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| Javelinas can be seen near Javelina Rocks in the park's Rincon Mountain (East) section. |
visit Saguaro National Park to see the majestic saguaro, there’s plenty
of interesting desert wildlife to see as well.
A few good trails where you stand a good
chance of seeing fauna include…
Arizona National
Scenic Trail -
Passage 9
The Arizona Trail, which runs the length of the Grand Canyon State from Mexico to Utah, is divided into 43 “passages” or sections. Passage 9 crosses Saguaro National Park’s eastern district, rambling 24.6 miles one-way through the park. The Rincon Mountains’ network of protected land creates an ideal environment for a diverse range of animal species. Among the larger mammals found in the area are black bears, mountain lions, deer and wolves, especially at the higher elevations.
Cholla Trail
The Cholla Trail in the Rincon Mountain (East) district is a great route for hikers of all skill levels. This 0.7-mile long trail can be accessed from its trailhead located at Loma Verde, just 0.3 miles north on Cactus Forest Drive. Along this level and scenic route, hikers will cross a dry wash, make several easy ascents and descents, and enjoy views of the pristine desert terrain in this corner of Saguaro National Park. It’s the perfect environment for hares and harmless lizards. You’ll also see plenty of saguaro cactus and the trail’s namesake. The Cholla Trail is one of many short paths in the low elevation northwest corner of the park, making it an ideal choice for casual hikes or as part of larger loop routes.
Desert Winds Trail
On the far west side of Tucson Mountain (West) district, this 1.8-mile trail starts at trailhead A-2 and traverses the park’s far-western desert flats. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of local wildlife – there have been sightings of fox amid the saguaro cacti. There are two trailheads – on North Sanders Road and North Sandario Road.
Douglas Spring Trail to Ernie’s Falls
The 6.6-mile round trip hike begins on the Douglas Spring Trail, heading through the bushy grassland of the higher desert elevations. At the four-way junction, go right/north on the Ernie’s Falls Trail. Watch for deer and harmless lizards, as well as the paw prints of bobcat and tracks of snakes in the sand. When flowers are in bloom, expect to see bees. The waterfall area is particularly attractive to wildlife.
Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.
