Saguaro National Park: Choosing a District and Exploring the Desert

We climbed to Wasson Peak for golden hour, took in the views from the ridge and pulled on jackets for the walk back after sunset.

Our hike to Wasson Peak was one of those outings where the views just kept getting better as we climbed. We started at the Sendero Esperanza Trailhead in Saguaro National Park West, worked our way up to the ridge and reached the peak as the light was falling into golden hour. That was exactly the light I wanted for our photos.

For a first visit, choose which side of the park fits your plans. The two districts sit on opposite sides of Tucson, so concentrating on one leaves more time to enjoy the desert.

East or west: start with the kind of visit you want

The east side, the Rincon Mountain District, has the paved eight-mile Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive. The west side, the Tucson Mountain District, has the six-mile Bajada Loop Drive, an unpaved graded road. Both connect visitors with overlooks and trailheads. The National Park Service's getting-around guide explains the road surfaces and vehicle restrictions.

The east-side loop is paved; the west-side loop is not. That distinction is worth checking against your vehicle and rental agreement before choosing a drive.

Choose a walk that matches the day

A scenic drive and a hike to higher ground make for very different days. Check the distance, elevation and conditions for the route you want before leaving the trailhead.

For a shorter west-side outing, the Valley View Overlook Nature Trail is listed by NPS as 0.8 miles round trip. Our outing to Wasson Peak was a separate, longer hike.

Another option is the Desert Discovery Trail, a paved, accessible half-mile trail in the west district. It is a place to start if you want an introduction to the desert without a summit hike. Choosing one of these shorter walks leaves room for the visitor center and the scenic drive.

Build the park into a Tucson trip

Think of the park as one part of a stay in Tucson, rather than assuming you need to see both districts in a day. Pick the district closest to the other places you want to visit, then decide whether that day is mainly for hiking or a shorter park outing followed by time in town.

For a meal downtown, our La Chingada visit covers the Fajitas Plate, Chimichanga Ahogada and the fun, relaxed atmosphere we enjoyed. It offers a different side of Tucson to pair with a desert-focused trip, without adding another hike to the schedule.

Taking in the desert

The sun was hotter than we expected when we started. We had a flatter stretch through the desert first, and then the trail started winding up in switchbacks. It felt like we were going up, up, up until we reached the ridge.

Once we got there, we could look out in both directions while we were still hiking toward the peak. I loved that part. The summit gave us an almost all-around view, and we sat up there for a while after getting the photos we wanted on the rocks.

Stay on established trails to avoid damaging the desert plants.

Our evening hike to Wasson Peak

We visited in mid-to-late September 2021 and spent about three hours hiking, stopping for pictures and resting at the summit. We started roughly an hour before sunset and returned after dark. Allow enough daylight for your own pace rather than using our late start as a plan.

As soon as the sun went down, the temperature dropped fast. We all put our jackets on and headed back down the same way with our lights. That contrast between the hot start and the cold return really stuck with me. I would bring layers even when the afternoon feels warm.

Allow enough time for your group to hike comfortably and return safely. Carry enough water and a dependable light, and check the park’s visitor information before an evening hike.