Divided into two units by Tucson, the western Tucson Mountain Unit includes just over 21,000 relatively-flat acres and the eastern Rincon Mountain Unit almost 63,000 acres rising steeply in places from 2,800 to 8,666 feet on Mica Mountain. Most of the park has been designated Wilderness. The Tucson Unit receives mostly day-use visitors who drive the well maintained dirt roads. The Rincon Unit has a visitors center but lies primarily roadless and attractive to backpackers who enter almost exclusively via the Douglas Spring Trail. The unit's trail system contains about 77 miles of maintained pathways, but overnight camping is limited to six sites.
Water is usually available.
Birds are seasonally abundant. Occasional and gentle winter rains sometimes turn this area into a wild profusion of colorful bloom including the saguaro's white flower, Arizona's state flower. From Tucson, AZ, take the Old Spanish Trail about five miles east of the city limits to the Rincon Mountain Unit. February through May for a chance to catch the desert in its best bloom. An overnight camping permit is required.