Saguaro NP--East--Cactus Forest Dr Loop

Saguaro NP--East--Cactus Forest Dr Loop

Rincon Mountain District (East) 3693 South Old Spanish Trail

Official Website
Cactus Forest Drive Loop map
Saguaro National Park website
Saguaro National Park maps

About this Location

The Cactus Forest Drive is a one-way paved loop road that runs through the heart of an extensive saguaro forest in the Saguaro National Park Eastern District and offers a leisurely look at a wide variety of Sonoran Desert life.

About Saguaro NP East - Rincon Mountain District

See all hotspots at Saguaro NP East - Rincon Mountain District

Saguaro National Park is composed of two distinct districts: The Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District. The Tucson Mountain District lies on the west side of Tucson, Arizona, while the Rincon Mountain District lies on the east side of Tucson. Both districts were formed to protect and exhibit forests of their namesake plant: the Saguaro Cactus.

Most people think of Saguaro National Park as being a desert park. True, the lower elevations of the park encompass Sonoran Desert Vegetation, but there is much more to Saguaro National Park than just cacti.

The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,670 ft to 8,666 ft and contains 6 biotic communities. The biotic communities (starting from the lowest elevation) include desert scrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, pine-oak woodland, pine forest, and mixed conifer forest. The average annual precipitation is approximately 12.30 in. The Rincon Mountains peak at a considerably higher elevation than the Tucson Mountains, therefore there are more biotic communities and increased plant and wildlife diversity. Because of the higher elevation in the Rincons, animals like the black bear, Mexican spotted owl, Arizona mountain king snake, and white-tailed deer live in this district.

Content from Official Website and Saguaro National Park webpage