Between two large sky islands, the Arizona Trail passes through the desert oasis of Cienega Creek Natural Preserve. The area is immediately north of I-10, roughly 25 miles southeast of Tucson. The Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead is the main access point to the trails that explore a lush riparian ecosystem in the middle of the arid Sonoran Desert. The protected site covers over 4,000 acres of the desert oasis, covering about 12 miles of land along the creek. Thanks to its unique habitat, it’s home to a large variety of wildlife that depend on the water and the shade from the cottonwood trees for life.