Saguaro National Park East
Tanque Verde Ridge hike
Tanque Verde Ridge Trail from the Javelina Picnic Area on the Cactus Forest Loop Drive.
Lower heat exposure before 10am (92F forecast at 4pm). Moderate exposure from 10am to 5pm. Sunset about 6pm. Forecast updated 4:07am.
Check conditions before you go.
Today
Today, hour by hour. Sunset is about 6pm, and later hours aren't rated.
Tomorrow morning
Tomorrow from 5am to noon, if the forecast goes that far.
Photos
NWS alerts
No weather alerts for this trail as of the last update.
NWS HeatRisk, experimental
Level 1 (Minor) for 2026-10-07. HeatRisk is an experimental NWS product. For official heat warnings, go by NWS watches, warnings, and advisories.
Trail facts
Trailhead location
Tanque Verde Ridge Trailhead. 32.16543, -110.72412. Source: NPS public points of interest.
Elevation
3,115 ft. From USGS elevation data for the map pin.
Forecast area elevation
3,255 ft for the NWS forecast area near Tucson, AZ. The NWS forecasts for squares about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) across, so it can be hotter or cooler on the trail itself. Forecast updated 4:07am MST.
Distance and climb
NPS calls the trail strenuous. At 0.75 miles you are on the ridge. Juniper Basin campground is at the 6.9 mile mark, listed at 3000 feet elevation. Tanque Verde Peak is at 8.7 miles, listed at 4000 feet elevation. Those elevations are NPS figures for those spots, not for this trailhead. Source: NPS hiking recommendations and wilderness page.
Water
Not listed
Sun and shade
NPS mentions views from the ridge, so expect open, sunny stretches. We don't have hour-by-hour shade. Source: NPS hiking recommendations.
Stock
NPS: horses are restricted from Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Source: NPS getting around.
Official links
Nearby trails
- Cactus Forest Trail (2.3 miles away)
- Douglas Spring (5.3 miles away)
- Seven Falls (Bear Canyon Trail) (11.5 miles away)
See also the heat guide, the monsoon guide, and today's conditions on every trail.