Hiking The Freeman Homestead Trail At Saguaro National Park
The Freeman Homestead Nature Trail in the Saguaro National Park East is an easy 1 mile loop that takes you to the site of an old homestead foundation.
In 1933, Stafford Freeman and his family made a 640 acre claim in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains using the Homestead Act. He built a three room adobe house with an ocotillo fence as well as several other outbuildings.
In the 1950s, Saguaro National Park acquired the land back from the Freemans.
All that remains of the home now is a pile of dirt and the cement corner of what was once the foundation of the home. The park has placed two benches beneath the mesquite tree the family planted for shade so you can rest there as well.
The hike takes you through a grove of large saguaros and a desert wash. Informational plaques line the trail identifying various species of cacti. Along the way interpretive signs have been placed talking about the history, wildlife and plant life of the area.
These signs also feature special “Children’s Corner Activities” to keep your little ones engaged in the hike. Just because they say the activities are for the kiddos doesn’t mean you can’t do them as well!
All in all it’s an easy trail chock-full of fun info. It shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to hike and has a lot of cool things to see.
Rumor is Great Horned Owls can often be seen in the cliff above the wash. We also spied at least 3 different species of small lizards scurrying about while we were walking.
Jamey also discovered his favorite crazy Saguaro in the park located behind the old homestead.
