UPDATE 10/30/2023: A new Tortolita Preserve Trailhead parking lot is now open to the public.
The parking area is located at the southeast corner of the preserve where Moore Road intersects with Wild Burro Road.
This first phase of the Tortolita Preserve Improvement Project was finished last week. Work is now expected to begin on the second phase to install the wildlife fencing along the west boundary of the Tortolita Preserve.
New parking lot and cattle guard in the Tortolita Preserve
Tortolita Preserve Improvement Project
MARANA- Change is coming to the Tortolita Preserve! The Town of Marana project includes the construction of a trailhead parking area at the southeast corner of the preserve where Moore Road intersects with Wild Burro Road.
This parking area will include designated spaces for passenger vehicles and equestrian trailers at a location that provides access to the trail system for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. There is also now a 20 foot cattle guard at the entrance of the parking lot.
A seven-foot-tall saguaro was recently moved to a new location nearby as part of the project. Crews carefully moved it about 35 feet from its original location next to some other saguaros.
The contractor is working on the project in two phases. The first phase of construction includes the parking lot and the second phase involves adding approximately three miles of perimeter wildlife fencing along the north, west, and south boundaries of the preserve.
The project is expected to be completed by mid December 2023.
