Picacho Peak State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Picacho Peak State Park |
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Picacho Peak
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 Picacho Peak State Park
Location in Arizona
Picacho Peak State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pinal, Arizona, United States |
| Area | 3,747 acres (15.16 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,000 ft (610 m) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
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Picacho Pass Skirmish Site--Overland Mail Co. Stage Station at Picacho Pass
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Battle of Picacho Pass Monument
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| Nearest city | Picacho, Arizona |
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| Area | 774 acres (313 ha) |
| Built | 1858 |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001384 |
| Added to NRHP | November 22, 2002 |
Picacho Peak State Park is a cool place in Arizona. It's a state park that protects a tall, pointy mountain called Picacho Peak. You can find it between the cities of Casa Grande and Tucson. The park is right by Interstate 10 in Pinal County.
The peak is so tall, you can even see its top from downtown Tucson. That's about 45 miles away! The very top of Picacho Peak is about 3,374 feet high. Even though it looks like an old volcano, scientists now think it's a tilted rock covered by ancient lava.
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What's in a Name? The Meaning of Picacho Peak
The name Picacho Peak might sound a bit funny. That's because picacho actually means 'peak' in Spanish! So, the name basically means 'Peak Peak'.
A long time ago, in 1775, a priest named Father Francisco Garcés called it Cerro de Taca. This name came from the Oʼodham language word Tcacca or Taceo. People also used to call it Picacho del Tucson, which means 'Tucson Peak'.
Exploring Picacho Peak State Park
This park is famous for its beautiful wildflowers. They usually bloom from mid-February to early April. This happens after the desert gets good rain in the winter. Even though the park is next to a big highway, its western side still looks like a wild, untouched Sonoran Desert.
Hiking to the Top
You can hike to a small flat spot on top of the peak. There are two different trails you can take. Parts of these trails are quite steep and tricky. To help hikers, there are special cables and walkways. These are like a "via ferrata", which is a climbing route with fixed cables. There are only a few of these in the United States.
From the top, you get amazing views! You can see the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson to the south. To the east, you'll see Newman Peak across Interstate 10. Look northwest for Tabletop Mountain near Casa Grande. To the north, you can spot many mountain ranges around Phoenix. And to the west, you'll see where the Santa Cruz River flows underground, helping farms in a pretty desert valley.
Park rangers suggest that hikers wear strong boots. They also recommend carrying at least two liters of water for each person. Many hikers bring gloves to help them grip the cables better.
A Glimpse into History
Picacho Peak State Park is close to a very important historical spot. The old Butterfield Overland Mail route, which was a famous stagecoach path, had a stop nearby.
The park is also near the site of the Battle of Picacho Pass. This was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened in what was then called Arizona Territory. A group of Union soldiers on horseback from California had a skirmish with Confederate scouts from Texas. Three men were killed in this battle. This makes it the second-westernmost battle of the entire American Civil War.
Every year in early March, the park holds special events. People dress up and act out the battle. They also show what Civil War military life was like.
Picacho Peak in Stories
Picacho Peak is mentioned in the novel The Host. This book was written by Stephenie Meyer. In the story, the peak helps the main character find her way. A lot of the action in the novel happens in or near the state park.
Gallery
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Spring wildflowers at Picacho Peak.
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Re-enactment of the Battle of Picacho Peak in March 2007.
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Aerial view of Picacho Peak taken from a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress on April 20, 2013.
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Picacho Peak from the ghost town of Sasco.
