Chuck Huckelberry Loop Voted Best Recreational Trail

TUCSON, AZ — Tucsonans have a lot of pride in the area's natural beauty and USA Today just gave them one more reason to be proud of their hometown.

The Chuck Huckelberry Loop was just voted the best recreational trail in the country in USA Today's 2021 “10Best Readers’ Choice” travel award competition. The Loop was initially nominated by the newspaper and 10Best.com, along with other experts and media sources, but it was fan votes that pushed it to the top of the list, according to a news release from Pima County.

“Receiving this designation is an honor to all of the county departments who have had a hand in the life of The Loop and a testament to its growing popularity nationwide,” Deputy County Administrator Carmine DeBonis, Jr said in a statement. “We are proud to call The Loop ours and look forward to the increased recognition, tourism and economic benefits this designation will bring to our region.”

The Loop was followed by the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in Austin, Texas, the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Taylors, South Carolina, and Ke Ala Hele Makalae in Kauai, Hawaii to round out the top five.

The Loop was the only Arizona trail to make the list.

Measuring approximately 136 miles, The Loop is longest public recreation, multi-use path in the country, the county said. It's a system of paved pathways and bike lanes located along several waterways. It was built by the county's Regional Flood Control District and is maintained by the Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department. It was named in honor of Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, who had a hand in its development.

According to the county, The Loop is a major visitor attraction and strengthens the local economy.