Saguaro National Park West
Sendero Esperanza Trail

Trail Facts at a Glance

Name: Sendero Esperanza Trail

Location: Visitor Center: 2700 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743

Trailhead: Kinney Rd. to Golden Gate Rd. to picnic area

Trail length plus more: 3 mile one way route, The first half mile is wide (1-mile RT, Gain 150’); the second half mile is narrower and rocky with obstacles such as sand and stairs (2-mile RT, Gain 300’) [after one mile, the trail is very steep and rocky], Elevation 3100’, Slopes < 5%

Trail surface: Rugged natural surface with ruts, rocks, stairs and sandy sections after the first half mile

Parks agency: National Park Service, Saguaro National Park West

Contact: Visitor Center (520) 733-5153

Entrance fee: $15-$25

Trail hours: Unpaved roads to trailheads are open to vehicles from dawn to dusk

Nature & Interpretive Center hours: Visitor Center, 9am-5pm (Oct 1 – May 31), 8am-4pm (June 1—September 30), daily

Transit: None

Dogs: Allowed on roads, picnic areas, and the Desert Discovery Nature Trail, but not on the Sendero Esperanza Trail

Date of last visit: 1/1/2024

Disclaimer:

The information provided is for general guidance only and may not reflect current conditions. Users must assess trails for themselves, consider their own abilities, and assume all risks associated with trail use. Tucson AccessTrails, a nonprofit corporation, is not responsible for any injuries or incidents that may occur. Always use caution and prepare appropriately when visiting trails.

Description:

Overview

Saguaro National Park West offers over 40 miles of hiking trails in the Sonoran Desert.
The focused hike is Sendero Esperanza Trail (“Path of Hope” in English)
Features city views and mountain vistas on a short, natural-surface trail
Panoramic view of the Sonoran Desert that changes dramatically with the light, the seasons, and the weather

Parking, Restrooms, & Amenities

Accessible parking and an accessible gender-neutral restroom.
No shade, drinking fountains, or benches along the route.
Picnic tables at trailhead
The visitor center offers, exhibits about the desert ecosystem and park history, a gift shop, and a 10-minute informational movie about the park
Dogs are not allowed on this trail

Trail Route

Trailhead at the end of Golden Gate Road
The Sendero Esperanza Trail is a 3-mile, one-way route
The first half-mile of the Sendero Esperanza Trail is wide with a mild slopes of 0-4%
The next half mile is narrow and rocky with obstacles such as sand and stairs
The last two miles steeper and rockier