Desert Discovery Trail, Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Desert Discovery Trailhead, Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Desert Discovery Trail - 0.4 miles
Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Desert Discovery Trailhead
| Round-Trip Length: | 0.4 miles ((handicap accessible)) |
| Start-End Elevation: | 2,430' - 2,450' |
| Elevation Change: | +20' roundtrip elevation gain |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Desert Discovery Trail - 0.4 Miles Round-Trip
The Desert Discovery Trail is a .4 mile paved loop through a rich collection of Sonoran Desert ecology framed by rugged peaks of the Tucson Mountain District.
Interpretive signs offer valuable insight to the area's complex biology and anthropology dating back thousands of years.
The Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill Trails also come highly recommended for their educational value and easy access.
For more information on the Park's unique ecosystems and storied anthropology, stop by the Red Hills Visitor Center or the renowned Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N32 15.750 W111 12.625 — Desert Discovery Trailhead
Worth Noting
- Bottled water is longer sold in Saguaro National Park. Water bottle filling stations have been installed at both visitor centers and the Rincon District bike ramada for visitors to refill reusable water bottles.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- Backcountry camping is not permitted in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. Backcountry camping is permitted in the Rincon Mountain District (east of Tucson). Reservations and permits and can be obtained at the visitor center.
Directions to Trailhead
From Tucson, take Speedway Blvd west (it will become West Gates Pass Road) and continue west to Kinney Road. Turn right onto Kinney Road and follow it past the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and Red Hills Visitor Center. The Desert Discovery Trailhead is located one mile northwest of the Red Hills Visitors Center on Kinney Road.
Contact Information
Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District
27 North Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
520.733.5158
Arizona State Land Department
233 North Main Ave
Tucson 85701
520.628.5480
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