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Control 8 on Short Course Catalina.jpeg

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • 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 Canyon

Box Canyon

Box Canyon

Ironwood / Tucson Mountains

Ironwood / Tucson Mountains

Ironwood / Tucson Mountains

Sutherland Wash in Catalina State Park -

Sutherland Wash in Catalina State Park -

Sutherland Wash in Catalina State Park - Photo by B.Brooke

Rt. 83 / Box Canyon

Rt. 83 / Box Canyon

Rt. 83 / Box Canyon

Superstition Mountains in Phoenix

Superstition Mountains in Phoenix

Photo by Caroline L.

Greasewood

Greasewood

Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park

Photo by Cristina L.

Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park

Superstition Mountains in Phoenix

Superstition Mountains in Phoenix

Photo by B.Brooke

Buckeye Hills

Buckeye Hills

Rt. 83 / Box Canyon

Rt. 83 / Box Canyon

Photo by B. Brooke

University of Arizona

University of Arizona

Box Canyon

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

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