Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park West
Happy Monday friends! This week we’re exploring a wonderful Spring hiking trail inside Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. As we hike this top-rated nature trail, we’ll be treated with abundant wildlife, towering saguaro cacti, and stunning vistas. Join me on a scenic stroll along the Valley View Overlook Trail.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: > 1 mile RT
• Elevation Change: 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Towering giant saguaros along Valley View Overlook Trail
Location
Saguaro National Park is divided into two separate sections that are located 30 miles apart. The east section is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD) and the west section is known as the Tucson Mountain District (TMD)...but most people just refer to them as “Saguaro East” and “Saguaro West”. When seeking out a hiking trail in Saguaro, it’s important to know which side of the park it’s in before you head out to explore since the two districts are located on separate sides of Tucson, about an hour drive from each other. Today we’ll be hiking in Saguaro West (TMD). The Valley View Overlook trailhead is located along the scenic Bajada Loop Drive, 3 miles north of the Red Hills Visitor Center.
Valley View Overlook Trailhead in Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain District)
Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park
Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain District)
Valley View Overlook Trail Hike
A sizable sign marked “View Trail” stands next to the parking area and trailhead, directing you where to begin this hike. Just past the trailhead you quickly reach your first trail junction (Valley View Overlook Trail overlaps the Bajada Wash Trail and Wild Dog Trail, making additional hiking an easy option here). You cross two washes along this trail as you continue forward. The trail then takes you up multiple sections of stone packed steps which were originally created by the Civilian Conservation Corps nearly a century ago. Along the trail, make sure to keep an eye out for the park's resident wildlife, including desert birds, lizards, and if you're lucky, maybe even a glimpse of a desert tortoise or coyote. This well maintained dirt and gravel path will only rise 50 feet in elevation, but soon you reach a wide open section with a singular perfectly perched bench marking the official Valley View Overlook, a wonderful place to sit and take in the views before turning back the way you came to complete this refreshing hike in under a mile round-trip.
Saguaro views from Valley View Overlook
Valley View Overlook viewpoint in Saguaro National Park
Saguaro cactus forest seen from Valley View Overlook
Valley View Overlook
One of the most stunning park viewpoints, Valley View Overlook offers sweeping views of the Avra Valley below to the northwest and the distant Rincon Mountains beyond...on clear day you can even see Picacho Peak. This scenic vista provides the perfect backdrop for a restorative snack break or a moment of quiet contemplation as you soak in the natural beauty of the desert landscape. The saguaro cactus forest in front of you seems to stretch endlessly here. It’s incredible to think that most of the giants below have been standing for over 100 years.
Valley View Overlook in Saguaro National Park
Hiking through giant saguaros along Valley View Overlook Trail
Additional Hiking
The Bajada Wash Trail connects the Sus Picnic Area to Hohokam Road. This 1.7-mile trail (one-way) parallels the Bajada Loop Drive and also offers connection to other trails, including direct access from Valley View Overlook Trail for additional hiking. You can also take the Valley View Trail directly to Wild Dog Trail for an additional 1.8 miles of hiking here, and the nearby Dobe Wash Trail connects to the Hugh Norris Trail heading to Wasson Peak for a truly challenging day hike. Wasson Peak is over 4600 feet in elevation, with this trail climbing 2500 feet of that...this trail is very strenuous and not recommended (and rather undoable) in hot mid-day summer weather.
Coyotes along Bajada Loop Drive near the Valley View Overlook Trailhead
Closeup of a budding staghorn cholla cactus along the trail
Know Before You Go
• There are over a dozen parking spots for the trail and the parking area is rarely full.
• The section of Bajada Loop Drive where this trailhead is found is an unpaved graded dirt road. High clearance and 4 wheel drive is not needed, however make sure to check the most up-to-date road conditions at the official Saguaro NPS website.
• There are no restrooms at the trailhead or on the trail, so stop at the Red Hills Visitor Center or at the nearby Sus Picnic Area along the Bajada Loop Drive before your hike.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and sturdy hiking shoes. Even on easy hikes like this, the Sonoran Desert terrain can be rugged and unforgiving, especially during the hot summer months.
• To beat the national park crowds, consider visiting before 9:00 am or after 3:00 pm, and often the best time of year to enjoy exposed desert hiking like this is Fall through Spring, avoiding the brutally hot summer months.
• Please remember all the Leave No Trace Principles and recreate responsibly on your adventures.
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
Unique giant saguaro along Valley View Overlook Trail
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Saguaro National Park. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a novice explorer, hiking the Valley View Overlook Trail is an experience not to be missed. For a virtual visit, 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.
Bench at the Valley View Overlook in Saguaro National Park
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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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