Exploring Saguaro National Park - Top Spots & Park Activities

The royal icon of the American southwest, the mighty saguaro (pronounced "suh-wah-roh") cactus, rules over the national park that bears its name. This thirsty monarch can grow up to four stories high and reign through a lifespan of 150-200 years. And yet, this king of the cactus family is just one of the many attractions in Saguaro National Park. 

At first glance, this gem of a park within the Sonoran Desert seems barren. But a closer inspection reveals a well-protected habitat bursting at its seams with a range of plants and animals, including 200 birds and 50 mammal species. 

Saguaro Park also offers its visitors a ton of incredible things to do. From exploring historic sites to hiking, wildlife watching, and camping in the desert, these are the must-do's in this Tucson National Park. 

Key Takeaways

• Saguaro National Park Tucson is named after a tree-sized cactus that only grows in the Sonoran Desert. 
• Saguaro National Park is divided into two districts by Tucson: Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) and Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West). Saguaro National Park entrance fee includes both districts. 
• The two Saguaro National Park districts are about 30 minutes from downtown Tucson and approximately one hour from each other. 
• It's possible to visit both parts of Saguaro National Park within one day, one in the morning and the second later in the afternoon. 
• There are six backcountry campgrounds in the eastern district of Saguaro National Park. 

Visiting Saguaro National Park

First things first - where is Saguaro National Park? 

Saguaro National Park is a stunning national park in Pima County, Arizona. It's a stone's throw away from Tucson and approximately 1.5-2 hours from Phoenix. 

The city of Tucson splits this cactus national park into two districts: Saguaro East and Saguaro West. The east portion of the park is officially called the Rincon Mountain District (RMD), while the western portion is called the Tucson Mountain District (TMD). 

Both districts are about a 30-minute drive from downtown Tucson. This puts them about an hour from each other. Each district has a visitor center, scenic drive, stunning desert views, and miles of hiking and biking trails. 

Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park

Winters in Saguaro National Park are delightful, with average highs of 60° F during the day and lows of 40° F at night. These milder temperatures make December through February the perfect time to explore the best hikes in Saguaro National Park.

Note that the cooler temperatures of winter make the Saguaro National Park very popular with the locals and snowbirds from the north. 

Spring can be a great time to visit Saguaro National Park for fewer crowds and slightly favorable weather conditions compared to summer. Spring mornings in Saguaro Cactus National Park typically start cool but steadily climb to highs of 70s and 80s by mid-afternoon. 

Summer in Saguaro is uncomfortably hot. With most days experiencing temperatures in the triple digits, the summer months of June, July, and August are not the best for hiking in Saguaro National Park. If you can only visit during summer, we recommend planning your trip around late August when the temperatures are a few degrees cooler. 

Fall is still hot in Saguaro National Park. But the weather may be pleasant for a morning or late afternoon hike. 

Saguaro National Park - Where to Stay

There are no hotels or lodges inside of either Saguaro National Park district. There is a cabin in Saguaro East - Manning Cabin - but it's not available to the public.

Luckily, Tucson has hundreds of hotels, lodges, and Air BnBs. Wherever you stay in this charming city, you'll be a quick drive from the attractions in either district. 

Best Hotels to Stay for Saguaro National Park in Tucson

• Grand Luxe Hotel and Resort
• Red Roof Inn
• Motel 6 Tucson
• Hotel McCoy
• Lodge on the Desert
• Hilton Tucson East

Camping is another excellent accommodation option when visiting Saguaro National Park. 

There are six designated campgrounds and a total of 21 campsites in Saguaro National Park. All of them are located in the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) and are meant for backcountry camping only.

Saguaro National Park sites don't allow RV camping since the campgrounds are inaccessible by vehicles. Also, note that there's no running water in Saguaro campgrounds. Remember to include at least one gallon of water per person daily in your camping checklist. 

Campgrounds in Saguaro National Park 

• Manning Camp (6 sites)
• Douglas Spring (3 sites)
• Juniper Basin (3 sites)
• Spud Rock Spring (3 sites)
• Grass Shack (3 sites)
• Happy Valley Saddle (3 sites)

Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park Western District

Although there are no campgrounds in Saguaro West, there are several private and public camping sites nearby.

Gilbert Ray Campground is our top recommendation in terms of affordability, proximity to the park, and location. This campground is inside Saguaro National Forest, about five miles southeast of Red Hills Visitor Center. The campground has 130 RV and tent sites. Charges are $10 per night for tent sites with no electric hookup and $20 for RV sites with electricity.

Saguaro National Park Itinerary

If you plan to spend one day in Saguaro National Park, here's how to make the most of your time. 

Morning - Tucson Mountain District (West)

Red Hills Visitor Center

Start your Saguaro National Park itinerary at the Red Hills Visitor Center. It's located at 2700 North Kinney Road, about 30 minutes from downtown Tucson. This is a good place to learn about the diverse flora and fauna that constitutes Saguaro National Park. The rangers will share important information about the park and help plan your trip based on your time frame and interests. 

The center also has interesting interpretive displays and videos that give you a native American perspective of the park. 

The Red Hills Visitor Center opens every day from 9 AM to 5 PM except on Christmas Day. Amenities at the center include a gift shop and restrooms. Note that there's no food or beverages at the visitor center. 

Desert Discovery Nature Trail

After the visitor center, it's time to hit the road for one of the best scenic drives in Arizona: the Bajada Loop Drive. Start by checking out the Desert Discovery Nature Trail, just three minutes northwest of the visitor center along North Kinney Road. 

The Desert Discovery Nature Trail is a 0.4-mile loop, a fairly flat hike with almost no elevation change. The entire trail is paved, making it perfect for the whole family, including toddlers and wheelchairs. Be sure to stop at the numerous markers that provide detailed information about the plants and animals that occupy that region of the Sonoran desert. 

Bajada Loop Drive

The Bajada Loop is the main scenic drive in Saguaro West, comprising Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. This 6-mile unpaved graded road has numerous pullouts for hiking, picnicking, sightseeing, and photography. 

Hike the Valley View Overlook Trail 

The Valley View Overlook Trail is the first must-do hike on the Bajada Loop Drive. The Valley View Overlook is an easy 0.4-mile (one-way) trail that offers expansive views of the saguaro cacti and rolling desert hills in the background. It's a great way to get up and close with these age-gold Arizona giants and can be done by hikers of all ages. 

Visit the Signal Hill Petroglyphs Site

The Bajada Loop Drive has several hiking trails you should consider if you have the time. But whatever you do, make sure to visit Signal Hill Petroglyphs. The trail for this site is around 2.3 miles or a 10-minute drive from the Valley View Overlook trailhead via Hohokam/Golden Gate/Signal Hill Road. The Signal Hill Petroglyph Site is a unique rocky hill showcasing over 200 prehistoric petroglyphs made by the Hohokam people between 450 and 1450 AD. 

The Signal Hill trail is a short, sweet, 1.1-mile (round trip) trip with an elevation gain of about 50 feet. There is a picnic area near the trailhead, which you can return to for snacks after the hike.                                              

Afternoon - Rincon Mountain District East

Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center 

In the afternoon, ideally, when the temperature drops, it's time to explore the eastern side of Saguaro National Park, Arizona. As always, the visitor center is a solid place to start exploring the park. The interactive exhibits and the Sonoran Desert diorama offer a wealth of information about the park's history, landscape, and wildlife. This Saguaro National Park visitor center opens daily throughout the year from 9 AM to 5 PM, except for Christmas. 

Cactus Forest Drive

After picking up park brochures, interacting with the rangers, and filling up your water bottle, it's time to drive the famous Cactus Forest Loop Drive. The 8-mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive starts right at the visitor center. 

If you can brave its twisty corners and steep hills, this one-way drive hosts over ten pullouts, including hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas all waiting for you. 

Assuming you drive clockwise, the first attraction will be about two minutes from the visitor center - the Future Generations Overlook. Less than a mile from here, you'll find the Sonoran Desert Overlook, where you can learn about the different types of cacti that call this desert home. 

The first family-friendly trail you'll come across is the Desert Ecology Trail. It's a 0.3-mile loop trail, perfectly flat and paved to accommodate all wheels. 

Along this route, other recommendable overlooks and trails include Mica View Trail, Riparian Overlook, Rincon Mountains Overlook, and Javelina Rocks. Plan to be at Javelina Rocks as the sun sinks for one of the best sunsets in Arizona. 

Best Things to Do and See in Saguaro National Park

What to Do in Saguaro National Park

Go on a Scenic Drive

Driving through Saguaro National Park is one great way to experience its magical beauty. The park has two scenic drives: the Cactus Forest Drive in Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) and the Bajada Loop Drive in Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West).

Go Hiking

Any credible list of what to do in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, would include several hiking trails. Saguaro National Park boasts 26 hiking trails spread across both districts. The park has a trail for every fitness level, so whether you’re after the toughest trails in Arizona or want toddler-friendly or wheel-friendly trails, the Saguaro has a few options worth checking out. 

These are among the best trails in Saguaro National Park, Arizona:

• Valley View Overlook Trail (0.4 miles, one-way, west)
• Signal Hill Trail (1.1 miles, round-trip, west)
• Javelina West Wash Trail (5.8 miles, round-trip, east)
• Desert Discovery Nature Trail (0.4 miles, loop, west)
• Bajada Wash (5.2 miles, loop, west)
• Hugh Norris Trail (8.9 miles, round-trip, west)

Bike Among the Saguaros

Good news for bikers! Saguaro East is one of the best biking destinations in Tucson, Arizona. Hiking in Saguaro National Park is permitted around the entire Cactus Forest Loop and on the Camp Forest Trail (2.5 miles) and Hope Camp Trail (2.8 miles). 

Must-See Places to Visit at Saguaro National Park

The Signal Hill Petroglyph Site

Located four miles north of the Red Hills Visitor Center, this site protects over 200 Hohokam petroglyphs from the prehistoric age. 

Stargazing

On a clear night, the skies above Saguaro National Park offer the perfect spot to admire the millions of stars and arms of the Milky Way. If you’re inspired and humbled by the beauty of the moonless sky, be sure to include a telescope in your camping checklist. 

Sunset at Javelina Rocks and Gate Pass

Sunset seekers hoping to catch the most beautiful sunsets in Tucson should consider Javelina Rocks (Rincon Mountain District) and Gate Pass (Tucson Mountain District). Sunsets in these two spots are like a painter flexing their skills. 

Final Thoughts

You can guess how it feels to walk in the land of giant cacti with all their nearly human poses. It’s surreal and wonderful but equally strange. Despite their enormous size, it’s mind-boggling to imagine that these majestic giants of Arizona typically grow 1 to 1.5 inches in their first eight years of life. A saguaro with only one tiny arm is probably 50-75 years old! 

More wonders await you among the millions of saguaros in the Saguaro National Park. Believe it when we say you won’t be disappointed!

Featured image by: Antonel.