This is the closest picnic area from the Saguaro National Park East District entrance. There are plenty of parking spots and covered table areas. The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail starts from this location. Backpackers looking to take the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail up into the Rincon Mountains can park their car here and start their ascent. The closest campsite from here is Juniper Basin (6.9 miles away on foot, 4000 ft of climbing).