Cactus Forest Drive Top 10 Stops - Saguaro National Park East
Happy Monday friends! This week we’re exploring the Rincon Mountain District (or East District) of Saguaro National Park, and we’ll be enjoying a scenic drive through a picturesque southern Arizona landscape...join me along Cactus Forest Drive.
Giant saguaro along Cactus Forest Drive in Saguaro National Park East
Location
Saguaro National Park is made of two distinct districts: The (East) Rincon Mountain District and the (West) Tucson Mountain District. The Tucson Mountain District lies on the west side of Tucson, Arizona, while the Rincon Mountain District lies just over 30 miles away on the east side of Tucson. Saguaro National Park East District has a wonderful variety of over 128 miles of hiking trails for you to explore. The 8-mile one way Cactus Forest Drive loop is fully paved and hosts numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks along the journey. This drive is a perfect option for visitors who want to get a taste of Saguaro National Park East and are a bit short on time. However, each stop along the way has such unique beauty, one could spend all day here.
One-way Cactus Forest Drive in Saguaro National Park East
Just past the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, we’ll be heading clockwise as we turn left on Cactus Forest Drive and arriving at our first destination almost immediately. Along our journey today, we’ll be exploring the 10 main stops along this scenic one-way loop.
Future Generations Overlook along Cactus Forest Drive
1. Future Generations Overlook
The Future Generations Overlook provides stunning views of the Tanque Verde Ridge and the desertscape below. You’ll also find multiple informative and interesting interpretive panels here, as will most of the stops we take today.
Sonoran Desert Overlook with views of the Cactus Forest
2. Sonoran Desert Overlook
Just a short distance down the road we arrive at the Sonoran Desert Overlook. Here you can learn about the dozens of different species of cactus found in this region, including the prickly pear, teddy bear cholla, and of course the giant saguaro.
Cactus Forest seen from Cactus Forest Overlook
3. Cactus Forest Overlook
The next viewpoint on this journey shares this drive’s namesake, Cactus Forest Overlook. Interestingly you might not see very much of a cactus forest from here, and that’s because the view from this spot has drastically changed over the last century. In the 1930s, a sea of giant saguaros blanketed the fields below, which was a huge factor in the establishment of Saguaro National Monument in 1933. However, record-breaking freezing temperatures in both 1937 and 1962 obliterated their numbers, and grazing cattle were preventing the sprouting of young saguaros. Thankfully, the NPS acquired all livestock grazing rights in the Cactus Forest in 1979, and a new generation has been growing in numbers ever since.
Cristate (or “crested”) saguaro cactus near Mica View Trailhead
4. Mica View Trail
Continuing on this adventure, I recommend taking a small detour down the short gravel road to the Mica View Trailhead and Picnic Area. This gravel road is well maintained and perfectly suitable for low clearance vehicles. Just about a 1/2 mile down the gravel road you find a lovely area with several picnic tables, restrooms, and grills to enjoy lunch or a midday snack in the shade.
Mica View Trail in Saguaro National Park East
If you have the time, I’d take a stroll along Mica View Trail here to get a close-up view of the Cactus Forest before heading back out on the road. You can enjoy the beauty of this trail in under a mile, but Mica View Trail can also be combined with several more challenging routes in this area, making it possible to customize your journey to your desired distance and difficulty. One of the more popular routes combines the Mica View Trail and a portion of Cactus Forest Trail for a beautiful 2 mile loop here.
Desert Ecology Trail along Saguaro’s Cactus Forest Drive
5. Desert Ecology Trail
Continuing back on the main Cactus Forest Drive, the next stop is the Desert Ecology Trail. For those who want to walk around a bit, but are looking for a very gentle and family-friendly stroll, Desert Ecology Trail will absolutely fit the bill. Coming in at a 1/4 mile, this short jaunt will take you through a beautiful section of the forest with all types of unique plant species that thrive in this area...and this is a popular spot with birders too!
For more information on this hike, check out my full Desert Ecology Trail blog post.
Creek running through Cactus Forest seen from Riparian Overlook
6. Riparian Overlook
Just a few miles down the road we continue on to the Riparian Overlook. The interpretive panels here speak of the wonderful wildlife found in this region...however, this is also one of the best spots along this drive to see a vast display of giant saguaros. During years of normal rainfall, the canyon seen here contains abundant life with pools of water. After heavy summer rains, this canyon may contain a raging torrent...in fact, this section of road may be occasionally closed due to flooding.
Rincon Mountains Overlook along Cactus Forest Drive
7. Rincon Mountains Overlook
Next up is the Rincon Mountains Overlook, which looks somewhat similar to the Riparian Overlook. This spot has great panoramic views of the Cactus Forest and mountainous terrain to the southeast.
Javelina Rocks along Cactus Forest Drive in Saguaro National Park East
8. Javelina Rocks
Javelina Rocks is one of my personal favorite stops along this loop. Named after the javelinas that enjoy taking shelter under the boulders here, these rock formations are truly unique. These features also make for a great spot to view sunset...and the abundance of cholla cactus in this area almost glow like Joshua Tree National Park’s Cholla Cactus Garden when the golden hour sunlight hits them.
Sunset at Javelina Rocks in Saguaro National Park East
9. Freeman Homestead Trail
One mile down the road is the turnoff for the Javelina Picnic Area, where you’ll find picnic tables, informative panels, and restrooms. Also along this road are two popular trailheads: The Tanque Verde Ridge and the Freeman Homestead Trail. The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail is an intense 18 mile out and back day hike to Tanque Verde Peak with 4000 feet in elevation. The Freeman Homestead Trail, on the other hand, is an easy 1 mile lollipop loop that takes you to the foundations of a house that once stood here, belonging to early 1900 pioneers.
Variety of cacti found in the Sonoran Desert in Saguaro National Park East
10. Living Desert Overlook
The last stop along our journey is the Living Desert Overlook. This is a great opportunity to soak in the saguaro views one last time before exiting the park. If you’re sticking around for sunset, though, I’d recommend heading around the loop again to Javelina Rocks.
Sunset at Javelina Rocks in Saguaro National Park East
Know Before You
• Saguaro National Park is open 365 days per year. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. However, vehicle access to Cactus Forest Drive is open from sunrise to sunset daily. If you stay for sunset, don’t worry, you won’t get stuck inside. The gate will open for you automatically when you exit.
• Rincon Mountain Visitor Center in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park is located at 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730 in Pima County. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and closed on Christmas Day.
• View maps of Saguaro National Park’s two scenic loop drives for numerous hiking trails you can explore, including Desert Ecology Trail.
• Please remember all the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit and be aware all resources (living and non-living) are protected in the National Park. Picking up/taking any resource is prohibited.
• There are no concession stands, snack/soda machines, or restaurants in either section park. Water fountains are found at both visitor centers and only there.
• There is little to no cell reception throughout the entire national park, so make sure to have reliable GPS when exploring Saguaro National Park.
• Remain on trails at all times. No off-trail use is permitted in areas below 4,500ft elevation.
• Hiking at night is allowed, but vehicles may not be parked anywhere on interior roads beyond the gate at Old Spanish Trail (except backcountry users with valid permit parked at Javelina Picnic Area).
• Pets must be on a leash, not more than 6 feet long at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails, except for the Desert Ecology Trail and the paved section of Mica View Trail (between Mica View Picnic Area and the Broadway Trailhead). Pets may be walked along the roads & are allowed in the picnic grounds. Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities are allowed to go with their owner.
• Plan hikes ahead and tell someone where you are and when you will return. In summer, it can be very hot & dry. Plan to do your hiking in the early morning when it is cooler, During the summer months, make sure to be back to the trailhead by 10am. If the forecast estimates temperatures over 110 *F, hiking when it is this hot can be dangerous.
Top 10 Things to Do in Southern Arizona
Tombstone
Coronado National Memorial
Picacho Peak State Park
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Pima Air & Space Museum
Cactus Forest Drive one-way loop road
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Saguaro National Park. For a virtual visit of Cactus Forest Drive, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Desert Ecology Trail in Saguaro National Park East
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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