Parking
There is no road or car park at Manning Camp. Reach this backcountry starting point on foot from the longer trail network in the Rincon District; those approach miles are outside the 3.4-mile camp-based outing.
Overview
About Devil's Bathtub Trail
Why go
- A small spring-fed waterfall and pool in Saguaro’s pine-covered high country.
Heads up
- There is no drive-up access to Manning Camp.
- The pool sits below a cliff and is hard to reach from the trail.
Devil's Bathtub is a remote 3.4-mile out-and-back from Manning Camp to a small spring-fed waterfall above a pool. From camp, follow Manning Camp Trail about 1 mile to the signed Devil's Bathtub junction, then the named trail about 0.7 mile to the falls-side view; turn around and retrace the same way. Allow about three hours. It's a worthwhile side trip if you're already in the Rincon high country, but reaching camp is a much longer hike on its own.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Saguaro map
Full mapElevation7,497–8,009 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Saguaro alerts
- ClosureTucson Mountain District road closuresSeveral Tucson Mountain District roads are closed; follow posted closures and use McCain Loop to bypass the Kinney Road closure.Official details
- CautionVehicle break-ins reported at trailheadsVehicle break-ins have occurred at King Canyon Trailhead and other park trailheads; secure your vehicle and valuables.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Saguaro Tour Guide
Your drive to Devil's Bathtub Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Saguaro National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Saguaro audio tour- 43 audio storiesacross Saguaro’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer, and 13 more
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- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide
Hiking Devil's Bathtub Trail
The way to the fallsThe route drops from Manning Camp, around 7,920 feet, to the falls sign near 7,500 feet.
The route drops from Manning Camp, around 7,920 feet, to the falls sign near 7,500 feet. The return is the harder half: you climb back to camp at high elevation. The trail runs through pine forest on rough dirt tread, a very different setting from Saguaro's low desert. Devil's Bathtub Trail continues beyond the falls toward Heartbreak Ridge; turn around at the falls-side viewpoint for this camp-based outing.
See the pool from aboveA small spring trickle crosses bare rock and spills over a cliff into a large pool below.
A small spring trickle crosses bare rock and spills over a cliff into a large pool below. The pool is difficult to reach from the trail, and reports describe no easy way down. Treat this as a view from above, not a maintained swim access point.
Backcountry access and rulesManning Camp has no road access.
Manning Camp has no road access. Reach it on foot from the Rincon District's longer backcountry trails; those approach miles are outside this 3.4-mile side trip. Overnight stays at the camp require a wilderness permit; no separate day-hike permit requirement was found. Dogs are prohibited on Saguaro trails except a short list of named exceptions that does not include Devil's Bathtub.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Saguaro
19 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
56 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
266 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
113 sightingsCollared PeccaryMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
53 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
127 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Saguaro. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
