southwest
spring week 2025
March 8-16, 2025
9 Days of Orienteering in southern Arizona!
Southwest Spring Week is an almost-annual tradition in Southern Arizona, taking place in late February or early March and welcoming a mix of both locals and those from colder climates who just want a bit of “O” in the warm desert winter.
View the 2025 program
Organized by Tucson Orienteering Club & Greater Phoenix Orienteering Club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Dates for 2025 announced! Mark your calendars for March 8-16, 2025
Maps + Terrain
The terrain in Arizona mostly consists of lightly vegetated desert and grassland. The visibility is often quite high and the running speed very fast. The terrain ranges from true desert orienteering at elevations around 2500’/750m (Tucson) and 1700’/525m (Phoenix) to mountain foothill grasslands at 5400’/1600m. There is plenty of cactus and other vegetation that can hurt you but it is usually easily avoided.
 Box CanyonBox Canyon |  Ironwood / Tucson MountainsIronwood / Tucson Mountains |
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 Sutherland Wash in Catalina State Park -Sutherland Wash in Catalina State Park - Photo by B.Brooke |  Rt. 83 / Box CanyonRt. 83 / Box Canyon |
 Superstition Mountains in PhoenixPhoto by Caroline L. |  Greasewood |
 Catalina State ParkPhoto by Cristina L. |  Catalina State Park |
 Superstition Mountains in PhoenixPhoto by B.Brooke |  Buckeye Hills |
 Rt. 83 / Box CanyonPhoto by B. Brooke |  University of Arizona |
 Box Canyon |
SWSW is aggressively casual orienteering with classic and creative race formats. We think it's fun! Here's what others have to say.
"Otherworldly. Awesome. Fantastical. Beautiful. Challenging. Orienteering in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona in February was all I had hoped it would be and more."
Mary Jo Childs
For OUSA Magazine
"I had a FANTASTIC time, and I can't wait to go back...! I always love the February Tucson event as a warm-weather getaway"
B.Brooke Mann
"Fast...and fantastic views in every direction."
Stephen Tarry