The Saguaro Wilderness Area was officially designated as wilderness in 1976. This large, roadless backcountry consists of 57,930 acres within the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. It is bounded on three sides by the 38,590 acre Rincon Mountain Wilderness Area, which lies within the Coronado National Forest. Although these wilderness areas are adjacent to one another, management philosophies differ.
Plant communities within the Saguaro Wilderness Area vary from hot and dry desert scrub to cool and moist pine forest. Six different biotic communities are represented here including: desert scrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, pine oak woodland, pine forest and mixed conifer forest. This biologically diverse area supports a tremendous variety of plant and animal species. Please help us protect this wild and wonderful place; leave all natural and cultural objects as you find them
Camping
Looking to spend the night in the backcountry? The Saguaro Wilderness contains six campites, which are availailable for reservation on recreation.gov for $8 per campsite, per night. Information on the different campsites in the park can be found on our camping page.
Water
Without a doubt, water will be your most precious resource when out in the backcountry at Saguaro National Park. Water sources are seasonal and can be scarce. All campsites are located near some type of water source, but this does not mean there is water at each location year-round. Water is most reliable in the spring months as snow melts down the mountain, filling our creeks and drainages. If there is significant rain during the summer monsoon, we can expect some water sources to be available throughout the summer and into the fall. Always filter or treat your water before consumption to avoid potential illness.
If you are planning a backpacking trip into the Saguaro Wilderness, call the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153 to get the latest water reports.
Trailheads
Five trailheads allow you to access the Saguaro Wilderness Area, though some are much easier to access than others. Follow the text below to determine which is best for your trip.
Easy Access
Tanque Verde Ridge Trailhead
Tanque Verde Ridge trailhead is located at the Javelina Picnic Area along the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. This picnic area is 1.5 miles on the two-way section of the drive from the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center. From Tanque Verde Ridge trailhead, it is a 7 mile hike to Juniper Basin campground and roughly 15.5 to Mica Mountain.
Douglas Spring Trailhead
You will find the Douglas Spring trailhead at the eastern end of Speedway Boulevard on the south side of the road. This area can be accessed 24 hours a day and is never locked; thus, it is best practice to not leave any valuables in your car when parking overnight. There is a designated parking area; however, during the busy season, you will find cars lining the side of the road, and this is also a permissable option for parking. From the Douglas Spring trailhead, you can access the Douglas Spring trail, which will take you 6.5 miles to Douglas Spring campground and roughly 13.5 to Mica Mountain.
Moderate Access
Loma Alta Trailhead
The Loma Alta trailhead is on the southern border of the park boundary on Camino Loma Alta. Camino Loma Alta turns into a dirt road in the last 0.5 miles, and the parking lot is located at the very end of the road.
Miller Creek Trailhead and Turkey Creek Trailhead
These trailheads are generally accessible by truck or car. However, during or after heavy rainfall, access to these trailheads can be restricted or impassable. To reach eiter of these trailheads, take the interstate (I-10) east until exit #297 and head north on Happy Valley road. The road is paved for the first two miles then turns to graded gravel for the remainder of its length. When you enter the Coronado National Forest, the road is named USFS Route #35. The turnoff to Miller Creek Trailhead is 16 miles north of I-10.
The Turkey Creek turnoff is 0.5 miles beyond the Miller Creek turnoff. Look for USFS Route #4408 and turn left. Vehicles without high clearance and 4-wheel-drive will not be able to navigate the last 1.6 miles leading to the Turkey Creek trailhead.
Both Miller Creek and Turkey Creek trailheads are located on USFS lands; you must hike an additional 1.5 miles on each trail before you reach the boundary of Saguaro National Park.
Difficult Access
Italian Spring Trailhead
The Italian Spring trailhead is the most difficult to access. To reach this trailhead, drive east on Tanque Verde road. At the intersection with Wentworth road, Tanque Verde road will turn into Redington road. At the boundary of the Coronado National Forest, the surface of Redington road will change from pavement to gravel. While the gravel portion does not reqire a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, high clearance is recommended as it is not regularly maintained and is usually in poor condition.
From the beginning of the gravel, travel 9.6 miles to USFS Route #37 and turn right. Vehicles with 4-wheel-drive and high clearance may drive an additional 2.6 miles to the Italian Spring trailhead. This trailhead is located on USFS lands; you must hike an additional 5.1 miles to reach the boundary of Saguaro National Park.
Camping at Saguaro National Park is available year-round, but sites are first come, first serve.
Wilderness Regulations
Off-trail travel is only permissable above 4,500 feet in elevation.
Campfires are prohibited at the Douglas Spring and Grass Shack campgrounds. Gas stoves are encouraged at all campgrounds.
Where campfires are allowed, make sure your fire is completely extinguished before departing.
Only dead and downed wood may be collected and burned.
Mechanized or motorized vehicles are prohibited in the wilderness area.
Pets are prohibited in the wilderness.
Outhouses are provided at all six designated campgrounds. Elsewhere, bury human waste at least 150 feet from trails, meadows and water sources.
Do not put trash in the outhouses.
Digging trenches around tents or modifying camp areas is prohibited.
Camping is allowed in designated campgrounds only. There is no spike camping allowed in the park.
Pack out everything you pack in.
Use bear-proof containers provided at campsites. Store all scented items including food, garbage and toiletries inside these containers.
Persons under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Maximum group size is 18 people.
NPS Photo / TWiewel
Leave No Trace
Pay attention to your impact on wilderness to preserve the land and ecology in the park by leaving no trace!
Principles of Leave No Trace
Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you intend to visit. Prepare for potential environmental hazards such as extreme weather circumstances. Use a map or GPS technology to travel safely and be aware of your location.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Move through outdoor areas without causing damage to the land, foliage or waterways. Durable surfaces are established trails, campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from any water source.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out! Inspect your campsite for any leftover trash or spilled food. Deposit solid human waste in 6 - 8 inch catholes at least 200 feet from water sources, camp and trails.
Leave What You Find: Take only photos, leave only footprints. Please observe any cultural, historical or natural resources found, but do not touch them. Avoid inroducing or transporting any non-native seeds into the park; you can do this by using a boot brush station found at the Broadway, Douglas Spring and Tanque Verde Ridge trailheads.
Minimize Fire Impacts: In the Saguaro Wilderness Area, campfires are only permitted at Juniper Basin, Manning, Spud Rock and Happy Valley campgrounds. When making fires at campground sites, please use established fire rings and build your fires with dead and downed wood only. Keep campfires small and ensure that they are fully extinguished before leaving the area.
Respect Wildlife: Human impacts on wildlife can result in negative human-wildlife interactions, aggressive animals, a decline in the ecosystem’s health, and relocated or euthanized animals. Please keep a safe distance from wildlife and report any abnormal animal behavior.
Be Considerate of Others: You may not be as alone as you think in the wilderness. Be courteous and avoid obstructive noises while traversing the backcountry.
Saguaro National Park's pack mules help open Manning Camp for the season
NPS Photo / TWiewel
Livestock Regulations
At Saguaro National Park, livestock is defined as mules, donkeys and horses only. All other animals, including pets and other livestock, are prohibited.
Livestock are prohibited on the Tanque Verde Ridge and Miller Creek trails and the last half mile of the Rincon Peak trail.
The maximum number of livestock allowed overnight at the Douglas Spring, Grass Shack, Spud Rock and Happy Valley Saddle campgrounds is 5 head.
Free-trailing, loose herding or tying livestock to trees is prohibited.
Grazing is prohibited within the park. You must provide your own feed. Weed-free pellets are recommended.
Livestock droppings must be removed and scattered away from campgrounds.
Livestock at Manning Camp
Manning Camp, located in the heart of the Saguaro Wilderness Area, is the primary staging area for a variety of wilderness management functions. During the summer, both fire and trail crews use Manning Camp as their base of the operation. Throughout the year, a variety of researchers also stay at Manning Camp while studying the plants and animals of the park. The supplies needed to support these operations are carried into the backcountry by pack mules. Due to the number of livestock at Manning Camp, additional rules apply:
All livestock at Manning Camp must be kept in the corrals. There are two small corrals and one large corral.
When government-owned livestock are at Manning Camp, privately-owned livestock are not permitted. Call the visitor center ahead of time to check corral availability.
The maximum number of livestock allowed overnight at Manning Camp is 10 head.
Water for livestock is available at the troughs in the corrals during the summer months only.
When water is not available in the troughs, livestock must be watered at the creek below the corrals.
Livestock and people are not allowed within the fenced water storage pond above the dam.
Livestock are not allowed in campsites at any time.
Hitching posts are provided for loading/unloading only. Livestock must be loaded/unloaded at the hitching post and supplies carried to and from your campsite.
Do not put saddles on hitching posts or tie livestock to corral fences.
Picketing or hobbling of livestock is not allowed at Manning Camp.
