Picacho Peak State Park
Arizona
Visitors traveling along I-10 in southern Arizona can't miss the prominent 1,500-foot peak of Picacho Peak State Park. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in the spring, overlook a sea of wildflowers. The park and surrounding area are known for its unique geological significance, outstanding and varied desert growth, and historical importance. The unique shape has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. One of the first recordings was in the 1700s by the Anza Expedition as it passed through the area.
The park facilities include a visitor center with exhibits and a gift store, hiking trails, playground, historical markers, campground (with or without electric), picnic areas, ramadas, grills, dump station, restrooms, and showers. The group use areas, for day & overnight use, are available by reservation. Before you hike, be prepared with enough water and proper footwear as the trails are steep and challenging. Wildflorers reports.
General Information
Seasons / Hours
- Open year round, 24 hours a day.
Rates & Fees
- Entrance and camping fees apply.
Please call park for current fee information (520) 466-3183
.
Visitor Center
Hours
Open daily, 8 AM to 10 PM The new Picacho Peak State Park Visitor Center is now open! The Visitor Center has public restrooms, a gift shop, plus vending machines with energy drinks and snacks. Hours vary, but are typically 8 am to 5 pm. The new building is U.S. Green Building Council certified Gold in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rankings.
- Food/Supplies
- There are no food or supplies within the park. Nearest services 5 miles away.
- Accessibility
- Park facilities, including rest rooms and showers are handicapped accessible.
- There are no food or supplies within the park. Nearest services 5 miles away.
Rules, Regulations, Precautions
- Operating unlicensed vehicles is not permitted. All vehicle operators must be licensed.
- Drive only on designated roadways.
- Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Saving or reserving campsites is prohibited, even if prepaid.
- Fires are permitted only in the fire rings and grills provided.
- Collection of fire wood within the park is prohibited.
- All plants, animals, rocks, minerals and historic artifacts within the park boundaries are protected by state law. It is illegal to destroy or disturb these features.
- Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Use garbage dumpsters provided. Do not bum or bury garbage.
- Quiet hours in the park are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.
- Visitors are responsible for knowing all park rules and regulations, which are posted in the park
Climate, Geography, Setting
Setting
Picacho State Park is located 35 north of Tucson west of Interstate 10. It encompasses 3,500 acres at an average elevation of 2,000 feet.
Climate
Month Max. Min. Precipitation Jan 67.0 35.7 0.77 Feb 71.7 39 0.77 Mar 76.2 44.1 0.79 Apr 84.7 50.7 0.24 May 93.6 58.5 0.11 June 102.6 67.1 0.06 July 105 75.1 0.97 Aug 101.5 73.1 1.39 Sep 99.3 67.5 0.59 Oct 90.1 55.7 0.74 Nov 76.8 43.5 0.64 Dec 68.3 36.8 1.52
Cultural History
Civil War Re-Enactment
Every year in March, the park sponsors a Re-enactment of the Battle of Picacho Pass. Arizona State Parks sponsors many re-enactments of history throughout its 25 park system. Since many people only know of the battles that were fought in the eastern states, this desert battle becomes another history lesson.The clothing, camp lifestyle, food, and stories told by the soldiers in the southwest during the 1860s make this event even more intriguing. More than 150 re-enactors from the Southwestern area camp at Picacho Peak State Park.
Spectators are welcome to tour the recreated military camps which will include demonstrations such as laundering, candle making, sewing, cooking and the fashions of the era. This is a family oriented event and will have handicap access.
Natural History
Plants
Plants within Picacho Peak State Park lie within the Lower Sonoran Life zone. They include mesquite, Paloverde and acacia trees; Crucifixion Thorn, Ocotillo, cholla, prickly pear and Saguaro Cactus.Animals
Jack and cottontail rabbits, Mule Deer, Javelina, Coyotes, ground squirrels, pack rats and numerous lizards and snakes live within the park. Many species of birds call the park home. Mountain Lions, Bighorn Sheep and Coyotes have been observed.Geology
Even though bizarre-looking Picacho Peak looks much like a volcanic neck, it is actually the faulted, tilted and eroded remains of a sequence of lava flows, except for the summit, which contains a large block of Precambrian granite.The Picacho Mountains are the light-colored hills directly across I-10. Their northern end is composed of gneiss, their southern end of the same granite comprising the dome of the Santa Catalinas.
Things To Do
- Camping
- Picnic areas
- Birding and wildlife viewing
Hiking Trails
- Nature Trail: 1/2-mile round trip
- Children's Cave Trail: 1/2-mile round trip
- Sunset Vista Trail: 3.1 miles to peak (elevation 3,374)
- Hunter Trail: 2.0 miles to peak (elevation 3,374)
- Calloway Trail: 0.7 miles to Overlook
- Children's Cave Trail: 1/2-mile round trip
Camping & Lodging
All Campsites Are Now Electric!
The entire campground at Picacho Peak State Park has been converted into electric sites. The electric rate of $25.00 per night, per vehicle will be charged regardless of whether electricity is being used or not. Sites are suitable for RVs and/or tents.
Rules, Regulations, Precautions
Campground
- Camping is allowed only in designated areas.
- Camping is first come, first served. No reservations are available.
- Checkout time is 2 pm.
- Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 6 am.
- Stay limit is 14 nights within a 30 day period.
General
- Drive only on designated roadways.
- Wood fires are prohibited. Charcoal and Duraflame fires are acceptable.
- No soliciting or selling.
- Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Obey posted speed limits.
- Littering is unlawful.
- Visitors are responsible for knowing all park rules and regulations, which are posted in the park
Resources & Nearby Attractions
Resources
- DesertUSA Trading Post
- The Lost Gold of Tumacacori
- Arizona's Camp Grant Massacre
- Seeds of Change: Native Seeds/SEARCH
- Arboretums & Botanical Gardens of Arizona
Cities & Towns
- Tucson, Arizona: 35 miles south.
- Casa Grande, Arizona: 35 miles north.
- Phoenix, Arizona: 105 miles north.
- Tubac, Arizona: 99 miles south.
- Nogales, Arizona: 110 miles south.
- Wilcox, Arizona: 130 miles southeast.
Parks & Monuments
- Saguaro National Park West: 12 miles west of Tucson.
- Saguaro National Park East: 13 miles east of Tucson.
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument: 80 miles north.
- Tumacacori National Historic Park: 91 miles south.
- Tubac Presidio State Historic Park: 87 miles south.
- Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park: 116 miles southeast.
- Catalina State Park: 30 miles southeast.
- Tucson Mountain County Park: 10 miles west of Tucson
Recreation & Wilderness Areas
- Buenos Aries National Wildlife Refuge: 70 miles southwest.
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area: 45 miles southeast.
- Coronado National Forest: 20 miles southeast..
Historic & Points of Interest
- Bioshphere 2 Center: 20 miles east.
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: 12 miles west of Tucson
- Old Tucson Studios: 12 miles west of Tucson.
- Tucson Mineral Museum: Tucson.
- Kitt Peak National Observatory: 71 miles southwest.
- Gila River Indian Reservation: Southwest of Phoenix.
- San Xavier Indian Reservation: South of Phoenix.
P.O. Box 275
Picacho, Arizona 85241
520 466-3183
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