Visiting Picacho Peak State Park in Arizona

 

Hiking Picacho Peak

With a few trails to explore, hiking is the most popular activity at Picacho Peak. None of the trails are especially long, but the route to reach the peak has cable sections and is rated as difficult.

 

Trail Notes:

• Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
• Keep in mind when heading out that many of the trails are exposed and have loose rocks.
• Hiking to the peak may give you the very best vantage point to admire the surrounding desert. But, you can also get a nice view while gaining elevation along the Calloway Trail. No need to manage the cables on Hunter Trail, if that’s not what you consider enjoyable.

 

Official Trails at Picacho Peak:

• Memorial Loop: 0.1 mile loop. wheelchair accessible with interpretive signs for the Civil War Battle of Picacho Pass.
• Nature Trail: 0.5 mile loop. easy trail with interpretive signs.
• Children’s Cave Trail: 0.4 miles, out and back. trail with interpretive signs leading uphill to a small cave.
• Calloway Trail: 1 mile, out and back. trail with 300+ feet of elevation gain leading to a scenic overlook
• Hunter Trail: 3.2 miles, out and back. challenging trail that climbs to the peak, with steep sections requiring use of cables
• Sunset Vista Trail: 6.2 miles, out and back. this trail begins at the western parking area, then winds around the backside of the mountain before joining the Hunter Trail to the peak.

 

 

Flora & Fauna

The exciting thing about hiking is being among the plants never knowing for sure what kind of local critters you might encounter. Picacho Peak is home to a variety of desert plants and wildlife. From the adorable cottontail rabbit to the venomous western diamondback rattlesnake, there are many fascinating creatures you might come across. Keep an eye out for cactus wren, ground squirrels, and speedy lizards. You may even spot a javelina.

 

 

FUN FACT: The Saguaro cactus flower is Arizona’s state flower

 

 

 

Geocaching

For a little extra exploring, download the geocache app and go on a present day treasure hunt. A number of geocaches are placed in and around Picacho Peak.

 

Arizona Sunset

If you need an excuse to visit southern Arizona – I suggest adding “See a sunset in southern Arizona” to your bucket list, then go check it off. There really is something magical about a landscape that seems determined to ruin your day, only to reveal its stunning beauty in the end.

 

 

 

 

Camping at Picacho Peak

Picacho Peak State park has 78 sites for RV and tent camping. Each site has electricity, but no water or sewer hookups. As the park is located in the desert, campsites are not situated within the comfort of a shade tree.

Be sure to arrive by 10pm because the gates close and you cannot enter the park again until morning.

We stayed in Picacho one night. The campground was fairly basic, but we have no complaints. It was a great place to stop during one of our visits from Saguaro National Park to Phoenix.

Optional Items to Bring

• Water
• 10 Essentials
• Collapsible Hiking Poles
• Portable Solar Charger
• Sunscreen
• Car Roadside Emergency Ki

 

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