Saguaro (West)

All Access Route / Tucson, Arizona / Published: Nov 2020 / Updated: Mar 2025 / Directions

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Cyclists on Kinney Road near Saguaro National Park West.

Leading out! / November 27, 2020

Saguaro cactus

Cyclist on gravel road, climbing, in Saguaro National Park - West.

The beginning of the gravel climb, ~ mile 2.

Two cyclists on gravel road in Saguaro National Park near Tucson, AZ.

Cholla cactus

Gravel Girl on dirt road in Saguaro National Park.

Picnic area in Saguaro National Park West.

The turn around spot.

Captain O getting a bite to eat on his gravel bike in Saguaro National park.

Captain O grabbing a bite to eat.

From Wasson Peak on the hike.

From Wasson Peak on the hike.

Looking towards the Catalina Mountains from a high point in Saguaro National Park.

The view from the crest just beyond the turn around point.

Descending!

Cyclist on gravel road with giant Saguaro cactus with arms.

Desert landscape with giant Saguaro Cactus.

Cyclist on Kinney Drive in Saguaro National Park West.

Back on pavement, slight uphill finish. ~ mile 9.

Saguaro Cactus in late afternoon sun in November.

The Visitor Center

Route:

Tootsie Roll | 11 mi

Gain:

800 ft

Surface:

65% gravel, 35% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Easier

Max Gradient:

+8% / -6%

Sustained Gradient:

3% over 2 miles

Climb Ratio:

0.7

Effort:

1 (out of 5)

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Urban Backcountry

Tire Suggestion:

40 mm+

Options:

Longer

The Saguaro National Park has two sections: east and west, with Tucson in between them both. The west part of the park has a ten-mile loop (actually a loop with doglegs on both ends, something we call a tootsie roll) that is mainly gravel. And while many of you regular Dirty Freehub fans will be making faces like, REALLY, I am going on a bike ride that is only eleven miles, we say this is the perfect dial-down day. Stop and smell the … uh, cactus? Maybe not such a good idea. But we are sure you will enjoy all the saguaros, and this park is just loaded with cool ones, the big old granddaddies that could tell yeah more than a bit of history.

We have added a hike option for those looking for a longer adventure. Please see the Notes & Options tab for details.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 1.0

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Visit when:

the wildflowers are blooming in late February and March or with the saguaros blooming from late April through June.
Or near dusk. The colors can be amazing!
Or, anytime that the temps are cool enough to hop on a bike.

Mid-week the car traffic is less.

Terrain & Riding

Park at the Red Hill Visitor’s Center. Go inside and get acquainted with the area and the park before you head out on your ride.

Lead-out northeast a paved road [Kinney Road](Micro-video) for a short bit with a couple of opportunities to take short hikes. Then you pop onto the gravel loop road. This will climb, and climb some more …. With a variety of offshoots that we recommend you explore. Don’t be in a hurry; just enjoy all the cactus.

At mile 4, continue out to the Ez-Kim-In-Zin picnic area. This is the turn-around point. The road used to continue, but it has been decommissioned for several years now is a rugged, almost unrideable wash.

From the picnic area, it is downhill on gravel(Micro-video) until you reach the paved road. Turn left turn and make your way back to the start on a slightly rising incline.

The Start

Lat / Long: 32.253585, -111.196990

Red Hills Visitor Center, Saguaro National Park. Flush toilets and water.

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Route Notes

For more information on the park, go to their website.
This All Access route is a bit “punchier” than most. Miles 1.7 to 5.2 roll and undulate upwards with short pitches of 8%. All rideable, but requiring just a bit more power.

Route Options

Bike + Hike
From MatthewK …

“Make mine a double! For all the DF fans who think this is a bit on the short side, here’s a suggestion…..

Today we rode this from the visitor center to the Sendero Esperanza trailhead just beyond the published finish. We had a daypack with hiking shoes, lightweight pants, sun shirts and hats and hiked the Sendero Esperanza trail to Mt Wasson. A 100 mile view day (see photos below). 8.0 miles and 1800 feet of gain round trip.

Lock your bike at the trailhead and find the cleanest vault toilet you’ve seen in a long time as a place to change clothes. The hike starts right from there. Our elapsed time round trip with lunch at the summit was 2:55. When you’re back at the trailhead change back into biking gear and roll back to the visitor center on Golden Gate Rd. A bit of washboard but that’s about it.

So if you find yourself thinking this just isn’t much of a ride, do like we did and say, “make mine a double”

P.S. Remember a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water! Cheers!”

– – –

Route/Map: Sendero Esperanza – Wasson Peak Hike
GPX File: Download

Comments

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Love Where You Ride! Learn More

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west, of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti (and 27 other different cacti) silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.

Ridden and Reviewed by:

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.