Bike the Parks

Parks / Arizona

Saguaro National Park

A paved loop through a saguaro forest, and some of the only national park singletrack in the West.

4/5
Great riding

Tucson riders' local park: a paved loop and rare singletrack in the east, a gravel loop in the west.

Riding here

Saguaro sits on both sides of Tucson, one of America's best winter cycling cities. The eastern Rincon Mountain District has the 8-mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive and two trails open to bikes, the Cactus Forest Trail and Hope Camp Trail. The western Tucson Mountain District has the gravel Bajada Loop and the Golden Gate multi-use trail through dense saguaro stands.

Where you can ride

Bikes may use park roads, the Cactus Forest Trail and Hope Camp Trail (with the connecting Arizona Trail) in the Rincon Mountain District, and the Bajada Loop Drive and Golden Gate Multi-use Trail in the Tucson Mountain District.

Where you can't

No riding on other trails, including the trails around the Bajada Loop.

Rides

  • Cactus Forest Loop Drive

    • Road
    • 8 mi one-way loop
    • Paved
    • Moderate

    A narrow paved loop with tight turns and steep hills through a classic saguaro forest. A favorite Tucson road ride.

    Start: Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center

  • Cactus Forest Trail

    • Mountain bike
    • 2.5 mi one way
    • Narrow dirt with eroded sections
    • Moderate

    A short, thin trail cutting across the middle of the loop drive.

    Start: North or South trailhead off Old Spanish Trail

  • Hope Camp Trail

    • Mountain bike
    • 2.8 mi from Loma Alta trailhead
    • Dirt
    • Moderate

    Links to the Arizona Trail, where bikes are also allowed.

    Start: Loma Alta trailhead, Camino Loma Alta

  • Bajada Loop Drive

    • Gravel
    • 6 mi loop
    • Gravel, short paved section
    • Easy

    A gravel loop through the densest saguaro stands in the Tucson Mountains.

    Start: Red Hills Visitor Center (west)

  • Golden Gate Multi-use Trail

    • Gravel
    • Wide gravel
    • Easy

    A former road, now closed to cars.

    Start: End of Golden Gate Road or off Picture Rocks Road

When to go

October through April. Summer heat is dangerous; ride at dawn if you must ride then.

Safety

Carry plenty of water. Drinking water is only available outside the visitor centers, not on the drives or at picnic areas.

E-bikes

E-bikes are allowed only where regular bikes are; using the motor without pedaling is barred where cars aren't allowed, and Arizona e-bike law applies.

Fees

A 7-day bicycle entrance pass applies (children under 16 free); annual passes are sold at the visitor centers and entrance station.

Rentals, tours and shuttles

  • Your bike shop hereSample listing

    This spot is for one rental shop, guide service or shuttle near Saguaro: your name, what you offer, and a link straight to your booking page, at the top of this section.

    Feature your shop on this page, free until spring 2027

Run a shop near Saguaro? Add it here.

Sources

Checked November 2026 against these sources. Rules, closures and fees change; confirm with the park before you ride.

  1. Bicycling at Saguaro National Park (NPS)

Edited by David Bussell. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Nearby parks