It’s safe to say that most people visiting Arizona for the first time are heading to the Grand Canyon, but Saguaro National Park is absolutely worth the time and trek to Tucson. I wasn’t sure what to expect with my first visit to Saguaro (besides lots of cactus), but once there I found that it’s the perfect snapshot of the variety of life and landscapes found in the Arizona desert.
I think Saguaro National Park is a fantastic trip to plan or a great addition to an Arizona road trip, and we’ve got all the tips for both fully experiencing the park and great things to do. From safety to cactus photography, here you’ll find everything you need to know to have an exceptional visit to Saguaro National Park. If you have any other questions or want to share your own tips or favorite hikes, please leave a comment or send us a note.
Where is Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro National Park is NOT inconvenient to get to, which is great. Located on both the east and west sides of the major city of Tucson, Arizona, you can very easily visit Saguaro NP with little planning. You can easily fly into the Tucson airport (TUS) and be hiking in the National Park within less than a half hour. If you’re flying into Phoenix (PHX) it’s a less than two hour drive. Really, it’s so easy to plan for.
Also, Saguaro National Park is just off Interstate 10, and you know what that means. You can jump on the Santa Monica Freeway and just drive east. Or if you’re in our hometown of St Augustine, Florida, you can easily get on the 10 up in Jacksonville and drive west. I might say that Saguaro National Park is the easiest of all US National Parks to get to by any method of transportation.
National Park Entrance Signs at Saguaro NP
There are three National Park entrance signs for Saguaro NP. There are two on the Tucson Mountain side and there’s one at the entrance to the Rincon District. The best one is at the south end of the Tucson Mountain District not far from the Red Hills visitor center (pictured above), but the one at the Rincon entrance (below left) is cool too. The one as you approach from the north is much more of a street sign (below right), but if you miss the others, it’ll check that box for getting a photo with the Saguaro National Park sign.
Which part of Saguaro National Park is Better?
If you didn’t know, there are two parts to Saguaro National Park: the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon District. But which part is better? I think you’ll find that for being in the same relative area (Tucson, Arizona) they are very different in terms of landscape and experiences. If I were to choose only one part of Saguaro National Park to return to tomorrow for hiking, I would choose the Tucson Mountain area. If I was aiming to photograph wildlife, I’d head straight to the Rincon District and have a heyday.
The difference in areas comes down to the type of Saguaro National Park things to do that you’re looking for. The Tucson Mountain District has a system of well connected hiking trails, but it’s more rough and tumble along the road. The cactus specimens are amazing no matter which trail you’re on, but it’s very intense. In the Rincon District, you’ll find wonderful views as you drive the nicely paved route. There are hiking trails, but not as remote and you’re likely to encounter more people. The wildlife viewing in this area is far better than the Tucson Mountain District (roadrunners and coyotes), so a little patience here goes a long way.
Where to Stay Near Saguaro NP
In general, staying anywhere around Tucson, Arizona is good for visiting Saguaro National Park. As the park is split into two sections with the city between them, you’ll not have a tough time finding a good spot. Keep in mind though, if you’re planning to head across the city for a hike at the same time as morning traffic, you’ll probably encounter some delays. Tucson is a large city, so map your plan before confirming your hotel booking.
We enjoyed staying just outside of Tucson near Oro Valley at the Westward Look Resort. The location was great with minimal traffic whenever we left. It was quiet and beautiful, and being able to stay at a resort that incorporated so much of the land and natural elements added to our stay.
If you want to stay downtown Tucson, the west side around Arizona State University’s campus is great with lots of nightlife and restaurants. On the east side, the options are more mellow and standard (like national travel brand hotels), but it’s quiet over there and you’ll have LOTS of awesome food to choose from.
Visiting Saguaro National Park
When you visit Saguaro National Park, you have to know where you want to begin. If you’ve decided to start with a good hike, then you’re heading to the Tucson Mountain District (the west side). If you just want to explore a bit and keep it extra mellow, you’ll be going to the Rincon District. I like both sides, but we’ll start with the Tucson Mountain area to set up a great visit to the park.
REMEMBER: always bring lots of water and healthy snacks when you’re hiking in the desert. Once you’re on a dirt road or not at the visitor center, there are no services and the desert is HOT.
Visiting the Tucson Mountain District
The best place to start when you visit Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain District is the visitor center. It has a beautiful film, exhibits about what you’ll find in this part of the park, a gift shop and several trails going from the building. I always like to start at a visitor center when I’m visiting a National Park as the rangers will have information about any trail closures, things happening in the park, or where the best wildlife sightings have been lately. All of these are good things to know.
Hikes in Saguaro NP Tucson Mountain District
I like to make things both easy and awesome, and I think that’s just what you can expect from the Tucson Mountain District. You can plan your day in the western part of Saguaro National Park with some light hiking mixed with a little more of a challenge.
I think this is an ideal day in the Tucson Mountain District, and there’s enough flexibility to do the sput trails and enjoy both the nature and the history of the area:
- Visitors Center and cactus garden trails
- Desert Discovery Nature Trail
- Valley View to Wild Dog Trail to…
- Signal Hill for a picnic lunch and petroglyphs, then hike back to start
- End at Cam-Boh Trail to Panther Peak and return on the Roadrunner Trail for an easy sunset end of the day
There are quite a few other hikes in Saguaro National Park, but they’re more intense and will keep you from covering more ground and sites due to their distance and difficulty. If you stick with these hiking suggestions, you’ll have a full day with views, cactus, wildlife and great desert experiences in the Tucson Mountain District.
Tip: at Signal Hill, do the short hike over to the top of the hill. The petroglyphs are fascinating and actually very similar to ones we’ve seen in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, Grotto Canyon up in Banff, Alberta and even… wait for it… Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Pu’uloa Trail near the Holei Sea Arch.
Exploring Saguaro NP Ricon District
If you just spent a day or a morning in the Tucson Mountain District, the Rincon District of Saguaro National Park is going to absolutely surprise you. It’s vastly different. For visitors cramming it all into one day, you’ll have to cross some mountains from the west side to the east, going through a beautiful desert pass and then the city of Tucson. Once in the Rincon District, although it’s still the desert, it is very different in terms of geology, vegetation and wildlife.
The Tucson Mountain District is so very arid and full of giant saguaro cactus and boulders, but not too much else. In the Rincon District there is palo santo, saguaro, jumping cactus, and so much more. The coyotes are very present, the roadrunners are not so elusive, and the views are so varied. I prefer the Rincon District of Saguaro National Park to the Tucson Mountain side of things. Even if you stopped into the visitor center on the west side, make a stop here as well to get wildlife and safety information before heading out on a hike.
Driving the Loop Road
The Loop Road in the Rincon District of Saguaro National Park is one of the most unique National Park scenic drives I’ve done. It feels like that scene in Cars when Lightning McQueen is on a driving-date. The hills and curves of Cactus Forest Drive are beautiful and each bend is a new viewpoint with saguaro cactus and so much more. It takes about an hour to drive the loop and it’s incredible around sunrise or sunset.
Tip: drive as slowly as possible as there really is a remarkable amount of wildlife on the Saguaro NP Loop Road aka Cactus Forest Drive. We saw Wylie Coyote and the Roadrunner literally chasing each other like in a WB Loony Toon from the 40s. Amazing!
Hikes in Saguaro Rincon District
Before you head out hiking, double check your water supply, because you’re going to need it. Unless you go for one of the epically long hikes in the Rincon District (I’m looking at you Tanque Verde Ridge!) you can expect to spend about two hours at a time out in the desert wilderness. You can, of course, plan shorter hikes too, and if the weather is peak hotness, that’s the way to go. The best hub for exploring is actually the Mica View Picnic Area. From here you launch into a complete network of trails traversing small valleys and areas of the saguaro cactus forest.
Note: the saguaro cactus forest isn’t what you’re expecting. Be sure to read the exhibits along the road, as it’ll explain how decimated the cactus population once was and how it’s recovered.
A great plan for hiking in the Rincon District of Saguaro National Park is to start early and break up your day. Here are my picks for hikes and a great plan for a day hiking in the Rincon area on the east side of Saguaro National Park:
- Start at the visitor center nice and early, reading the exhibits outside if the indoor space isn’t open yet.
- Move onto the Mica View area to do the Mica View Trail to Cactus Forest Trail and then back along the road to your vehicle
- OR Mica View to Pink Hill to Loma Verde to Cholla and then finish with Cactus Forest ending on the Mica View Trail
- Stop at the Desert Discovery Nature Trail for some learning, the map calls it the Desert Ecology Trail
- Either take the Cactus Forest Trail southward and arrange a pickup at the Freeman Homestead Trail, or drive to the homestead trail head to do the loop. This is a great trail that can be done in just over an hour (two hours if you do the Cactus Forest leg).
Hiking in the Rincon District is fun and beautiful. I love how all of the trails connect, but that also confusing if this isn’t your normal type of hiking. Either print the trail map, grab one from the visitor center, or download the offline maps for the area in the AllTrails app. You don’t want to get lost in Saguaro National Park. Even though it seems like every trail leads back to the main road, they criss-cross a lot!
Sunset in Saguaro National Park
I think sunset on the east side in the Rincon District is amazing. I love it here because there are more cactus varieties than on the Tucson Mountain site, and each photographs so differently, especially at sunset. Whether you do a portion of the Mica View Trail or the Freeman Homestead Trail, both have exceptional cactus specimens that catch the colors of the sunset beautifully.
Remember, if you’re visiting Saguaro National Park in winter, the temperature drops very quickly once the sun goes down. You may start out sweating but as dusk settles you may be shivering as you walk back to your car. Be smart and prepared with both layers and drinking water for your hikes.
Pets in Saguaro National Park
Dog people love traveling with their pets and national and state parks tend to be great places to explore with dogs. Saguaro National Park is more tricky because it’s so hot and has lots of pet hazards, such as venomous snakes, spiky cactus and burned paws. Dog owners have to be extra careful to make sure their pets are safe and not overheating. Also, DOGS MUST BE ON A 6 FOOT LEASH AT ALL TIMES.
If you’re bringing a dog to Saguaro NP, here are the areas you can go exploring with them:
- Mica View Dirt Road – west
- Mica View Trail – west
- Desert Ecology Trail – west
- Cactus Forest Loop Road – west
- Bajada Loop Drive – east
- Desert Discovery Trail – east **we’ve seen several coyotes on this short trail
- Golden Gate Road – east
If you’re bringing a pup into the park, particularly in summer, make sure they have their dog shoes to protect their paws. Even though there are several gravel roads/trails to hike with a dog in Saguaro National Park, the rocks get hot and any paved trails and roads can be even hotter.
Need to Know for Saguaro NP
Do you still have questions about visiting Saguaro National Park? It was a mystery to me until my first visit, but now I can say that I love it and it’s worth the visit. Here’s anything else you might want to know about the park…
What is Saguaro National Park known for?
Saguaro National Park is known for its amazing stands the saguaro cactus, which is the largest cactus species in the United States and THE symbol of the American Southwest. The park has several of the different habitats of the unique Sonoran Desert ecosystem and includes opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing (road runners!), and scenic drives.
Where is Saguaro National Park located?
The park is located in southern Arizona, on both sides of the city of Tucson. It is divided into two separate districts: the Rincon Mountain District to the east and the Tucson Mountain District (Red Hills area) to the west.
What are the park’s visiting hours?
Saguaro National Park is open from 5:00 am to sunset, though visitor center hours vary by season. The visitor centers are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm October through May, and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm June through September. It’s always a good idea to check the park’s official website for the most current hours and any special closures for holidays and such.
Do I need a permit to hike in Saguaro National Park?
Most trails in the park do not require a permit, but certain activities, such as backcountry camping, do require permits. Be sure to check with the park for specific regulations and any necessary permits before you visit.
What wildlife can I expect to see in the park?
The park is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, javelinas, coyotes, bobcats, and lots of bird species. Keep an eye out for these animals while exploring, and remember to observe wildlife from a safe distance. If you spot any of the more rare wildlife, such as mountain lions, bobcats, ringtails or coatis, you should stop into a visitor center to report it to a ranger for general information and tracking.
Are there any campgrounds in Saguaro National Park?
The park does not have drive-in campgrounds within its boundaries however, there are several backcountry campgrounds in the surrounding area as a part of the Arizona Trail. You’ll need a permit / reservation for them and there are NO SERVICES at the backcountry campgrounds.
What are the best times of year to visit Saguaro National Park?
The best times to visit are generally in the winter and spring (December to May) when temperatures are more manageable and the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot, often exceeding 100°F (38°C) and it’s really difficult to enjoy. Even in the winter with freezing nights, the daytime temps can get pretty hot and surprise you.
Can I bring my dog to Saguaro National Park?
Pets are allowed in the park but must be leashed (6 foot) and are limited to specific trails and roads (see above). They are not permitted on most trails or in the backcountry. This is for their safety and to protect the wildlife that lives in the park.
What should I bring with me when visiting Saguaro National Park?
Bring lots of water, sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy hiking shoes if you plan to hit the trails. It’s also smart to bring a map (you can get one at the visitor center), camera, and healthy snacks you might need. Since cell service is very limited in some areas of the park, consider downloading hiking maps or information in advance.
Are there guided tours available in the park?
Yes, Saguaro National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs and guided tours. These can include nature walks, educational talks, and special events. Check the park’s website or visitor center for a schedule of upcoming programs and tours during your visit. Even if you don’t want to do a hike, you can do a guided caravan through the park to see the sights and learn with a ranger.
If you have any additional questions about visiting Saguaro National Park, hiking, bringing pets into the park or whatever else, please leave a comment or send us a note. We are always happy to share more and help plan awesome adventures.
