Saguaro: West Side Loop Drive Closed After Severe Storms

If you were planning a visit to Saguaro's west side, the Tucson Mountain District, you'll need to rework your route. The park's scenic loop, the Loop Drive, is currently closed to traffic. That's because severe storms dumped a large amount of debris on the road.

In practical terms, most of the drive is affected. The two roads that make up the loop, Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road, are closed until further notice. Park crews are working to clear them, but the cleanup takes time. Expect these closures to last through the rest of the week.

The weather isn't helping. More storms are in the forecast over the coming hours and days, which could undo the crews' progress as fast as they dig out. In other words, a quick reopening isn't guaranteed, and things could change from one day to the next.

Not every road is closed, though. Sand and debris have also spilled onto parts of Sandario Road, but it's still passable if you take it slow. Ease off the gas and keep your distance, since the road can be slick or partly blocked.

One last thing worth knowing if you're coming at the park from the southeast. Gates Pass Road is seeing delays too. That road is run by Pima County, outside the park's boundaries. To check county road conditions and any closures, Pima County keeps its updates on its road closures portal.

Here's our advice. Check the access conditions right before you head out, and build a little slack into your plans. While you wait for the loop to reopen, you can map out the rest of your trip and scout other spots in the area in the Saguaro park guide.