desert scenery, this a great spot to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the setting.
To reach Maiden Pools, one can hike up Ventana Canyon trail 2.4 miles. The trail crosses a creek bed several times as it traverses the narrow canyon bottom. The pools can be found on the other side of a steep hill, and will fill after rainfall and snowmelt, making late winter and spring the best time to visit. Alongside the pools are large rocks where one can relax, maybe enjoy a picnic. Some of the pools have oak trees providing both beauty and shade.
Climbing along the rocks will allow access to Ventana Falls, or other pools along the river.
Though the hike is free, there is a $7 park entrance fee. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and keep an eye on the weather to avoid either the extreme summer heat or the risk of flash floods.
More Information
16 Best Waterfalls (and the hikes to them) near Tucson, Arizona
Everything you need to know about hiking or backpacking to the most amazing wilderness points of interest and the trails you’ll hike to get there.
https://blog.trailvoyant.com/2016/10/16-best-waterfalls-and-hikes-to-them.htmlArizona Calendar of Events | Visit Arizona
Find events and attractions in Arizona with our event calendar.
https://www.visitarizona.com/eventsTom’s Hiking Pages
And as of November, 2022 - here is a comprehensive plan from the Forest Service for trails in the Catalinas. Everybody I know was caught off guard by this, even those “well connected” with friends in the FS. They claim that they are seeking public comment, but by the time anything gets this polished, you know they are going to press ahead to do whatever they have already decided, and the “public comment” is just a formality they are forced to endure:
http://cholla.mmto.org/hiking/tucson/catalinas/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Tucson, Arizona
- Head west on E Broadway Blvd toward S Country Club Rd (39 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto N Country Club Rd (1.0 mi)
- Turn right onto E Speedway Blvd (3.0 mi)
- Turn left onto N Craycroft Rd (3.6 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on N Craycroft Rd (3.8 mi)
- Turn left onto N Canyon Crest DrRestricted usage road(0.9 mi)
Other Rock Climbing Walls, Swimming Holes, and Hiking Trails Nearby
Hutch's Pool
Tucson, Arizona
2.9 miles SEA famous desert pool in Sabino Canyon — 8 miles round trip from the trailhead, plus up to 8 more if you walk from the visitor center — with spectacular desert views the entire way.
Hike, Swim 1.3-3.5 mi
Seven Falls
Tucson, Arizona
3.0 miles SESeven Falls crosses a stream seven times through Bear Canyon before arriving at pools best visited in late winter when snowmelt keeps the water flowing strong.
Hike, Swim 1.4-1.8 mi
Romero Pools
Tucson, Arizona
6.5 miles NWA two-hour canyon hike through Romero Canyon leads to year-round stream-fed pools surrounded by Catalina State Park desert — best enjoyed September through May.
Hike, Swim 1.0 mi
Montrose Pool
Tucson, Arizona
6.5 miles NWA seasonal catchment pool about a mile up the Romero Canyon Trail in Catalina State Park, filling after rainfall — best hiked October through May and dog-friendly to the pool.
Hike, Swim
Seven Cataracts
Tucson, Arizona
7.7 miles EA set of waterfalls deep in Willow Canyon near Tucson, reached by off-trail canyoneering scrambles — visible from the Catalina Highway pulloff after rainfall.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 2.4 mi
Sycamore Reservoir
Tucson, Arizona
7.8 miles EA small lake up in Bear Canyon on Mount Lemmon with a sandy shore and a dam that creates a small waterfall — best hiked in fall, winter, or spring, when the desert foliage is at its most striking.
Hike, Swim 1.2 mi
La Milagrosa Canyon
Tucson, Arizona
7.9 miles EA hidden canyon east of Tucson with rock-climbing walls and a seasonal waterfall pooling into swim basins — best after fall or winter rain, with boulder scrambling required.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, Swim 3.6 mi
Lemmon Pools
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
8.3 miles NEA steep, rocky 8.5-mile trek through the Wilderness of Rocks to hidden pools tucked in the Santa Catalinas.
Hike, Swim
Cactus Forest Trail
Tucson, Arizona
12.6 miles SEA flat, multi-use 2.5-mile desert trail through old-growth saguaros and cholla in Saguaro National Park East — welcoming to hikers, horses, and bikes, with the Rincon Mountains as a stunning backdrop.
Hike, Mountain Bike 0.5 mi
Tanque Verde Falls
Tucson, Arizona
12.7 miles SEWaterfalls and pools in Tanque Verde Canyon reachable on a short hike — but this site has about 30 deaths since 1971 from flash flooding and cliff jumping. Check weather carefully and use extreme caution.
Hike, Swim 4.4 mi
Chiva Falls
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
13.7 miles EA desert waterfall tucked in Coronado National Forest, best reached by mountain bike or motorized vehicle on rocky double-track — with a pool at the bottom to cool off in (check depth before diving).
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.2-4.6 mi
Frog's Hollow
Vail, Arizona
16.6 miles EMultiple small pools and shallow waterfalls in a frog-filled Arizona canyon, best in fall through spring after rain — hike via the Arizona or Indian Springs Trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
