Saguaro National Park guide · 2 min read
170 Miles of Trails, from Valley View Overlook
Hiking is the main draw here, with more than 150 miles of trails spread across the park's two districts.
Several trails put you close to the saguaro cactus forest, where the tall cacti line the path.
The Valley View Overlook Trail is a good place to start. It covers 0.8 miles round trip, stays flat and easy, and suits all ages. Along the way, saguaro cacti, prickly pears and ironwood trees sit close to the path, and the trail ends at a viewpoint over the park. The Wild Dog Trail picks up from Valley View and runs 1.8 miles to where Golden Gate Road meets the turnoff for the Signal Hill picnic area, and the Signal Hill road adds another 0.5 miles.
The Mica View Trail is the most easily reached trail in Saguaro East. Its 2 miles round trip are flat, and the path passes giant saguaro cacti with views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson. Roadrunners and other wildlife can be spotted from the trail too. The Desert Ecology Trail is a quarter-mile nature trail that is paved and wide, with benches along the way and signs that explain the plants of the Sonoran desert. It starts from Cactus Forest Loop Drive, and leashed dogs are allowed here, which is unusual inside the park.
The Hope Camp and Ridge View Trail covers 2 miles and climbs about 400 feet from the Loma Alta trailhead. Hikers take Hope Camp trail for one-tenth of a mile to reach the Ridge View Trail, which opens to views of Rincon Peak and looks down into Box Canyon near the top. Experienced hikers can try the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, a strenuous 20-mile out-and-back route through the backcountry of Saguaro East that climbs from cactus desert into forested mountains. Ask at the visitor center before setting out.
