Saguaro National Park is such a cool place to visit. instead of seeing a forest of tree, you see forests of cacti literally everywhere. If you’re looking for a great, family-friendly hike to get up close (but not too close!) to these beautiful plants, make sure to add the Desert Discovery Trail to your list!

How to Get to the Desert Discovery Trail:

Remember that Saguaro National Park is separated (by the city of Tuscon) into two districts. They are the Rincon Mountain District (East Side) and the Tuscon Mountain District (West Side). When you navigate using GPS make sure you are going to the right district!

To get to the Desert Discovery Trail, you will want to make sure you are headed to the Tucson Mountain District or West Side of the park. The trailhead for the Desert Discovery Trail is right off the main road heading up to the Visitor’s Center.

What to Expect on the Desert Discovery Trail:

Saying that the Desert Discovery Trail is a hike is a bit of a stretch. This is more of a walk along a very flat, paved trail. The trail itself is a simple .4 mile loop that takes you across the desert floor and near many different kinds of cacti. There are many informational plaques along the route that you can easily stop and read to learn more about the plant and animal life in the area.

The parking lot is not large, so know that finding a parking spot might be difficult. Luckily, the hike does not take very long so it probably won’t take too long before a spot opens up. Also make sure that you keep track of your kids. In some places along the trail, you can come pretty close to cacti. Make sure you talk to your kids about being safe, staying on the trail, and not touching anything!

Sum Up:

The Desert Discovery Trail is a great way to stretch your legs at Saguaro National Park. You and your whole family, regardless of ability, should be able to access and enjoy this hike. The trail is a simple .4 mile loop along a flat, paved path, making it easily accessible to strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs.