This well maintained trail runs along the Santa Cruz river and there are several good access points. Tubac near the Presidio is a good choice. Good birding area with some exotic species possible.
The Anza trail is historically very important to the area. We have cycled parts from Tumacacori to Tubac several times. If you start behind the presidio in Tubac it is well signed and you can go in different directions. We have seem people bicycling, hiking, walking and birding. The Santa Cruz river does in places provide a challenge especially after rain falls.
We visited the trail several times during March and April of 2012 -- the birding is awesome. We met no mosquitoes. Trash problem is very minor -- gets worse sometimes if you leave the beaten path. We saw warblers, flycatchers, raptors, woodpeckers -- a great pleasure to bird. The local birders meet every Tuesday morning at 8 am at the local coffee shop to bird the bridge and the trail. The town of Tubac has some great shops if you like southwestern stuff.
Great for watching birds in season.Easy level trail that is maintained.Fun to hear the Cottonwood tree leaves chattering in the wind.Lots of wildlife sign - footprints, etc.
Due to summer flooding, logs, trash and boards with rusty nails are piled up at the point where the trail crosses the river. Crossing at this time is not recommended. A member of our party fell through the debris sustaining minor injury. Water under the jam is filthy as are the banks of the river in that area.
Quiet flat trail, very few other visitors in the morning, especially at the north end, many varieties of birds in season. If you follow the side trail past the gate into the woods, beware of the cattle. Those bulls get hostile.
The Anza Trail follows the Santa Cruz River Valley from Tubac, Arizona up to Ajo and Tucson area, then off to California. For 10 miles or so around Tubac, you can follow this trail thru lush Cottonwood stands and cattle ranches which attrack a variety of wildlife. The trail runs between the Tumacacori Mts and Santa Rita Mts ranges. The trail is well preserved for this 10 mile stretch. Park at the Tumacacori State Park for easy access to the trail.
Besides having a wonderful historic value to the area, it is beautiful. There are birds, water, beautiful mesquite bosques and enormous cotton wood trees. It is a wonderful walk, not just through history, but through an area you won't find in very many places. The walk is not arduous and so families and a variety of generations can hike or stroll.
I saw a vermilion flycatcher within minutes of starting on the trail outside of tubac. They are hard to miss-brighter red than a cardinal. It's a very peaceful trail with glimpses of the Santa Cruz River leading from Tubac to Tumacacori.
We finally found the trail and once on it had no trouble following it. However, there were no maps available to judge access points or distances and it is clearly a trail that locals prefer to keep to themselves. The habitat was interesting and fairly birdy but I'm not sure a midsummer hike would be as productive. There are no restrooms or even designated parking areas.