Hiking Hotspot: Calloway Trail at Picacho Peak State Park
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Picacho Peak is a gorgeous state park located on I-10 about halfway between Casa Grande and Tucson, Arizona. Hiking at this beautiful park makes for a refreshing break for any roadtrippers making the lengthy (and boring) drive through Southern Arizona. I have been taking a lot of interesting roadtrips since moving to Tucson, this being one of many. We passed this state park many times enroute to Phoenix and finally decided to stop for a break to stretch our legs. Not only did we get in a great workout but we also enjoyed a nice quiet, tourist free hike. This place tends to stay quieter thanks to of the off-the-beaten path location.
The striking 3374 foot peak really juts out spectacularly amongst the surrounding flatter desert landscapes. In fact, it can be seen 45 miles away in downtown Tucson! Since ancient times, travelers have used the unique shape of this formation as a landmark. The prominent peak serves as a nice marker of approximately how much time you have left when traveling between Phoenix and Tucson, as I have used it myself on many occasions.
Picacho is not an extinct volcano, although it was formed from ancient lava flow. Picacho means “Peak” in Spanish, thereby making the park’s name redundant.
The park is home to some incredible scenery, and yet still manages to remain quiet due to the unusual location in the middle of nowhere. This state park isn’t the largest, however, the trails here are beyond spectacular in my opinion, and very tranquil due to the low visitation numbers.
No matter how many beautiful trails I hike near Tucson, I am still in awe of the incredible Saguaro cactus. This is one of the only places in the world where you can see this unique plant. It never gets old to me because the scenery is so exotic in comparison to where I come from (Chicago). Picacho is one of just many fantastic hiking areas, although with the added benefit of a completely desolate location.
You will see so many beautiful Saguaro cacti on any trail you choose to hike here. This really is a great park for desert lovers as you will get to enjoy everything which makes the desert so great including exotic plant life, solitude, and colorful sunsets. If you time your visit during the spring season, you will get to see beautiful wildflowers (Mexican poppies) in bloom. Unfortunately, I have not made it out here yet, but I do love gorgeous wildflowers so it is on my list.
Here are a few pictures I took of the gorgeous Saguaro cacti throughout the park. It’s a nice uninterrupted space to enjoy nature. Basically, you can look out from the overlooks and see nothing but pure desert in every direction. Sure, it isn’t the most jaw dropping hiking area in the state, however, I do recommend checking out the trail system here if you are traveling along I-10.
The Calloway trail: A short, steep climb to spectacular views!
If you are not up for a super adventurous, endurance trek up to to the summit, there are shorter options which offer the same stunning scenery via minimal effort. The Calloway trail, a short steep climb of just 0.7 miles, takes you up to a stunning overlook.
You will see a lot of cacti, and if you are lucky, wildlife during the cooler months. I’ve yet to see anything but lizards, but according to the visitor center, you may see desert fox, coyotes, bobcats, mule deer, Western diamondbacks, javelina, and in rare circumstances, even a mountain lion or ringtail cat. I’ve seen a few bobcats hiking around Tucson, but seeing a mountain lion outside of a zoo would be pretty crazy. Gila monsters, one of only 2 venomous lizards in North America, are infrequently sighted, thankfully. Their bites are supposed to be extremely painful, but thankfully most attacks are not fatal. Keep your distance from any wildlife.
Also, like everywhere else I’ve explored in this state, this park is a prime bird watching destination. You can stop by the visitor’s center and pick up a bird list.
From here, you will be able to enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding desertscapes. It’s a really gorgeous trail and super short, so a great bang-for-your-buck option. And it will not take up much of your time, so you can enjoy a short break before getting back in your car. If you are looking to just stretch your legs a bit after a long tiresome drive, this is the perfect trail pick.
What a view!
Asides from hiking, this state park is a great place to picnic and camp. Check out the full list of activities on the park’s website.
Things to know:
Hiking shoes are a must. Also, a hiking stick can come in handy for extra traction.
Weather can be unpredictable. Monsoons are very common during the summer months. It’s considered unsafe to hike if a monsoon is in the forecast (however they can come on suddenly so you never know).
Summer heat is unbearable, reaching triple digit temps daily, consistently from June-September. It’s best to keep your hike short at this time and set out right when the trail opens.
Bring plenty of water or an electrolyte drink if you sweat heavily. A small snack like trail mix is always a good idea.
Know that the Hunter trail to the summit is considered very difficult. Cables and gloves recommended per the park’s website.
There is a restroom, vending machine, and gift shop inside the small visitor’s center.
Hiking details
Location: 15520 Picacho Peak State Rd. Picacho, AZ 85141
Hours: The park is open from 5am-8pm. Visitor’s center hours are 8am-5pm (Sept. 26th-May 1st) and 9am-3pm (May 2nd-Sept. 25th)
Entrance Fee: $10 per car for 1 person, $20 for 2-4. Individual/cyclist rates are $5 per person
Difficulty: Relatively easy (with a moderate climb)
Distance: 0. 7 miles
Pet policy: Leashed dogs allowed on all trails except the Hunter trail to the summit (dogs only allowed to the saddle which defeats the purpose as you will have to turn back). The park also offers dog friendly campgrounds and an off leash dog park for registered campers.
Where to eat: There is not much around in the way of food in this area, so I recommend dining in Tucson before you leave. There are so many wonderful breakfast restaurants I have enjoyed over the years. Check out my breakfast dining guide to find something to your liking. For a quick meal, I recommend the always wonderful Seis tacos.
