Saguaro National Park is located in Southern Arizona in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. It was turned into a National Park to preserve a portion of the desert with a dense population of the stunning saguaro cactus. The saguaro cactus is special because it’s the largest cactus species in the United States, growing between 40 and 60 feet tall and is limited to growing in the Sonoran desert which covers Southern Arizona, Southeastern California and parts of Northern Mexico.
In this post I will share information about the park, how to visit in a day trip from Tucson or Phoenix, and other activities to do in the area.
General Park Info: When to Visit & How to Get There
Saguaro National Park has two sections, East – Rincon Mountain District and West – Tucson Mountain District. The two parts of the park are located on either side of Tucson, AZ about a 45-60 minute drive apart. You can choose to visit just one section, but it is possible to visit both in one day. I will discuss what there is to do in each side later in the post.
As of 2021 the entrance fee to the park is $25 per vehicle, and that allows you to enter both sections of the park for7 days. There is a visitors center in each section of the park with information, restrooms and water fountains (the only water sources in the park.) Certain parks of the Tucson Mountain District area do not have gate attendants and you must pay at the visitors center.
For information on visiting other National Parks including Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains and more visit my National Parks Page!
When to Visit
Most visitors try to avoid the summer months as temperatures regularly top 100 degrees and there is minimal shade on most trails. If you’re just planning to drive through the park and enjoy the views summer can be a good time to avoid the crowds, but hiking in the summer can be dangerous.
Many people visit in the winter when the weather is cool, but the desert gets surprisingly cold at night in the winter, often dropping to the 40’s.
For the most ideal weather (high’s in the 70’s to 80’s) plan to visit mid-February to mid-April or October and November. This is also when the park is the busiest, so pick your ideal time based on what you’re planning to do.
How to Get to Saguaro
Saguaro National Park is located on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona, about 100 miles south of Phoenix. We rented a car for our trip and enjoyed the easy 90 minute drive through the desert down to Tucson.
Saguaro is located right off the I-10 and could be a great weekend road trip destination from San Diego or L.A. Alternatively you can fly into either Phoenix or Tucson and rent a car. Although Tucson is much closer to the park, there will be many more flight options into Phoenix.
What to Pack
There are no campgrounds or lodging in the park (there are a few backcountry camp sites) so only pack what you’ll need for your day trip. The most important thing to bring is plenty of water and sun protection. The only place to get water in the park is at the two visitors centers. There is no water available at any of the trailheads.
Even on our shorter hikes we carried our backpacks with us so we could bring plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. I would also recommend hiking boots for most trails as there are a lot of loose rocks, gravel and sand everywhere.
What to do in the West (Tucson Mountain District)
Your first stop in the park should be to the Red Hills Visitor Center to pay your park entrance fee and pick up a hiking map.
If you’re not a big hiker you can choose to drive the 5 mile Bajada Scenic Loop or walk the short and easy Desert Discovery Nature trail or Cactus Garden trail located at the visitor center.
If you are into hiking there are plenty of trails to choose from of varying lengths and difficulties. Many of the trails are connected, making it easy to choose your own hike but also easy to get a bit turned around!
I recommend that you do a hike in two different areas: Signal Hill and King Canyon. The two areas have different terrains which allows you to see two sides of the park. Signal Hill area (photo above) is flatter and you really feel like you’re wandering through the desert. King Canyon (photo below) is more hilly and up through the mountains.
What to do in the East (Rincon Mountain District)
The main activity in the Rincon Mountain District is driving the 8 mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive. There are many scenic overlooks and pullouts as well as a few trails and picnic areas. Another great option is to bike the 8 mile loop. It is a one-way road with a low speed limit, so it’s even safe for novice bikers.
The Cactus Forest Loop is the only road in the eastern section of the park, so a majority of the park is only accessible by foot or horseback. There are other trails in the park that you can access from outside the park boundaries that you can’t reach from Cactus Forest Loop Drive, including several long (10+ mile) trails.
Lunch in Tucson
With Tucson located perfectly between the two sections of the National Park, it makes a perfect spot to stop for lunch! We chose Taqueria Pico De Gallo located in southern Tucson; not too far off of the route connecting each side of the park.
This place kept popping up on several lists of authentic tacos in Tucson which is why we chose the place. The food was good and cheap but not mind blowing in my opinion. It’s definitely a good option if you’re in the area, but not a must try.
Other Tucson Activities
Unfortunately we came to Tucson for just a day trip, but I hope to come back and experience all the city has to offer. Other popular attractions in the area are the Sonoran Desert Museum, the Pima Air & Space Museum, and sampling all the authentic Mexican food. You could easily spend a long weekend in Tucson with plenty to keep you busy.
The state of Arizona has so much to offer! For more information on visiting Central Arizona including Phoenix, Sedona, Prescott and the Grand Canyon, check out my cousin’s 5 Day Itinerary.
To plan the perfect vacation in Scottsdale, from a romantic getaway to a boozy bachelorette party, read my Scottsdale post here.
What’s your favorite thing to do or place to visit in Arizona? Let me know in the comments below!
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4 Comments
Arizona and New Mexico particularly hold my attention when I think about exploring the USA. Your post only validates this thought 🙂 Would like to explore Saguaro National Park someday!
I love desert landscapes. I went to the Grand Canyon with the family as a kid , but as international tourists, we only went to the main attractions.
I feel that picture of the tall cactus surroundrd by barely vegetated ground is the most Arizonan thing ever.
Yes! I second Rudy’s comment – memories for me, too! I have never been to Saguaro National Park, but I would love to go. I remember seeing saguaro cacti in California with my family as a child, and it was incredible since I am from the East Coast. The views in your photos look amazing! That’s a let down about the taco spot, but sounds to me like a challenge to find the best local taqueria. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my, that brings back memories. I visited Saguaro more than 20 years ago by myself and almost got lost during a hike at 100+ degrees heat. Luckily, my car was parked just behind a hill that I was standing before desperately trying to remember where I came from and I eventually found it. Hopefully the trails are better marked these days.