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| Saguaro National Park |
Deer Valley Loop
Day hikers can walk through a forest of saguaro cactus on the Deer Valley Loop near Tucson. The roughly 3.5 miles route at the park’s Rincon Mountain (East) section consists of several connecting trails. As a number of other trails crisscross this area, the route easily can be shortened or lengthened. The loop described here, however, tends to give the most scenic views. The best season to hike the loop is March through May when temperatures are pleasant. Summer will be unbearably hot and winter potentially cool. Many desert plants bloom in April and May, making for a colorful view. To reach the trailhead, from the junction of Interstate 10 and Speedway Boulevard in Tucson, take the latter east. This heads to the north side of Saguaro National Park East. Park in the pullout at the Wildhorse Trailhead on the road’s right/south side.
Encinas Trail
Situated in the picturesque Tucson Mountain (West) district, the trail offers hikers a 3.5-mile journey with an elevation change of 600 feet. Primarily an abandoned vehicle track, the trail heads across open cactus plains to the north of Apache Peak before eventually intersecting with Manville Trail close to Sandario Road. Although there is relatively little variation in scenery throughout this section of path compared to other areas, hikers can use the western end as a shortcut option when exploring nearby routes like Cactus Wren/Manville loop. The trailhead is located along Golden Gate Road, near Ez-Kim-In-Zin picnic area.
Hope Camp Trail
The 2.8-mile trail in the Rincon Mountain (East) district starts at the north end of Camino Loma Alta trailhead, which is a lesser used access point. It traverses an old vehicle track and is surrounded by bushy land and some riparian areas with robust saguaros. After 1.25 miles hiking along this trail, you will pass two abandoned cattle stations – Hope Camp and Deer Camp, that latter of which is also this path’s end point. You also can connect to other trails from there, such as Coyote Wash, Ruiz and Quilter that form part of the Arizona Trail cross-state route. At Hope Camp, you’ll be able to enjoy the great views of the surrounding hills while taking the short 0.4-mile trek across level field terrain on the North Hope Trail.
Loma Verde Trail
The Loma Verde Trail offers an opportunity to explore the Rincon Mountain (East) district in breathtaking fashion, as it meanders through stunning landscapes of saguaro cacti. Spanning 2.2 miles and only changing 120 feet in elevation, the trail presents a mild challenge appropriate for visitors of all levels. Starting from Cactus Forest Drive, the trailhead at Loma Verde provides an easy access point, and hikers can enjoy connecting to a network of intersecting trails. With a variety of loop options available – the shortest at 3 miles – Loma Verde Trail is sure to delight.
Manville Trail
A 2.4-mile trail with an elevation change of 200 feet, visitors can expect to witness stunning desert scenery in the Tucson Mountain (West) district. While most of the path is within range of traffic noise, hikers are still rewarded with striking views and a challenging journey. The trailhead can be accessed at two points along Sandario Road as well as a spur off Golden Gate Road leading to the Signal Hill picnic area. You can extend the hike to 4 miles by also hiking the Cactus Wren Trail, which forms a loop with the Manville.
Sendero-Esperanza Trail Big Loop
The 8.5-mile trail in Tucson Mountain (West) district is an attractive destination for trail runners and hikers alike. Saguaros grow all along the south-facing slopes on the trail. The first mile sports 220 feet of elevation gain before it switchbacks up onto the hillside. From there, you can complete the full loop by following Hugh Norris Trail, crossing Hohokam Road before going right/northeast onto Bajada Wash Trail, then Dobe Wash Trail, and finally Sender-Esperanza Trail back to the trailhead. All told, this route offers a good look at some of the area’s principal highlights while combining some solid elevation gain and miles.
Valley View Overlook Trail
One of the park’s densest populations of saguaro cactus grows at Valley View in the park’s Tucson Mountain (West) district. From the overlook, a dense sea of saguaros spreads out before you. The 0.8-mile round trip trail is flat and can easily be traversed by children. Its trailhead is off of Bajada Loop Drive between the Hugh Norris Trail and Golden Gate Road.
