Cactus Wren/Signal Hill/Manville Loop

Cactus Wren/Signal Hill/Manville is a 4.3-mile loop from Signal Hill Picnic Area. It climbs to the petroglyphs, follows Cactus Wren across open desert, then returns on Manville. It’s a good choice if you want the rock art and a longer walk through classic Sonoran Desert country in one go. Allow about two to two and a half hours. Most of the grades are gentle, but a short rocky section near Signal Hill is steep and uneven; roughly a third of the route is sandy or in washes.

The route starts at the picnic area and climbs to the petroglyph site. Look for spirals and stylized figures pecked into dark desert varnish; the markings expose lighter rock beneath. Most rock art in the park appears to be Hohokam. These farming, gathering and hunting communities lived in southern Arizona from about A.D. 300 to 1450. Take time with the panels, and don’t touch them—the oils in skin can damage the rock art.

The Cactus Wren stretch leaves the hill for lower, open desert among saguaros, creosote and other shrubs. About a third of the route is sandy or in washes, so expect softer footing along parts of the loop. At the northern junction, the route turns onto Manville and heads south on its more compacted tread to Signal Hill.

Near Signal Hill, the ground gets rougher. There’s one short, steep section on uneven rock, with a maximum grade close to 30 percent. Take your time here, especially if loose or rocky footing makes you cautious. The loop is moderate overall, but it isn’t a smooth stroll all the way around.

Use the Signal Hill Picnic Area for the full loop. There are picnic tables, a charcoal grill and an accessible pit toilet, but no drinking water. Leashed dogs are allowed. If you want a shorter circuit, the separate Cactus Wren/Encinas/Manville loop from Access Point 3 is 1.7 miles and skips the full Signal Hill loop.