Saguaro National Park in Tuscon is a popular national park near Tucson featuring the largest cacti in the United States, mountains, and stunning desert scenery. Saguaro National Park is divided into two sections: Saguaro National Park East is 15 miles east of downtown, in the Rincon Mountain District; and Saguaro National Park West, in the Tuscon Mountains, is about 15 miles west of downtown. PRO TIP: Special in wildflower season!
This post is focused on the best places to run in Park West. The Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,180 ft to 4,687 ft and contains 2 biotic communities, desert scrub, and desert grassland. This is mainly a hiking/trail running destination. Most of the 40 miles of hiking trails are hilly and feature fairly challenging footing.
The TRAIL MAP combines both Park East and Park West trails and has good information on the trial options, including levels of difficulty. Pick up a more detailed trail map at the Visitor Center.
Easier Trails For Running in Park West
Scenic Bajada Loop Drive. This is the main loop road in Saguaro National Park West. It’s an unpaved, graded dirt road in the flatter west section of the park. There are numerous Saguaro, desert & mountain views. The first 1 ¾ miles are a steady, 300-foot climb, headed in a counterclockwise direction, but you’ll be rewarded with a downhill at the end! The road is open to cars, but it’s wide and there isn’t too much traffic. However, it can be dusty. Access is off Kinney Rd., 1.5 miles north of the Visitor Center.
Golden Gate Trail. A wide gravel multi-use trail extends north from Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area for 2.5 miles to Picture Rocks Rd. There are great views of the more mountainous section of Saguaro NP West. It’s 400 feet down, and then the return is 400 feet up.
Western Part of Park: Wild Dog Trail (1.8 miles), Cactus Wren Trail (1.7 miles), Desert Winds Trail (1.8 miles one-way)
King Canyon Trailhead: King Canyon Short Loop (1.8 miles) King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop (2.4 miles). These can be combined.
Northeast Part of Park. Passey Trails.
Saguaro National Park in Tuscon is a popular national park near Tucson featuring the largest cacti in the United States, mountains, and stunning desert scenery. Saguaro National Park is divided into two sections: Saguaro National Park East is 15 miles east of downtown, in the Rincon Mountain District; and Saguaro National Park West, in the Tuscon Mountains, is about 15 miles west of downtown. PRO TIP: Special in wildflower season!
This post is focused on the best places to run in Park West. The Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,180 ft to 4,687 ft and contains 2 biotic communities, desert scrub, and desert grassland. This is mainly a hiking/trail running destination. Most of the 40 miles of hiking trails are hilly and feature fairly challenging footing.
The TRAIL MAP combines both Park East and Park West trails and has good information on the trial options, including levels of difficulty. Pick up a more detailed trail map at the Visitor Center.
Easier Trails For Running in Park West
Scenic Bajada Loop Drive. This is the main loop road in Saguaro National Park West. It’s an unpaved, graded dirt road in the flatter west section of the park. There are numerous Saguaro, desert & mountain views. The first 1 ¾ miles are a steady, 300-foot climb, headed in a counterclockwise direction, but you’ll be rewarded with a downhill at the end! The road is open to cars, but it’s wide and there isn’t too much traffic. However, it can be dusty. Access is off Kinney Rd., 1.5 miles north of the Visitor Center.
Golden Gate Trail. A wide gravel multi-use trail extends north from Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area for 2.5 miles to Picture Rocks Rd. There are great views of the more mountainous section of Saguaro NP West. It’s 400 feet down, and then the return is 400 feet up.
Western Part of Park: Wild Dog Trail (1.8 miles), Cactus Wren Trail (1.7 miles), Desert Winds Trail (1.8 miles one-way)
King Canyon Trailhead: King Canyon Short Loop (1.8 miles) King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop (2.4 miles). These can be combined.
Northeast Part of Park. Passey Trails.
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