Sweetwater Wetlands Park

You do not have to drive far from the city to enjoy the great outdoors. Located just 5 miles outside of Tuscon, this park is blanketed in 15-acres of marshy wetlands, dewy-eyed ponds, and cottonwood forests. As you walk along the nature trails, you will encounter a variety of birds, butterflies, and even alligators nestling in the lush habitats around you. Land birds like Vermilion Flycatchers and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers are pretty standard, although shorebirds like ducks, cranes, and cormorants can also be seen congregated in the ponds and wetlands. The park has 3.5-miles of trails and boardwalks that wind through the park. Grab a spot at one of the viewing platforms to see what creatures you can see flying or lurking around you.