Back to Student StoriesTake Advantage of AZ’s Perfect Weather
Tips for Getting More Out of the Great Outdoors
With blue skies 350+ days each year, it really is always sunny in Tucson (sorry, Philadelphia). And while much of the country is hunkered down trying to stay warm, Wildcats are getting outside during the best months of the year in Southern Arizona!
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Tucson is surrounded by no less than five mountain ranges that offer plenty of get-back-to-nature-options for hikers of every skill level. Plus, Campus Rec organizes frequent hikes, climbs and paddling opportunities, and overnight trips. Is an urban walkabout more your thing? Festive Fourth Avenue is within easy trekking distance from campus, and has lots of great eateries and local boutiques.
Bear Down and Gear Up
The first stop for almost any outdoorsy adventure has to be Campus Recreation. The Rental Center has a ton of well-maintained equipment to lend, and students pay as little as $3 a day for most items. Need a backpack, paddleboard, sleeping bag, or canoe? Find those things here, along with everything else you had no idea you needed but will be glad you brought along.
Shred a Trail or Loop the Loop
National publications often rank Tucson as one of the best cycling cities in the country, and for good reason. Mountain bikers can tackle nearby trails with telling monikers like Ridgeline, Brown Mountain, Sweetwater and Fantasy Island while the commuter-friendly Tucson “Loop” boasts 131 car-free miles for cycling. Rent a bike from – you guessed it – Campus Rec.
psst….want more information about getting around campus and transportation? Check out our guide to transportation services and commuter hacks.
Join the Club
Get all the perks of outdoor adventure and sports – and make a few friends along the way. There are more than 400 clubs and organizations on campus for skiing and snowboarding, archery, baseball, cheerleading, lacrosse, rodeo, rugby, ultimate (frisbee) and many more. Share your passion for a favorite outdoor activity or explore something completely new.
Hit the Open Road
From Biosphere II to Tombstone to the Grand Canyon, you can get there from here. Point your car in any direction and you’ll find tons of amazing places to explore and experience. Take a day trip: Try the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to get up close and personal with mountain lions and black bears (oh my!), or the San Xavier del Bac Mission, also known as the White Dove of the Desert.
With an average annual temperature of 83.7 degrees, you can bet flip flops are the year-round footwear of choice for many Wildcats – if they aren’t slipping on ski shoes or bike cleats, that is. The thing is, Arizona gives you all this while being one of the top universities in the country according to U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Experience the weather and stay for all the rest! Become a Wildcat.