Top Day Trips Near Dove Mountain
With bright, sunny skies and mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s, winter is the perfect season to explore Southern Arizona’s rich heritage and natural beauty. Living at Dove Mountain places you at the heart of it all, with easy access to nearby destinations offering a perfect mix of history, artistry and adventure — ideal for unforgettable day trips and weekend getaways.
Explore Bisbee’s Historic Charm
Located about 2.5 hours southeast of Dove Mountain, Bisbee blends its mining heritage with a vibrant art scene, making it a favorite day or overnight trip for history buffs and culture enthusiasts. Begin your visit by descending into the Copper Queen Mine, where you can explore the tunnels that once fueled the town’s prosperity. Art lovers will find inspiration at the Sam Poe Gallery, showcasing contemporary mixed media works, or the Belleza Fine Art Gallery, known for its diverse regional and international pieces. After a day of exploration, delight in a gourmet dinner at Café Roka, a celebrated Bisbee institution offering inventive seasonal menus. Extend your stay at the 1906 Bisbee Grand Hotel or — if you dare — check-in for the night at the 1902 Copper Queen, Arizona’s longest continuously operating hotel. Reportedly haunted, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has hosted legends like John Wayne, Harry Houdini, Nancy Reagan, Julia Roberts and the late Senator John McCain.
What makes Bisbee’s art scene so unique?
Bisbee’s vibrant art scene thrives on the town’s quirky energy. To take it all in, plan your visit during a Bisbee After 5 art walk, held on the second Saturday of each month. This event invites you to explore galleries, meet the artists behind the works and fully immerse yourself in the town’s creative spirit.
Discover Tubac and Tumacácori
Tubac, Arizona’s oldest European settlement, offers a unique combination of history, art and cultural events just an hour’s drive south of Dove Mountain. Begin your visit at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park to learn about the town’s roots as a Spanish fortified settlement. Plan your trip during the annual Tubac Festival of the Arts (February 5-9, 2025) with live performances, a beer and wine garden and over 200 artists showcasing everything from large-scale sculptures to handcrafted jewelry. For a dining experience as unique as the town itself, Elvira’s offers innovative Mexican cuisine in a dramatically designed space.
Just a short drive from Tubac, you’ll find Tumacácori National Historical Park, home to the ruins of three Spanish missions. Tumacácori offers a serene setting to explore the early fusion of Spanish architecture with Indigenous adobe construction techniques. Take a stroll through the mission grounds and visit the on-site museum, featuring artifacts like pottery, tools and early documents that bring the mission’s past to life. Plan a return visit during December’s annual Fiesta de Tumacácori, which brings heritage to life with traditional crafts, foods and music.
Can I hike between Tubac and Tumacácori?
Yes. The historic Anza Trail connects Tubac and Tumacácori. This 6-mile route follows the path of Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco. The hike typically takes 2-4 hours at a moderate pace, with interpretive signs providing historical context along the way. The trail is also an excellent spot for birding, horseback riding and enjoying wildflowers in spring. Dogs are welcome on leash.
Visit Mission San Xavier del Bac
Known as the “White Dove of the Desert,” Mission San Xavier del Bac is located 40 minutes south of Dove Mountain on Tohono O’odham land. Founded in 1692 and completed in 1797, this meticulously restored masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture features colorful frescoes and intricate carvings blending European and Indigenous artistry. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the mission is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and remains an active church. Visitors can take a self-guided tour or join an in-depth guided experience with Patronato San Xavier. The site also includes a museum and a small gift shop.
What else can you do near Mission San Xavier del Bac?
After touring the complex, treat yourself to heavenly fry bread drizzled with honey or dusted with powdered sugar under the ramadas in front of the church. You can also peruse Native American jewelry and art with a visit to San Xavier Plaza or explore nearby San Xavier Co-op Farm for Native crafts and traditional foods.
Experience Refined Ranch Life
Southern Arizona’s guest ranches blend rugged frontier charm and modern luxury. Both Tanque Verde Ranch and White Stallion Ranch are within an hour of Dove Mountain, easily accessible for an overnight or extended stay. Join a cattle drive across the Sonoran Desert, enjoy gourmet cowboy cookouts and take in the wonder of wide open skies with guided sunrise, sunset and stargazing rides. At White Stallion Ranch, you can even hone your skills in leatherworking by crafting your own rustic belt or bag.
What other activities are available?
From rock climbing to archery, you’ll find much more than riding at these acclaimed guest ranches. For a shot of adrenaline, Tanque Verde Ranch offers jeep adventures and Polaris Slingshot roadster rentals. For a more tranquil experience, unwind at Tanque Verde Ranch’s on-site spa or join watercolor classes and nature hikes through the surrounding desert.
Find Winter Wonder at Mt. Lemmon
For a true winter getaway, keep an eye on our surrounding peaks for the first dusting of snow. Then, ascend Mt. Lemmon’s 9,000+ feet to experience a winter wonderland just an hour from Dove Mountain. As you leave the desert’s warmth to ascend to snow-capped heights, enhance the drive with the Mt. Lemmon Science Tour App (available on iOS or Android), offering an interactive audio guide to the mountain’s natural wonders.
Upon reaching the village of Summerhaven, you’ll find family-friendly activities like skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. Or simply enjoy the quiet stillness of a hike amidst towering pines and fresh-fallen snow.
Wrap up your day with a visit to Mount Lemmon Lodge, where you can enjoy warm meals and hot drinks in a cozy atmosphere. Or take visiting family to Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin for an oversized, delectable homemade treat.
What else can you do on Mt. Lemmon?
Stargazing enthusiasts won’t want to miss The University of Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, home to the 32-inch Schulman Telescope — the largest public telescope in the Southwest. Observe the stars and planets in the clear night sky with this science learning facility’s public tours and evening programs, a must for astronomy buffs and those new to the wonders of the cosmos.
Dove Mountain: Your Gateway to Timeless Adventure
Dove Mountain is where your next adventure begins. With custom homesites, golf-course homes and more flexible home options, Dove Mountain is your ideal base camp for discovering Southern Arizona’s most captivating destinations. Visit us today and explore the finest in Sonoran Desert living. Model homes are open daily.