Note that trailers/RVs longer than 35 feet or any vehicle wider than 8 feet are not permitted. Fees Drive 30.5 miles to Barlow Pass. It’s a paved, one-way, eight-mile loop road that should take you at least 45 minutes to an hour to properly explore by taking multiple stops at the different overlooks. Cactus Forest Trail. Compare efforts Toggle details. Where can I ride? Cactus Forest Loop Drive. The Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District (east) is an 8-mile paved loop. However, for folks who don't have much time in the park, are with friends and family who aren't hikers, or are literally just driving through, the Cactus Forest Loop is the perfect activity. 1. The loop drive in Saguaro National Park East is a great way to see the landscape with plenty of Saguaros. The Loop drive at Saguaro National Park provides a smooth and beautiful overview of Sonoran desert landscape. Numerous sharp turns and hills make this a challenging but scenic option. From Granite Falls, go east on the Mountain Loop Highway. It features an excellent display saguaro cactus and other desert foliage as it winds through the desert. The Bajada Loop Drive in the Tucson Mountain District (west) is a 6-mile gravel loop. “A … The Cactus Forest Trail is a long 10-mile hike that can be broken down into smaller segments, since there are essentially four starting points for the trailheads. The primary attraction in Saguaro National Park East is the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. A guide to the natural and cultural history of the Cactus Forest Loop Drive is available for $2.00 at the visitor center. Elapsed time: 00:00:00 ; 32x. Driving- The Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a paved, combination one- and two-way road. This campground is located in a beautiful forest setting offering 40 miles of combined four-wheel drive and motorcycle/quad trails of varying difficulty. Beginning at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, the one-way Cactus Forest Drive Loop leads visitors on a leisurely eight-mile journey through a saguaro forest. The most popular scenic drive is the Cactus Forest Loop in the west. We visited in May 2015. Cactus Forest Trail is a 10 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Tucson, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. “One of our most concerning statistics at the park is that we have averaged 7 major bicycle related accidents a year over the past 5 years on the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. Cactus Forest in Saguaro National Park March 5, 2013 By Anne McKinnell 26 Comments This winter we are trying to visit the National Parks in the southwest that we missed last year so, after our visit to San Diego, we decided to head over to Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Sort by: Rank Date. The Desert Ecology Trail in Saguaro East is a short, 0.25-mile paved interpretive trail off Cactus Forest Loop Drive, offering the perfect introduction to the Sonoran Desert. Upon entering the East side of the park you drive onto the seriously scenic Cactus Forest Loop Drive. At a Glance It's a paved 8.3 mile road, which provides access to two picnic areas and several hiking trailheads. Length 10 miElevation gain 511 ftRoute type Out & back Cactus Forest Drive is a wonderful 8-mile, paved drive through the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park east of Tucson. After you leave the Administration Building, signs along the 9.1-mile loop road will direct your attention to special exhibits along the way. It’s a perfect choice for someone looking for an easy to moderate hike with pretty minimal elevation gain and close encounters with large saguaro cactusesalong with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and desert terrain. Horses are also able to use this trail. Here, travelers rent a vehicle at the airport and many enjoy a city break in Seattle for a day or two before they head out on the Cascade Loop. The forest spans 100,000 acres and is crisscrossed with trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and off-road vehicles. The eight-mile paved road offers the best scenery of any route in the park—hiked or driven. Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 154 miles northeast of Seattle; Length: 7.2-mile round-trip loop; Difficulty Rating: Intermediate; Best For: A lovely day hike with stunning views and autumn colors in season; Dogs: Leashed Located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, this hike tours the national forest on the southeastern edge of North … Park here and proceed on foot past the gate on the Monte Cristo Road for 4.0 miles to the junction with the Monte Cristo campground road. 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