Tucson AccessTrails

Saguaro National Park West
Sendero Esperanza Trail

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Trail Facts at a Glance

Name: Saguaro National Park West,

Sendero Esperanza Trail

Park agency: National Park Service, Saguaro National Park West

Contact: Visitor Center (520) 733-5153

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

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

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

Trail length plus more: 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’

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

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

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Overview

Location and Arrival

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:

Saguaro National Park West offers over 40 miles of hiking trails in the Sonoran Desert. We focused on the Sendero Esperanza Trail (translated to path of hope in English). This trail offers a short, natural-surface hike with both city views and mountain vistas.

The route to the trailhead is a scenic drive through Saguaro National Park West. Start at the main Visitor Center to get oriented and fill your water bottle. Then, it is a short drive to the 4-mile dirt road – named Golden Gate Road - that ends at the trailhead. There, you will find good parking and an accessible gender-neutral restroom.

The Sendero Esperanza Trail is a three-mile, one-way route that crosses a network of other trails heading even further in all directions. The first half-mile of the Sendero Esperanza Trail is wide with a mild grade of 0-4%. From there, the trail is steeper and rockier, and it passes through an extensive sandy wash. Nonetheless, even a short 1-mile roundtrip hike offers a stunning stroll through the saguaro forest. The hike can begin or end with a picnic lunch on tables at the trailhead.

Don’t expect any shade, drinking fountains, or benches on this wilderness hike. Follow the standard advice for hiking safely in the desert; that is, hike early, carry water, dress for weather, and watch for wildlife. And the Park does not allow dogs on this trail.

After the hike, it is a pleasant drive back to the Visitor Center for a cold drink and a snack. Along that drive, there are two popular stops. One is the Desert Discovery Nature Trail, which is a paved 0.4-mile loop with a series of interpretive signs describing the unique desert flora, fauna, weather, and geology. The Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible, and dogs are allowed on leash. Another stop is the Signal Hill Petroglyph Site. However, the trail to view the petroglyphs is steep, rocky, and narrow, with multiple rock staircases.

This hike on the Sendero Esperanza Trail offers a panoramic view of the Sonoran Desert that will change dramatically with the light, the seasons, and the weather. So, visit often and always bring your camera.