Parking
Douglas Spring Trailhead is at the east end of Speedway Boulevard, on the south side. Use the designated lot; during the busy season, cars also line the road.
Overview
About Douglas Spring Trail to Douglas Spring Campground
Why go
- Reaches a backcountry camp shaded by mesquite and juniper, with views toward Tanque Verde Falls and Tina Larga tank.
- The long climb gives a full Rincon foothills outing without continuing all the way to Mica Mountain.
Heads up
- Thirteen miles and about 1,800 feet of climbing make this a full-day commitment.
- Backcountry water is scarce and seasonal, so carry the day’s supply.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Saguaro map
Full mapElevation2,743–4,741 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 Douglas Spring Trail to Douglas Spring Campground, 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 tourRecorded for this trailhead
Douglas Spring and Wildhorse: The Falls Hike0:00 / 0:28
“You're nearing the Douglas Spring and Wildhorse trailheads near the end of Speedway Boulevard.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Saguaro Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Watch the Roadrunner Hunt
- Broadway Trailhead: Pink Hill
- Loma Verde: The Pink Hill View
- Mica View: A Picnic and a Poem
- 43 audio storiesacross Saguaro’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 74 trails, 40 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Douglas Spring Trail to Douglas Spring Campground
The full dayDouglas Spring Trail to Douglas Spring Campground is a 13-mile out-and-back from the east end…
Douglas Spring Trail to Douglas Spring Campground is a 13-mile out-and-back from the east end of Speedway Boulevard. The campground is about 6.5 miles up the trail, with roughly 1,800 feet of climbing before you turn around and retrace the same path. Plan on about seven to eight hours. This is a long desert hike into the Rincon foothills; the campground is the turnaround, not the shorter Bridal Wreath Falls outing or the much longer continuation toward Mica Mountain.
The climbThe lower approach crosses desert foothills before the grade steepens.
The lower approach crosses desert foothills before the grade steepens. Expect rocky dirt and worn, step-like cuts on the steeper sections, with saguaros and desert shrubs along the way. The route rises into Saguaro Wilderness, designated in 1976, and continues east toward the Rincons. The lower trail is shared with other outings, so follow Douglas Spring Trail toward camp rather than turning onto a falls loop or another connector.
At Douglas SpringThe campground sits at about 4,800 feet.
The campground sits at about 4,800 feet. Mesquite and juniper give the camp area some shade, and the views look back toward Tanque Verde Falls and Tina Larga tank. It is a quiet backcountry destination, but the route to reach it is a substantial climb; save enough energy for the same trail back down.
Water and overnight rulesBackcountry water is seasonal and scarce, and the drainage near camp is not dependable.
Backcountry water is seasonal and scarce, and the drainage near camp is not dependable. Carry what you need for the full day; the park recommends at least a gallon per person per day, and any collected surface water needs treatment. Pets are prohibited in Saguaro Wilderness. Staying overnight at the campground requires a reservation; campfires are prohibited there.
Start at SpeedwayDouglas Spring Trailhead is on the south side of Speedway Boulevard at its eastern end.
Douglas Spring Trailhead is on the south side of Speedway Boulevard at its eastern end. Use the designated parking area. During the busy season, cars also line the road, so allow time to park. If you want a shorter walk, turn around on the lower shared trail; if you continue beyond the campground, you are on a different and much longer Mica Mountain itinerary.
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.
