Kentski Loc: Michigan

I might be going to the Tucson area in the near future. Any recommendations on good photography spots to visit in southern Arizona?

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

The Sonora Desert Museum (I might be a bit off on the title) is a great place to visit. Allow a few hours to visit since there are plenty of trails as well as inside buildings. Right outside of Tucson.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Also don't forget old Tucson it’s a working movie site and Saguaro National Monument and also visit San Xavier and if you have time go up to Mt Lemon, Sabino Canyon lots of beautiful places along the way to take pictures.

Kentski Loc: Michigan

Thanks guys,

I'll make sure to add these to my itinerary!

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

Take a day and go to Tombstone Az. Not a very far drive from Tucson.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

The San Xavier del Bac Mission, Tumacácori National Historical Park, (another mission), Mt Lemon highway has some great pullouts where you can see some grand vistas and the Ponderosa Pine, the second largest tree in the world, as well as some great waterfalls (be sure to be there during the golden hour for some fantastic shadows). It is about a one hour drive up the mountain to a small town named Summerhaven. Tombstone is only about an hours drive from Tucson and they have some great photography opportunities. Aravaipa Canyon is also within an hours drive(Call the park service to see if you can get in.) Old Tucson and the Sonoran Desert Museum are also great suggestions. Saguaro National Park is a great place to shoot some great cactus shots especially Saguaro west if there are clouds will give you a great place to shoot some phenomenal sunsets. Saguaro West, Old Tucson and Sonoran Desert Museum are all on the same road just west of Tucson. There are a bunch of places around Tucson for great photography.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Consider the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun in north Tucson. The grounds are awesome including an open air chapel. For the Saguaro National Park, we visited the East side in the morning thru mid afternoon and then drove across Tucson to get to Signal Hill in the park's west district just about sundown. We didn't tour the aircraft graveyard, but I wish we had.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Don't forget A Mountain to get a high point view of downtown Tucson, gives you a totally different perspective of this City.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

You neglected to say how long you will be there, nor how much time you can/will devote. I lived there for 5 years and didn't find them all.

Start with the Desert Museum. You'll fill the rest of your time in. Be sure to take comfortable walking shoes; LOTS of photo ops!!

Kentski Loc: Michigan

Great suggestions all! I don't think we will be bored.

Thanks

ooofda Loc: Canyon Country, CA

I am a retro 35mm film guy.
I lived in Tucson for several years and spent my free time
shooting film and exploring the State.
All of the mentioned locations will be very good.
I must say the the Desert Museum is the first place I would
go. You'll see animals and flowers in abundence.
The Saguaro National Park is split in two, East and West sections are totally different types of desert. The East side
does not have any Saguaro Cactus. The West side does.
The Westside headquarters is located just West of the Desert Museum. A good many roads and footpaths within it's interior.
2 reccomendations. 1] If you're shooting film you want 50 Gold. 2] If you're there in the late winter/early spring bring a good tape recorder. Around dusk the desert cools off and the Birds begin to sing. It can be very metaphysical.
If you have a free day go to Bisbee. You can get some fantastic fotos there.
I must say that Arizona was created for photography, both color and black and white.
There are natural colors I've never seen elsewhere. During
rain showers around dusk and dawn you'll find this rose hue
in the gentle rains and you can catch it on film.
O well gotta go.
Aloha

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Highly recommend 'Mt. Lemon. In a brief drive you go through several several ecological zones, and the plant and animal life change dramatically. If you're into birds, you will see several different species of hummingbirds, depending on the zone.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

EEEEEE--HA! I'm heading there next month, and you can bet I'm going to school on this list of suggestions. UHH, you're the best!

ShadowWolf Loc: Tucson

If you like photographing raptors the Desert Museum has two raptor shows a day. One at 10 AM and one at 2 PM. The birds fly around and you can get some pics of them. They also have a short fly around for those who want to take pics after everyone else has moved on. Tombstone and old tucson are tourist traps, but they do offer photo ops. Pima Air Museum is also an interesting place.

ooofda Loc: Canyon Country, CA

The raptors are great.
But my favourite bird was the Mexican Parrots with the huge tails.
Watching the Riparian environment also. From chukwallas
to otters.
Also the Desert feline exhibits.
You may need more than 1 day at the Desert Museum.

You'll be blown away by the flowering plants.

You'll find that the Sonoran Desert is quite vegetated. Not like the Chihuahuan or Mojave Deserts.