Signal Hill Trail, Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Signal Hill Trailhead, Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Signal Hill Trail - 0.4 miles
Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District: Signal Hill Trailhead
| Round-Trip Length: | 0.4 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 2,455' - 2,495' |
| Elevation Change: | +40' net elevation gain (+50' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | No |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Signal Hill Trail - 0.4 Miles Round-Trip
The Signal Hill Trail takes visitors back in time through a series of petroglyphs left by the Hohokam people, who inhabited this area from 500 to 1100 A.D.
Hohokam is not an ethnic group, but a broader cultural term applied to Native Americans who inhabited the Santa Cruz, San Pedro, Gila and Salt watersheds during this period.
The Hohokam practiced non-traditional rock art, preferring abstract objects such as large spirals, crosses, circles and other geometric shapes.
Discerning eyes will find dozens of petroglyphs etched into large basalt rocks en route to the main glyph viewing area.
The trail begins at the Signal Hill Picnic Area, located off Bajada Loop Drive in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. A short trail leads across a wash, then up a hill riddled with dark basalt rocks to Signal Hill Overlook. Those seeking a longer excursion may continues past Signal Hill on the Cactus Wren Trail.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N32 17.378 W111 12.515 — Signal Hill Trailhead
Worth Noting
- The Signal Hill Trailhead and Picnic area provides multiple picnic areas as well as restroom facilities and is a great destination for families to spend the afternoon. There is no potable water at the picnic area, so be sure to bring plenty of water.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- Backcountry camping is not permitted in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. Backcountry camping is permitted in the Rincon Mountain District (east of Tucson). Reservations and permits and can be obtained at the visitor center.
Directions to Trailhead
The Signal Hill Picnic Area & Trailhead is located on the Bajada Loop Drive, 3.5 miles north of the Red Hills Visitor Center in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park.
From Tucson, take Speedway Blvd west (it will become West Gates Pass Road) and continue west to Kinney Road. Turn right onto Kinney Road and follow it past the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and Red Hills Visitor Center until it intersects with Hohokam Road. Turn right onto Hohokam Road (also known as the Bajada Loop) and follow to Golden Gate Road, looping left onto Golden Gate Road.
The Signal Hill Picnic Area is accessed via a well-marked 'driveway' off of Golden Gate Road. Worth Noting: The Bajada Loop is made up of Golden Gate Road (top half of loop) and Hohokam Road (bottom half of loop).
Contact Information
Saguaro National Park: Tucson Mountain District
27 North Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
520.733.5158
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