The East Rincon Mountain District has tons of hikes with most of them being rather long and to backcountry campgrounds but it does have some smaller ones as well. The main draw of the Park, in my opinion, is the very beautiful and scenic 8 mile one-way Cactus Forest Loop Drive.

My favorite hike, and the only one I’ve done so far in the East District, is the very short (.25 mile paved loop) but incredibly fun Desert Ecology Trail. I took a wash at one point and used the Cactus Forest Trail instead of the loop back to extend my hike because I was having way too much fun. Each and every Saguaro seemed to have a personality and a spirit and I couldn’t stop staring and smiling at them. I was like a kid in a toy store.

I’m not sure what it is about them that makes me so happy but I hope you also find their presence exciting. The East District to me, seemed a little greener and softer than the more rough and rugged Western District but both are playgrounds of desert fun.