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| Sunset at Saguaro National Park |
Some top trails to see sunsets and sunrises include:
Desert Winds Trail
On the far west side of Tucson Mountain (West) district, the Desert Winds Trail is an unparalleled destination for adventurous hikers. The 1.8-mile trail starts at trailhead A-2 and traverses the park’s far-western desert flats. It is a great opportunity to witness the beautiful sunset over a majestic cacti backdrop – the saguaro cacti that thrive in this region are particularly stunning at sunset.
Hugh Norris Trail
Day hikers can enjoy beautiful Arizona sunsets on this 7.7-mile round trip trail in the park’s western Tucson Mountain district. Sunsets generally are better in the park’s western than eastern section, as mountains and city lights tend to degrade the latter’s view of the sky. The reverse is true for sunrises. Getting high on a ridgeline, which the Hugh Norris traverses, offers the best views. Though the trail can be taken to Wasson Peak, the highest point in the western section, the hike here describes the trail to just Amole Peak, the second tallest summit on the ridge. The higher Wasson Peak behind you nicely blocks the glow of Tucson’s lights, and going to Amole means less walking in the dark after the sun sets. The trailhead is off of the gravel Hohokam Road.
Javelina Rocks
The half-billion-year-old Javelina Rocks is a great spot to watch sunsets. The outcroppings rise above the desert floor, allowing you to see the setting sun’s long shadows across the saguaros. A trailhead for the rocks is off of Cactus Forest Drive in the eastern Rincon Mountain (East) district. Get there early to ensure you have a parking space and time to climb one of the two larger outcroppings, which offer more solitude.
Sweetwater Trail
Hiking the Sweetwater Trail in the Tucson Mountain (West) district is a great way to take in the beautiful views and explore the amazing wildlife of Saguaro National Park. Starting from the West end of Camino del Cerro, this 6.8 mile out and back trail follows a ravine for much of its 3.4 miles before reaching an elevation change of 950 feet. Once at the ridge, hikers can continue toward King Canyon Trail junction for an additional 2.3 miles if desired. The east-facing slopes make it a great spot for taking gorgeous photographs of the sunrise. Those wishing to tackle this adventure should be prepared with appropriate gear and plenty of water.
Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
Great views of the sun setting over the Tucson basin await along the ridge of and summit of Tanque Peak. The trail can be hiked to 9 miles (one-way) on the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail all the way to the 7040 feet in the park’s in the Rincon Mountain (East) district. Even if not going to the summit, carry flashlights for the dark hike back. The trailhead is at the Javelina Picnic Area off of Cactus Forest Drive.
Valley View Overlook Trail
Located in the Tucson Mountain (West) district is a great place to watch beautiful sunsets. The small parking lot is perfect for the twilight show, as it offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, which boasts one of the park’s highest densities of saguaro cactus. It’s a great spot for families with small children, as the 0.8-mile round trip trail is flat and easy to traverse.
