For instance, you can dip your toes in the water around half way through at the Rincon Creek. to the right, which is soon after you pass the North Avenida Aguila Rd. The History Of Saguaro National Park Established in 1933 as a national monument, the original park comprised the Rincon Mountain District east of Tucson. There’s a spacious parking lot located a short distance from the trailhead, which usually has spots open. At this dead end is the trailhead that’s noted by a sign as well as a substantial amount of parking. While you’ll have an opportunity to spot many different types of wildlife, turtles are in abundance on this trail. Wasson Peak is the tallest mountain in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. The trail is moderately difficult but can be harder towards the end because of the 3,700-foot elevation gain. With a 528-foot elevation gain, the hike can become somewhat difficult towards the end. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. The final mile of this trail can be somewhat steep, which you should prepare for by wearing hiking shoes. Apart from the enormous cacti you’ll see along your journey, the highlight of this trail is Bridal Wreath Falls – a beautiful sight in the middle of the desert. The Mica View Loop Trail is an easy yet somewhat lengthy 3.7-mile hiking trail on the edge of the Saguaro National Park that’s perfect for hikers of all skill levels. Saguaro is located within Tucson’s city limits, meaning you can make your basecamp in town and still have quick access to … We hope they help you plan your trip! Here, the park's 150-mile network of trails crosses everything from desert scrub to pine forest to snow-capped mountains. Happy Hiking! The trail itself extends for 6.5 miles and is open all throughout the day. Kristin went in with low expectations, and she ended up loving the park. Going all the way to the top of the park, from the lower desert elevation to a high elevation conifer forest. Its 2 sections are on either side of the city of Tucson. Switchbacks for the last mile get you to the top of Wasson Peak (4687′). Help me, help you – we make a small commission every time an item or piece of gear is purchased after clicking on the links on our GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS pages. Around .3 miles into the Douglas Spring Trail, you should notice a sign to your right that takes you down the remainder of the Garwood Trail. AllTrails has 66 great hiking trails, trail running trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Valley View Overlook Trail An easy family hike (.8-mile round trip) within Saguaro National Park West that reaches a ridge that provides great views within a 35-mile radius. The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail is a lengthy 20-mile trail that’s among the most difficult on this list. I list two of my favorite trails one in each District; he King Canyon Trail and the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. The park is open year-round. A permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry, the fee is $6 a night per campsite. The Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District (east) is an 8-mile paved loop. Remove Ads. Unlike some of the other national parks, you can explore a lot of highlights of this park in just a few of days, which makes it a great weekend getaway. Saguaro National Park was one of our first experiences in desert hiking. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Trailhead Traveler - HIKE CALIFORNIA - Unisex T-Shirt, Trailhead Traveler - HIKE MONTANA - Unisex T-Shirt, 6 Best Day Hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 9 Best Day Hikes in Sequoia National Park, 6 Best Day Hikes in Crater Lake National Park, 10 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, 4 Best Day Hikes in Pinnacles National Park, Best Hikes in San Juan National Forest (CO), Best Hikes in Rio Grande National Forest (CO), Best Hikes in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (CO), Best Hikes in White River National Forest (CO). Plan a Trip To Saguaro National Park Saguaro National Park is a perfect destination for travelers who enjoy hiking… without missing out on the comforts of home. If you come upon a part of the hike that’s too difficult, there are several great spots where you can relax and take in the scenery. Assume you're carrying all your own water, a gallon per person, per day. This trail continues to Juniper Basin Campground (6.9 mile mark, 3000 feet elevation) as well as Tanque Verde Peak … The trail is relatively open with minimal shade, which means that there are many opportunities for taking photos of … At 2.3 miles, it’s a relatively short trail that can be hiked at any time. Hope Camp is a fantastic trail that’s open to horses and extends for just over 6.5 miles. Some are out-and-back hikes, some require a shuttle, but you can combine the King Canyon, Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza, and the Gould Mine Trails to make an 8-mile loop. The trailhead is located just off the E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ separates Saguaro National Park into two regions – Tucson Mountain District (West) and Rincon Mountain District (East). While the park is hot and relatively unmanageable during the summers, it is a great place to take advantage of the many hikes in Saguaro National Park in winter and other times of the year. There are 31 moderate trails in Saguaro National Park ranging from 2.2 to 20.8 miles and from 2,214 to 7,014 feet above sea level. Saguaro National Park: Great hiking trails - See 1,003 traveler reviews, 989 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Displays talk about the ecology and native plants and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert. Thank you. There's no place where it's more obvious that life can thrive and be beautiful, even in the harshest of conditions. This loop hike travels along ridges with grand desert vistas and through some of the thickest Saguaro forest in Arizona. A crested saguaro (at mile 2.5) is a unique view, as well as "the Dome" (a large exposed surface at mile 3) offers even more breath-taking views. Grogan & Grogan claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. The east and west districts of the park offer more than 165 miles of hiking trails for campers and visitors, meaning there is so much for hikers to enjoy on the park’s trails. Your email address will not be published. Here are our favorite spots in the park, along with some tips for visiting. Recorded April 22-23, 2017Saguaro National Park is in southern Arizona. Combining Mica View, Mesquite, Cholla, and Cactus Forest Trails, hikers get an easy, relatively short hike through the desert landscape. The large rocks in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall are great for relaxing and having a quick bite to eat before you turn around for the second half of the hike. The Eastern Rincon Mountain District rises to over 8,000 feet and includes over 128 miles of trails. This is a very scenic trail that offers plenty of opportunities for taking pictures even when the creek is dry. Department of the Interior National Park Service Saguaro National Park Trails in the Tucson Mountain District Red Hills Visitor Center (520) 733-5158 Cactus Garden Trail (100 yards) The Cactus Garden Trail is located in front of the Red Hills Visitor Center. This trailhead is clearly marked at the end of the East Speedway. Being so close to a larger city like Tucson makes Saguaro a very unique place to visit and allows people that wouldn’t necessarily venture to a more secluded park to get out and explore this desert landscape. Saguaro National Park is a dream destination for those that want to feel humbled by the environment and have an obsession with all things desert (that’s me!).. Arizona's Saguaro National Park is known for two things: its vast forest of 100-year old saguaro cacti, and its incredible diversity of terrain. A half day is all you need to see the highlights, but with more time you can tour the entire park, go on a day hike, or camp in the backcountry. The Loma Verde and Squeeze Pen Loop trail is a relatively short loop trail that extends for 3.7 miles and offers fantastic opportunities for bird watching as well as a variety of fun activities. Most of the hike follows the top of the ridge line on your way up to Tanque Verde Peak so the views are pretty hard to beat. It is never a bad time to explore some of the below hikes in Saguaro National Park, just make sure to bring along plenty of water! Read More about Tucson News & Market Updates ». The Mica View Loop Trail is an easy yet somewhat lengthy 3.7-mile hiking trail on the edge of the Saguaro National Park that’s perfect for hikers of all skill levels. Keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed on the trail. Saguaro cacti and mountains in Saguaro National Park. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. Great hiking opportunities are available at Saguaro National Park in both districts. Don’t forget to bring your dog with you as long as you keep them on a leash. Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. While horses are able to use the trail, dogs aren’t. Beyond activities, the park itself protects one of the true icons of the American West, the giant Saguaro Cactus. There are few options for hiking to the summit. While the trail is mainly used for hiking, it’s also a great place to go when you want to spot some local wildlife and plant-life. The Douglas Spring Trail is among the most popular hiking trails in Arizona. Most trails in the Rincon Mountain district of Saguaro National Park are in the northwest corner - a few along the one road through the park, the Cactus Forest Drive, one in Rincon Valley to the south, and a complex network of inter-connecting routes on the north side of Tanque Verde Ridge. If you are the owner of any content used on our website and would like us to remove your content, please contact us immediately and we will promptly remove this content from our website. 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