Bridal Wreath Falls Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike starts off with a bit of a climb but then tapers off to mostly flat or rolling hills. You'll see great views of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains from a distance. During the winter months, there is a good chance there will be lots of water at Bridal Wreath Falls as well as several other waterfalls and creeks along the way.

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead which is a fee area for Saguaro National Park. If the lot is full there is parking available on the road.

Starting at the Douglas Springs Trail, take the Douglas Springs Trail for 2.9 miles to Bridal Wreath Falls. A roadrunner crossed our path just as we left the trailhead. We did this in January so there were a few shallow creek crossings to get to the falls. Bridal Wreath Falls has an upper and lower falls. You can hike close into the lower falls if you don't mind some rock hopping. It's definitely worth it.

After visiting the falls head back on the Douglas Springs Trail to Three Tank Trail. Continue on Three Tank Trail where you'll get to a giant metal tank at the Carrillo Trail crossing. Cross the creek and continue on Three Tank Trail heading east towards Wildhorse Trail. Take Wildhorse Trail for half a mile to Garwood Trail. Then follow Garwood Trail back to Douglas Springs to the trailhead.

Saguaros, cholla (jumping, teddy bear, staghorn), barrel, prickly pear and other cactus abound! Mesquite and palo verde trees, brittle bush and other plants common in desert scrub areas. Flowing creeks and streams, mossy stones, huge flat rock areas with water falls nestled in the rolling hills. The only wildlife we saw on this hike was a roadrunner and other birds. I imagine you might see deer and other animals. During spring I'm sure there are plenty of wildflowers but not so much in January.