Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop
View Photos
Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop
Difficulty Rating:
The Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop is a 6.0mi hike in Tucson’s Saguaro National Park that puts the diverse flora and fauna of the desert on display. This route is moderately difficult and makes for a nice half-day adventure. You’ll want to bring a downloaded GPS track or trail map as the route can be unclear in some spots, but overall we consider this a route worth trying. Dogs are not permitted.
Getting there
The trailhead for the Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop is at the end of W El Camino del Cerro.
About
| Backcountry Campground | No |
| When to do | October-May |
| Pets allowed | No |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Poor |
| Crowd Levels | Moderate |
| Route Type | Loop |
Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop
Elevation Graph
Weather
Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop Description
The Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop is a wonderful moderate hike that makes for a perfect morning out in the desert. With countless saguaros, prickly pears, and chollas along your trail, it’s a quintessential Tucson area scene. Dogs are not permitted on this route, and you’ll need to pay a fee to access the trails in Saguaro National Park.
This hike has no shade and it can get extremely hot in the afternoons, so we suggest an early morning hike or planning your visit outside of the summer months. Bring plenty of water and consider wearing sun protection. Finally, this route can be hard to follow in some spots, so consider downloading a GPS route ahead of time to help you navigate.
From the trailhead, take the obvious route into the park. Pass Thunderbird Mine and continue to a 4-way junction, where you’ll stay left. At the next junction, stay right. Hike in between two small peaks to where the trail splits. Here, head left, then turn east at the next junction to hike through the top of the loop. A right turn brings you back to the main trail, which you can follow back to the trailhead.
Similar hikes to the Cactus Canyon and Gila Monster Loop hike
Shantz, Cholla, and Cactus Forest Loop
The Shantz, Cholla, and Cactus Forest Loop is an easy trail in Tucson’s Saguaro National Park East. The star of…
Cactus Forest, Squeeze Pen, and Pink Hill Loop
The Cactus Forest, Squeeze Pen, and Pink Hill Loop is an easy trail in Tucson’s Saguaro National Park East. This…
Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza, and Dobbie Wash Loop
The Hugh Norris, Sendero Esperanza, and Dobbie Wash Loop is a bit of a mouthful, but it’s a great hike…
Comments