This information is a public record of the 1982 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Desert Ecology Trail

National Park Service Backcountry Trail

Length
0.3 miles
Elevation Gain
--
Route Type
Loop

(1 review)

Located in the Sonoran desert, this paved interpretative, signed trail gives an overview of the plants, animals, weather encountered in the desert.

Beautiful landscape and skies on the Desert Ecology Trail. Photo by Sue Crowe

This is one of the two dog-friendly trails in Saguaro NP South. Sue and Callie show the height of this Saguaro.

Past life on the trail

Yucca plant

One of the huge Saguaro Cactus on the Desert Ecology Trail.

photo by Ken Lund, Flickr

Desert Ecology Trail - Feb 13, 2018. Photo by Jim Walla.

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Location: Near Tucson in Rincon Mountain unit of Saguaro National Mon. along the Cactus Forest Scenic Drive.

States: Arizona

Located in the Sonoran desert, this paved interpretative, signed trail gives an overview of the plants, animals, and weather encountered in the desert.

Saguaro National Park invites you to "Experience Your America" in a way that only the Sonoran Desert can offer. This unique desert is home to the most recognizable cactus in the world, the majestic saguaro. Visitors of all ages are fascinated and enchanted by these desert giants, especially their many interesting and complex interrelationships with other desert life. Saguaro cacti provide their sweet fruits to hungry desert animals. They also provide homes to a variety of birds, such as the Harris' hawk, Gila woodpecker, and the tiny elf owl. Yet, the saguaro requires other desert plants for its very survival. During the first few years of a very long life, a young saguaro needs the shade and protection of a nurse plant such as the Palo Verde tree. With an average life span of 150 years, a mature saguaro may grow to a height of 50 feet and weigh over 10 tons.

While most visitors to Saguaro National Park choose a leisurely drive on one of our scenic loop drives, those eager for an escape from the rigors of city life often opt to explore the park on one of our many trails. With over 150 miles of hiking trails, ranging from flat and easy strolls in the Sonoran Desert to steep and rugged hikes into the Rincon Mountains, visitors of every ability have a place to get out of the car and explore.

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Reviews

Jim Walla

Feb 14, 2018

Desert Ecology Trail - February 13, 2018

This trail is exactly as advertised. It is a short, paved nature walk with signage about the wildlife and plant life. Nothing spectacular, but not much of a time investment either. If you want to do a hike in the desert, there are better trails at Saguaro National Park for that purpose. If you want to just get a quick taste of the desert and learn something along the way, this trail is just fine.

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Allowed Uses:

Hiking/Walking

Public Contact

Robert Marek
Saguaro National Monument
3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730
(520) 733-5103

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

Elevation (low): --
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Part of a Trail System? No
Surface (primary): Paved
Surfaces (additional): --

Tread Width (average): 60"
Tread Width (minimum): --
Running length (minimum): --

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Cross-slope (average, percent): --
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Certified as an NRT
Apr 12, 1982

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