Desert Southwest Circuit

Gates Pass Overlook and Trailhead area is located in the Tucson Mountain Park, just east of Saguaro National Park West. This area provides access to numerous trails, parking, restrooms, and a wonderful place to watch sunset. The area is managed by Pima County (this is not an NPS site), and is open to the public from 6am to 8pm daily. Gates lock from 8pm to 6am, cars are unable to leave during these times. Click here to learn more about this trailhead and the surrounding Tucson Mountain Park.

This small paved pull-off provides a small break along the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, and can squeeze two cars into it (do not park in the road). It offers visitors a stopping point along the drive; to take pictures, read the map, and is often used a place to watch the sunset. While the park trails are open to visitors 24 hours a day, the loop drive will close around 8pm, including locking the gates. Be sure to plan accordingly.

The Valley View Overlook Nature Trail is an easy 0.8 mile (1.3 km) roundtrip trail, starting at the Valley View Trailhead along the Bajada Loop Scenic Drive in Saguaro National Park's west district. This short trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trail drops into and out of a couple of washes and then gradually ascends to a ridge. Along the way, you will travel through typical Sonoran Desert vegetation. Signs along the way identify and interpret several of the more common species of plants. The trail ends at a ridge with benches that allow you to relax and enjoy sweeping views. From here you can see Avra Valley to the west, Signal Hill, which looks like a small black mound from here, and the jagged ridge of Picacho Peak to the north.

The park store is operated by Petrified Forest Museum Association, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Petrified Forest National Park.

Visitors walk along the spectacular Blue Mesa Trail.

The Rainbow Forest Museum is the original HQ of the park, now an historic site. There are paleontological exhibits, a bookstore, visitor center, and trail. Be sure to look for the historic diorama that was made in the 1930s at University of California at Berkeley.

The South Entrance Station is the entry point for most visitors to Grand Canyon National Park. It is the closest entrance to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. The entrance is open 24 hours/day and 7 days/week, unless closed by snow. Located in Arizona, it is 5 miles (8 km) north of the gateway town of Tusayan; 55 miles (89 km) north of Williams, Arizona via SR 64 from I-40; and 80 miles (129 km) north of Flagstaff via US 180,

For many visitors coming to the South Rim, Mather Point offers the first glimpse of a world wonder. A short walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and parking lots 1-4, Mather Point offers an expansive view of the canyon. On a clear day you can see 30+ miles (48 km) to the east and 60+ miles (96 km) to the west. Looking down into the canyon you can see a few small samples of the Colorado River, Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, and numerous trails.

Geology Talk Ranger Program - 1:30 pm daily (during winter 2025/2026). Gain insight into Grand Canyon’s unique geologic story. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Program duration: 30 minutes. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape. Knowing some of the stories encoded in the rock layers will enrich your understanding and enhance your experience at Grand Canyon.

This shuttle stop provides access to both the Bright Angel Trailhead and the first shuttle stop on the Hermit (Red) Route. During December, January and February, Hermit Road is open to private vehicles, and the Hermit Road Shuttle (Red) Route is not in service. Located at the western end of Grand Canyon Village, this shuttle stop also provides access to the historic village and the paved Canyon Rim Trail heading west along Hermit Road, 7.5 miles towards Hermits Rest.

Desert View Watchtower Retail Store (View Room) is open daily: 9 am to 5 pm. The upper tower floors are open, when staffing allows, from 9 am to 4 pm. The last tower access is at 4 pm, with the stairs closed for the day at 4:30 pm. A ticket system admits 25 people with a 20-minute time limit. A National Historic Landmark, the Watchtower was constructed in 1932; designed by Mary Colter and based on Ancestral Puebloan architecture.

Devil Canyon Overlook is the must see location in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. The hightlight of the overlook are no doubt the stunning views of this narrow, colorful, winding canyon with walls over 1,000 feet tall. In addition to the impressive canyon views a variety of wildlife including Bighorn Sheep, Pryor Mountain Wild Mustangs, Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons are also frequently seen around the overlook.

Zion Canyon Visitor Center Start your visit here! This visitor center sits at the lower end of Zion Canyon, the main canyon in Zion National Park. Zion Canyon is a deep and narrow canyon carved by the Virgin River. It was first called Zion, meaning safety or refuge, in 1862 by Mormon settler Isaac Behunin. Obtain orientation and trip planning information, and wilderness permits here. You will find the Zion Forever Project bookstore selling park-related merchandise, outdoor exhibits, and a picnic area here as well. You can also transfer to the Springdale Shuttle Line from this point. Trails accessed from here: Watchman Trail Pa’rus Trail (allows bicycles and leashed pets; access to Virgin River) Archaeology Trail Shuttle Service When the Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus is running, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is shuttle stop #1. To reach the Springdale Shuttle line, walk through the Zion Canyon Visitor Center plaza to the entrance station on the bridge. The Springdale Shuttle line picks up and drops off passengers under the shade pavilion across the bridge.

The Narrows is a strenuous hike that follows the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon. After 1 mile (0.6 km) on the easy, paved Riverside Walk, head down a set of stairs and into the river. The rest of your hike will take place in the Virgin River, where the flow rate can change day by day and the streambed is rocky with unstable footing. Flash flooding and hypothermia are constant dangers.

The Riverside Walk is a relatively flat and paved trail in the northern end of Zion Canyon. This easy trail follows the Virgin River as the sheer sandstone walls narrow in around you. The Riverside Walk is mostly flat through the first half-mile, although paving is irregular in some sections and minor drop-offs are present.

The Watchman trail is out-and-back. From the relatively flat beginning section of trail by the river, this unpaved trail climbs to a magnificent viewpoint of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale. The terrain is sandy, rocky, and uneven, with several moderate drop-offs.