Enjoy your hiking! Information boards along the trail describe the most common species. The remote Miller Creek Trail begins outside Saguaro National Park in Happy Valley on Coronado National Forest land, along FR 35 and about 16 miles north of I-10, exit 297 (Mescal Rd). The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail is narrow, rocky, and steep, with spectacular views of the Tucson Basin. Learn more about the Park's trails at the Park's website:http://www.nps.gov/sagu/, Friends of Saguaro National Park 2700 North Kinney Road Tucson, AZ 85743 (520) 733-8610 email: fosnp@friendsofsaguaro.org, With about 200 miles of trails -- traversing flat desert landscapes as well as challenging mountainous terrain -- visitors of every ability have a place to explore at, At the (west) Tucson Mountain District, the 400-yard, A varied trail network winds through the (east) Rincon Mountain District. Leaving El Camino Del Cerro trailhead, you will follow Sweetwater Trail until you meet the junction with King Canyon Trail. The one mile Mesquite Trail connects the Cactus Forest and Loma Verde routes; it branches west off the latter, runs close to the one-way loop drive for a while then veers northwest across a dry wash and on to a junction with the former, from where the Mica View Trailhead is half a mile north. One of four paths accessed from the lesser used Loma Alta trailhead at the southwest corner of the Rincon Mountain District, the Hope Camp Trail runs along an old vehicle track, close to two tributaries of Rincon Creek, through bushy land and some riparian areas, still with many large saguaros. After the last of these (the Three Tank Trail), 2.2 miles from the start, the saguaro fade away and are replaced by creosote bushes, yucca and mesquite trees. Easy trail with waterfall view For those more experienced backpackers who plan to stay overnight, you'll need a permit available from the Saguaro National Park office. The northern trailhead is opposite the Ez-Kim-In-Zin backcountry picnic area, from where the first 1.7 miles is along an old vehicle track, then a short, steep ascent up to the top of a ridge, and a junction with the Hugh Norris Trail. There is an admission fee at the Saguaro National Park Visitor center. Trails. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. Just a short hike of a mile or so is rewarding enough, though the round trip to the peak (18 miles), passing through 6 discrete wildlife zones, can be done in one day. The first 0.8 miles is up the side of the ridge to the top, whereupon the path turns northeast and is mostly straight all the way to the peak. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Pack mules play a vital role in the completion of trail work, resource management projects and fire management in the remote Wilderness areas of Saguaro National Park. Horseback riding is permitted on many trails at both the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District of the Park. This is one of a few routes leading to Wasson Peak. Welcome to Saguaro National Park Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. To reach the hiking trails from the visitor center, you must drive into the park on the Loop Drive. Phone: (520) 733 … The next 2.5 miles are over slightly more uneven ground to the south side of the loop, then the final mile to Freeman Road descends a little along a dry wash. The 1/4 mile (paved) Desert Ecology Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail where visitors learn of water's role in the desert; the trail has benches for resting amidst a natural cactus garden. Take the Valley View trail to the Wild Dog trail. Gray Area Mapped on Back The path up a cactus-studded ravine to the remains of Gould Mine is just over a mile but is often combined with parts of the Sendero Esperanza and King Canyon trails to form a circular route of 2.5 miles. Saguaro National Park is a perfect destination for travelers who enjoy hiking… without missing out on the comforts of home. Remember you will find no water on any trails in Saguaro West and water in Saguaro East is spotty and usually only at Manning Camp (check at the visitor center for backcountry permits and water conditions at Manning Camp) which is a 16 mile hike one way and an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. The King Canyon Trail connects with other trails to allow you to climb Wasson Peak the highest peak in Saguaro West. Weekly Pass - $25.00/vehicle Many people mispronounce “Saguaro.” We did too, before our visit. Set on two separate sides of the city of Tuscon, Saguaro National Park showcases the Sonoran Desert. To get between these two sections of the park, it is a one hour drive through the city of Tucson. The Saguaro Wilderness Area of 71,400 acres was added in 1975. Numerous trails wind through the Cactus Forest (with elevations below 4,500 feet);  because many of these trails intersect one another, trips of varying lengths can be planned. NPS Photo. The Manville Trail climbs gradually from the junction of Sandario and Rudasill roads to the Signal Hill picnic area, where it meets the Cactus Wren Trail to form a loop; both pass through typical Sonoran Desert scenery. Both pass similar scenery of saguaro, cholla, palo verde, mesquite and various other cacti. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the trail gradually ascends to a ridge, offering great views of the Avra Valley below, and Picacho Peak to the north. From the Douglas Spring trail head, continue until you take a right on the Garwood Trail (.2 mile). All are rather close to the busy road and pass through similar scenery. 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 trailhead is at the end of North Scenic Drive towards the north boundary of the park. The 1/4 mile (paved), Bicyclists are challenged by routes in both districts, but the. Wasson Peak via King Canyon and Hugh Norris Trail, Douglas Spring, Bridal Wreath Falls, Three Tank, Garwood Loop. In the northeast corner of the park, the Cam-Boh Trail runs alongside the Picture Rocks Road and links with 10 other short paths, on both sides of the road, of length varying from 0.7 to 1.9 miles, heading across flattish desert or along dry washes. This is an excellent introductory hike for someone who normally doesnt get out there. On Kinney Road, a mile from the Red Hills visitor center, the paved, wheelchair-accessible Desert Discovery Nature Trail is the shortest and easiest footpath in the park, providing a good introduction to the plants and animals found in the Sonoran Desert. Wander down this path to the site of an old homestead foundation, a grove of large saguaros and a cool desert wash. Great Horned Owls can often be seen in the cliff above this wash. The trailhead is at the east end of Speedway Boulevard, in a flat region of dense saguaro, but after a short distance the path begins to climb beside a narrow, rocky wash into the foothills, where it quite soon passes four junctions with other trails, part of a complex network of paths in this section of the park. Within the loop drive is a 0.3 mile side path to Lime Falls, a small drop on a seasonal stream but quite dramatic on the rare occasions when water is flowing.