Mica View/Cactus Forest Loop

The Mica View/Cactus Forest Loop is a 2-mile circuit from Mica View Picnic Area, rated flat and about an hour on the park map. It heads north on Mica View, turns east on Shantz at Broadway, goes south on Cactus Forest, then returns on Mica View South. It is a relaxed way to get into the low desert without taking on a ridge climb.

Start north from the picnic area. At Broadway, turn right onto Shantz, then take the quick right onto Cactus Forest heading south; turn onto Mica View South to close the loop. Several trails meet here, so check the sign names at the junctions. If you want a shorter, paved walk, Mica View itself is about 0.7 mile each way between the picnic area and Broadway; walk it out and back instead of continuing onto the natural-surface loop.

The north Mica View section is wide, flat and paved to accessibility standards. The full circuit leaves it for natural-surface Shantz and Cactus Forest trail, so the whole loop is not wheelchair accessible. The Cactus Forest portion is natural desert ground. The broader trail has compacted soil and soft washes, but the softest spots are not pinned to this short loop. There is no drinking-water source listed along the route.

Look for young saguaros growing beneath nurse trees on the north leg. Gila woodpeckers, cactus wrens and curve-billed thrashers are possible sightings, not a guarantee. From the Cactus Forest portion, the route opens to views of Mica Mountain and Tanque Verde Peak.

The picnic area has parking, shelters and tables, grills, and a vault or composting restroom. Dogs are allowed on the Mica View section when leashed, but the loop continues onto Shantz and Cactus Forest, where pets are prohibited; pets cannot accompany you around this full circuit.