Our Top 3 Hikes in Saguaro National Park West

Visiting Saguaro National Park West is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the desert environment, among the forests of towering cacti (the largest in the country), the rugged peaks and canyons of the Tucson Mountains, and the spectacular sunsets that Arizona is famous for.

Hiking through the park is the best way to explore it up-close and personal! Here are three of our favorites to enjoy this gem of Southern Arizona.

Click Here to Purchase an Entrance Pass to Saguaro National Park

Note: All of these hikes run on multiple trails, other than the ones they are named after. For each hike, it is recommended to view the linked AllTrails guide for a map and description of the route.

Packrat & Passey Loop Trail

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If you want a hike that’s easy to get to and relatively short, but that still has amazing views and the opportunity to feel like you’re “out in the desert”, the Passey Loop Trail is the one for you! It has some elevation change, so you can still get a decent workout out of it!

The trailhead backs up to the Marana Town Limits, at the end of Scenic Drive near the Continental Ranch area. You start out on the Packrat Trail, which starts with a relatively easy climb and then descent over a ridgeline, which is the only significant elevation change on the trail. Keep to the left to stay on the Packrat Trail.

After the ridgeline, the trail drops into the cactus forest of the desert floor, where you wander through the towering saguaros in amazement that you’re still right next door to a suburb! You’ll come to a junction with the Passey Loop Trail; if you go right, it takes you back around to the Scenic Drive trailhead for a 1.7-mile loop. If you go left, and take the next right, you can enjoy the wild desert landscape for a little while longer. The trail loops back around to the Scenic Trail, which will take you back over the ridge and to the trailhead.

The whole time, you’ll have the iconic backdrop of Sombrero Peak (officially known as “Safford Peak”), and Panther Peak, which together make up an iconic formation that dominates the skyline of this part of the park, and of Marana, with a distinct “M” shape!

If you do the full trail as described, the hike is about 2.5 miles long. Allow for about 1 ½ hours, depending on your pace.

Coyote Pass Loop Trail

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The Coyote Pass Loop Trail lets you see stunning vistas around every corner, without having to work too hard to see them! Throughout the course of the 6.5-mile hike, you’ll pass through gently-rolling hills and small canyons, with panoramic views of the rugged Tucson Mountains, towering saguaros, and even some small petroglyphs! If you visit in March or April, you’re likely to have your hike accented by yellow, purple, orange, and pink wildflowers, with some areas even being carpeted in flowers.

PicturedA small spiral petroglyph can be seen at the top of the rock pile, just above the center of the photo.

You’ll start at the Ringtail Access Trailhead, which is located shortly past the entrance to the park when coming from I-10, Ina Road, and the Continental Ranch area. You’ll frequently see cars parked off to the left and right of the road, in a wide apron which doubles as a parking area. The views start almost immediately! If you visit during Wildflower Season, this is one of the places where you'll see the land covered in flowers.

To complete the hike, allow for about 3 hours (depending on your pace), including time to take pictures! If you want to go on a shorter or a longer hike, there are many other trails that start at the Ringtail Access Trailhead and that branch off along the way. Most of them still offer relatively-gentle terrain and sweeping views of the open desert!

The trail is open to hikers and horseback riders; cycling is not permitted on this trail. Additionally, dogs are not allowed on the trail.

Credit@Obviously_Outdoorsy

Wasson Peak

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Credit@Obviously_Outdoorsy

After finishing this hike, you’ll be able to tell your friends that you’ve hiked to the highest peak in a mountain range! At 4,688 feet, Wasson Peak is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains, and sure, it’s not a “14-er”, but hey, minor details. We’re not sure what you’ll enjoy more, the 360-degree views of the Tucson area and the open desert beyond, or the sense of accomplishment you’ll get when reaching the top!

Wasson Peak can be reached via several trails, including the Hugh Norris Trail, the King Canyon Trail, and the Sweetwater Trail. The King Canyon Trail is the most direct path up the peak. The trailhead is located just off of Kinney Road, across from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

The trail starts off with a gradual ascent, with views of the canyon below. It then drops slightly into the canyon, which is a great spot for a water break. You may even be able to see some water in the canyon, if you visit after a significant rain. Keep to the right to stay on the trail; it is well-marked with signs.

The trail then gradually winds upwards, through the hills, until you get to a saddle, where the King Canyon Trail meets the Sweetwater Trail. This is a great spot to take in the views of the expansive, open desert to the west, and the mountain ranges in the distance. If you bring a flashlight with you for the way down, it’s also a great spot to watch the sunset to the west and see the pink reflective glow off the Catalina Mountains to the east.

From the saddle, the trail gets steeper, and you’ll go up a series of switchbacks. Just before the summit, the trail joins up with the Hugh Norris Trail, and goes for a short jaunt along the ridgeline. The summit is clearly marked, when you reach it, make sure to sign the guest book!

Up at the top, take in the all-encompassing views of the Tucson area, and the open desert beyond. From there, the iconic Panther Peak and Sombero Peak to the north, that dominate the Marana skyline, look tiny by comparison. Follow the King Canyon Trail back down to the trailhead to finish off your hike!

Credit@Obviously_Outdoorsy

The hike is about 7.6 miles long, and gains about 1,800 feet of elevation. Allow for about 4 ½ - 5 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop and rest. Generally, it’s best that you start closer to noon in the wintertime (to be back before sunset), or early in the morning during the summertime, to avoid the hottest part of the day. It’s recommended to do this hike in the mild season of November-March. Hiking poles or a walking stick could be helpful on this trail (there are spots with loose gravel), but are not necessary.

Credit@Obviously_Outdoorsy

About Saguaro National Park

Entrance Fees

Entry to Saguaro National Park is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person who walks or bikes into the park. Entrance passes are valid for 7 days, and include admission to both the West and East Districts of the park. America the Beautiful Passes are valid for admission.

Click Here to Purchase an Entrance Pass

Getting There

Saguaro National Park West is approximately 2 hours from the Phoenix area, depending on which part of the park you go to. Trails closer to Marana (such as the Passey Loop and Coyote Pass Loop trails) are approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes from the Phoenix area. The park is about 25-30 minutes from Downtown Tucson, and about 20 minutes from Downtown Marana (Marana Rd. & I-10). Saguaro National Park West is easily accessed via Interstate 10 from both Phoenix and Tucson.

Getting Around

Not only is Saguaro National Park West easy to get to, it’s also easy to get around once you’re there. Picture Rocks Rd., Kinney Rd., and Sandario Rd. are major streets to the west of the Tucson Mountains that run through the park, providing easy access to different parts. Don’t worry, even though it’s easily accessible, it still is a wild landscape where you can feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness!

When to Visit

Generally, most people visit Saguaro National Park from November-early April, due to the milder temperatures. If you’re wanting to see wildflowers, they typically bloom from the second week of March through early April. The saguaros themselves typically bloom in mid-May. Monsoon Season, where you can see spectacular lightning storms and cloud formations (from the safety of a car), generally runs from July-September, so make sure to exercise increased caution and pay attention to the weather forecast if you visit then.

One More Helpful Tip

Talk like a local when you're talking about the park's iconic cacti! "Saguaro" is pronounced "suh-WAR-oh". When you're telling your family and friends about your Arizona adventure, you can impress them with this interesting fact!

Hiking Safety

On your hike, please make sure to remember Leave No Trace principles, and practice basic hiking safety by observing these guidelines:

  • Bring plenty of water (at least 2 liters per person, 3 liters for longer hikes or in the summer), salty snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Turn around when half of your water is gone.
  • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or hiking boots.
  • Make sure to check the weather before you go and do not go if extreme heat or storms are in the forecast.
  • Make sure to tell someone where you're going, what trail you plan on hiking on, and when you plan to return.
  • Do not approach, feed, or handle any wildlife.
  • Stick to existing trails, avoid cutting switchbacks or taking "shortcuts", as this can cause erosion and damage to the landscape.
  • Pack out and discard all trash, including food waste.
  • Leave what you find, do not remove archaeological artifacts, wildflowers, rocks, or anything else from the environment.
Near the start of the King Canyon Trail.

A Guide to Saguaro National Park

We are lucky to have one of the Nation’s most treasured and most unique natural areas, Saguaro National Park, right in our backyard. The park is famous for two of the most quintessential icons of Arizona – towering saguaro cacti and striking sunsets.
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