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| Bowen House via Camino de Oeste |
The park sits southwest of Tucson and south of Saguaro National Park’s west district. More than 40 trails or trail combinations can be hiked.
Here a few of the more popular hikes…
Gates Pass Trail
The 2.8-mile round trip hike runs close to a road, campground, and Old Tucson, a former movie production area turned theme park. Gates Pass Trail is a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking to experience the area’s spectacular desert scenery. From W. Gates Pass Road, turn right to Gates Pass Trailhead parking area, where there are plenty of spaces.
Bittersweet, Camaro and Sunset Pass Loop Trail
Nice views of mountains and numerous saguaros await on this 3.9-mile loop. Desert wildflowers typically start to bloom in mid-March. The path is rocky in stretches. Trailhead is off of West Irvington Road west of South Cardinal Avenue.
Bobcat Ridge and Starr Pass Trail Loop
Great vistas await atop the ridge on this 4.1-mile hike. The first half of the trail is steep and rocky, but the second half is downhill then flat. Watch for cholla cacti hitchhiking on your socks or pants legs. Trailhead with paved parking lot is at the end of South Sarasota Boulevard, north of South Kinney Road.
Bowen House via Camino de Oeste
An easy trail ideal for children, the 2.6-miles round trip hike heads to the ruins of a ruins of a 1930s ranch house. Wildflowers, especially poppies early in the season, bloom late March through early May. Mule deer often can be spotted amid the cacti and mesquite trees. Trailhead is off of North Camino de Oeste south of West Gates Pass Road.
Bowen Trail
This 1.5-mile round trip hike is the main route to the Bowen ranch house ruins. It’s a fairly flat trail that’s great for kids. Wildflowers bloom here in late March through April. Trailhead is off of West Starr Pass Boulevard west of South Players Club Drive.
Brown Mountain Loop via Brown Mountain Picnic Area
This 4.2-mile loop heads across 3064-foot high Brown Mountain through several saguaro-lined stretches. The ridgeline is great for watching sunsets. The trail also connects to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If you walk it in the afternoon, the last portion of the trail will be shaded. Trailhead is on Kinney Road north of West Gates Pass Road.
Camaro Loop
This fairly flat, family-friendly hike through a saguaro forest with great desert views runs 2.1 miles round trip. Large staghorn cactus can be seen along the way. Wildflowers bloom in April. Trailhead is at end of West Irvington Place west of South Jamaica Way.
David Yetman Trail
This 12.1-mile round trip hike heads through the Tucson Mountain Range’s southern peaks. The ascent to the Golden Gate Mountain summit is steep, boasting 1,160 feet of vertical gain over 0.66 miles, but the view at the top is spectacular. The trail is named for David Yetman, host of PBS’s long-running show “The Desert Speaks.” West trailhead is off of West Gates Pass Road west of North Camino de Oeste. East trailhead is off of North Camino de Oeste south of West Gates Pass Road.
David Yetman and Rock Wren Trail
This 6.2-mile route heads past the Bowen house ruins and plenty of saguaro. Poppies usually bloom here in late March. You stand a good chance of seeing mule deer, rabbits and various birds. A cave is about 0.5 miles past the Bowen house on Yetman. Loose rock and thick sand covers portions of the route. Trailhead is off of North Camino de Oeste south of West Gates Pass Road.
Hidden Canyon Bowen Loop
Great desert views and plenty of saguaros await on this 2.2-mile hike. You have a good chance of spotting mule deer, and wildflowers usually are in bloom mid-April. It’s a wonderful trail at sunrise but will be unbearably hot in summer. No dogs are allowed, and sections of the trail are rocky. Trailhead is near end of West Starr Pass Boulevard near resort.
Rock Wren, 5th Avenue, Yetman and Starr Pass Trail Loop
This 4.8-mile lollipop trail offers a chance to see javelina and mule deer. Wildflowers usually bloom in April. Expect a rocky stem trail. Trailhead is at end of Clearwell Road west of West Starr Pass Boulevard.
Little Cat Mountain Trail
There’s no direct route to the 3310-foot butte off of Starr Pass Route. Tenacious hikers, however, can bushwhack up the steep, rocky southeast side for 2-mile round trip that starts on Starr Pass Trail. Great views await. This hike is not for children.
