Picacho Peak State Park

About Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peak State Park is a 1,500-foot peak along Interstate 10 in southern Arizona where visitors hike multiple trails winding up the mountain and through the desert landscape. In spring, hikers often overlook expanses of wildflowers, predominantly Mexican Gold Poppies. The park offers a visitor center with exhibits and a park store, a playground, historical markers, a campground, and picnic areas. Guided hikes traverse the Hunter Trail and Calloway Trail, with the Hunter Trail offering 360-degree views from the peak's summit. Ranger-led programs include cactus identification walks focusing on saguaros and other Sonoran Desert species, scorpion hunts, and junior ranger hikes suitable for ages five and up. The peak served as a landmark since prehistoric times and was documented by the Anza Expedition in the 1700s. The site holds historical significance as the location of the 1862 Battle of Picacho Pass during the Civil War. Visitors should bring plenty of water, wear proper footwear, and know their hiking limits.