Ultimate Guide to Saguaro National Park (+ Two Day Itinerary)

Looking to visit Saguaro National Park? I’m sharing everything there is to know before visiting, including a two-day itinerary, in my Ultimate Guide to Saguaro National Park.

Saguaro National Park may get its name from a single species of cactus, but it is so much more than that. Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona just 60 miles north of the United States – Mexico border, the park protects 90,000+ acres of land. There is so much to see and do from the desert lowlands to the ridge of the Rincon Mountains, including visiting the city of Tucson that lies right in between the two park districts.

What is a saguaro cactus?

A saguaro cactus is a giant species of cactus that is native to the Sonoran Desert. The cacti can grow to be anywhere from 40-60 feet tall and have a lifespan of around 200 years. Saguaro National Park protects over 90,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert and almost 2 million saguaro cacti. Aside from the park’s biggest attraction, there is so much more to see from the desert grasslands to the conifer forests in the mountains, including 3,500 different species of plants, and many different animals from smaller creatures like rattlesnakes to larger mammals like mountain lions.

Many people are drawn to this area to see animals that are only found in a few other places throughout the country like the vermillion flycatcher and venomous Gila monster. Animals living in Saguaro National Park have evolved to survive the extreme heat and scarce water supply. Many species will remain dormant while temperatures are at their highest during the day.

More than 8,000 years of history is represented within the park. Archeologists have uncovered artifacts throughout the park of villages and farmsteads from the Archaic and Hohokam periods. Visitors have the chance to see petroglyphs and pictographs up close right here in the park at Signal Hill.

Three sites within Saguaro National Park are listed on the Arizona State Register of Historic Places. Two sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park

Located in the Sonoran Desert, Saguaro National Park experiences extreme heat during the summer months (June – September). Temperatures average about 90-110s° F (32-43° C) in peak sunlight, but drop to a more pleasant temperature in the evening, averaging in the low 70s. If you’re traveling during this time of the year, make sure to stay hydrated and dress appropriately. It is recommended to not hike strenuous trails after 11:00am or before 4:00pm. If the average temperature for the day exceeds 110° F (43° C), do not hike at all.

Saguaro National Park does experience a monsoon season beginning in late July with annual precipitation averaging about 10 inches in the Tucson Mountains and 12.5 inches in the Rincon Mountains. Thunderstorms and flash floods are common during this time of the year so be sure to remain alert if it is raining and avoid hiking in dry riverbeds. The best time to see reptiles in their most active state is during monsoon season.

The fall months (September – December) and spring months (March – June) bring much more pleasant daytime temperatures, averaging between 70-80s° F (21-27° C). The best time to see the saguaro cacti in bloom is late April into early May. Fruit will begin to appear by June.

If you’re traveling to Saguaro National Park in the winter months (December – March), expect warm temperatures throughout the day, averaging between 65-75° F (18-24° C), and cooler temperatures in the evening, averaging between 50-60° F (10-16° C). It is not uncommon to have days 40° F (4° C) or below, along with large snowstorms, especially at higher elevations. The storms may also travel down into the valley from time to time and it is truly spectacular to see snow falling over the desert.

How to Get to Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is divided into two districts – East and West. Tuscon, Arizona is located in between both sides of the park. It will take you about 1 hour to get from the Red Hills Visitor Center (West) to the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center (East). If using electronic navigation, make sure to search by visitor center name and not just “Saguaro National Park.”

Closest International Airports:

Phoenix, Arizona ~ 1 hour and 45 minutes to Saguaro National Park West and ~ 2 hours to Saguaro National Park East.

Tucson, Arizona ~ 40 minutes to Saguaro National Park West and ~ 30 minutes to Saguaro National Park East. Tuscon is a smaller airport, so you will most likely find cheaper flights into Phoenix.

Getting Around the Park

There is no park-operated shuttle system within the park. I recommend renting a car to freely explore both districts of the park at your own pace. Vehicles longer than 35 feet or wider than 8 feet are not permitted on either roads detailed below.

Cactus Forest Loop Drive on the East is 8 miles long and passes by several trailheads and pull-offs. Bicycling and mountain biking are popular within the park. Bikes are permitted on the loop drive and on 2 trails – Cactus Forest and Hope Camp.

Bajada Loop Drive on the West is 6 miles long and passes by several trailheads and pull-offs. Bajada Loop Drive is a dirt road, but does not require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles to drive to the loop. Bicycling is popular within the park. Bikes are permitted on all paved roads, Bajada Loop Drive, and on 2 trails – Belmont and Golden Gate.

Credit: National Park Maps

Quick Facts and Things to Know

Operating Hours: The East side of the park is open daily from 5:00am – 6:00pm in the winter and 5:00am – 8:00pm in the summer. The West side of the park is generally open from sunrise to sunset. Both sides are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Visitors can walk or bike in 24 hours a day.

Visitor Centers and Services: There are two visitor centers within the park – Rincon Mountain Visitor Center on the East and Red Hills Visitor Center on the West. Both are open daily from 8:00am – 5:00pm and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Between the two areas you will find restrooms, water stations, bookstore, and a gift shop.

Internet and Cellular Access: There is no WiFi available in Saguaro National Park. Cell service is limited in both districts of the park. Dead zones do exist, especially in the backcountry. You will find the best service as you move toward Tucson.

Accessibility: Saguaro National Park is mostly accessible for all visitors. Both visitor centers are fully accessible for those with mobility restrictions and equipped with open-captioned films, touch tables for hands-on learning, and brochures in large text and Braille. There are also paved paths at both visitor centers that allow close viewing of the saguaro cactus, as well as a few paved trails along both main roads through the park.

Pets: Pets are only allowed on roadways, paved trails, and in picnic areas within Saguaro National Park. All pets must be leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed on unpaved trails due to existing desert hazards which include rattlesnakes, scorpions, cactus spines, etc. Overheating is common in the desert and hot sand can injure unacclimated pets.

Fees / Passes

7 Day Passes:

Private Vehicle (15 passenger limit) – $25, Motorcycle (2 passenger limit) – $20, Bicycle/Walk-in – $15 per person/15 years or younger are free

Visit www.nps.gov for more information on pricing, commercial tours, and annual pass requirements.

Annual/Lifetime Passes:

• Saguaro Annual Pass – $45
• America the Beautiful Annual Pass – $80
• Senior Citizens (62+): Annual – $20, Lifetime – $80
• Military Personnel, Dependents, Veterans, and Gold Star Families – Free
• Permanent Disability – Free
• 4th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Pass – Free
• Volunteer Pass – Free

It’s always important to remember where your money goes when paying to enter land managed by the National Park Service. 80% of the park fee will go to the individual park that collected the money and 20% of the fee will go to other National Park Service lands that currently do not have an entrance fee in place. The money is used for facility maintenance and repair, habitat restoration, staff pay, and more. You can find further information on nps.gov.

Where to Stay When Visiting Saguaro National Park

There is no lodging within the park. There is also no front country camping (tent and RV) within the park. The only way to stay within Saguaro is to camp in the backcountry at any of the 6 campsites within the Saguaro Wilderness Area. If you plan to camp, make sure you prepare with proper shelter, clothing, hydration, and navigation. A permit is required and can be obtained online. Hiking distances range from 4-10 miles.

Boondocking: Since it is prohibited to spend the night in National Park parking lots, many visitors opt to find areas outside of the park. A few popular sites are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (Snyder Hill) and the Forest Service. I recommend doing some extra research before showing up to make sure the site is fit for your camping set up.

Hotels: There are plenty of lodging options found in Tucson, Arizona.

Unique Stays: Airbnb or Vrbo

Two Day Itinerary in Saguaro National Park

The park is split into two districts. The West side of the park has a more dense population of the saguaro cactus. The East side of the park highlights the Rincon Mountains. Spending two days around the park will allow you to see both districts.

Leave No Trace: There are 7 principles you should know before setting out on any adventure. This includes planning ahead, traveling along durable surfaces, disposing of waste, leaving what you find, minimizing the impact of your campfire, respecting wildlife, and being considerate to those who are also enjoying the space.

Day 1 – Saguaro National Park West

• Drive into the West side and visit the Red Hills Visitor Center. Check out the indoor and outdoor exhibits. The visitor center has a few paved trails around the building that display the beautiful saguaro cacti.
• If you’re looking for a shorter paved trail, just down the road from the visitor center is the Desert Discovery Nature Trail. The trail is 0.4 mile loop that brings you up close to the cacti.
• The highlight of Saguaro National Park West is driving Bajada Loop Drive, a 6-mile dirt road that accesses many of the park’s top trailheads and overlooks.

• Hike the Hugh Noris Trail Big Loop – A difficult 6.6 mile loop that brings you up along the ridge and back down to the Bajada Wash. This parking lot does fill up fast, so be sure to start early.

• Walk out to the Valley View Overlook – A quick 0.3 mile trail one-way to a viewpoint overlooking a dense valley of saguaro cacti. This area is one of the best places to catch an epic sunset over the saguaros.
• View the Signal Hill Petroglyphs. This area has over 200 petroglyphs from the Hokoham people, although not all of them can actually be seen on this trail. The trail is short (only 0.3 miles out & back), so it’s hard to think of a reason why you shouldn’t make a stop here. There is also a nice picnic area.
• BONUS: If you’re thinking you want to be out of the park before sunset and will be heading towards downtown Tucson, an epic sunset spot to check out is the scenic overlook at Gates Pass.

Day 2 – Saguaro National Park East

• Drive into the East side and visit the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center. This visitor center is smaller than the Red Hills Visitor Center, but still has awesome exhibits to check out and learn about the park.
• The highlight of Saguaro National Park East is driving Cactus Forest Loop Drive, a 8-mile paved road that passes several major trailheads and dramatic vistas. It’s important to note that the road is a one-way road until the Javelina Picnic Area.
• Once you begin the drive, I recommend taking your time stopping at the different overlooks between the trailheads. My favorites were the Future Generations Overlook, Cactus Forest Overlook, and Riparian Overlook.

• If you’re looking for a shorter paved trail, the Desert Ecology Nature Trail is a 0.25 mile loop that brings you alongside the Javelina Wash. This trail is similar to the Desert Discovery Nature Trail located on the West side of the park.
• Hike the Loma Verde Loop Trail – A 3.8 mile desert floor loop with roughly 150 feet of elevation gain. When I visited in the beginning of September, there was a little water in the wash, but it wasn’t totally dry which was exciting! This trail has plenty of add-on options should you want to extend your hike into the mountains or canyon.
• Lastly, take a left off of Cactus Forest Loop towards the Javelina Picnic Area and hike the Freeman Homestead Trail – A 1-mile loop through a grove of giant saguaros. This trail is a popular site to see Great Horned Owls.

HAPPY EXPLORING!

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