Saguaro National Park
Situated in southern Arizona, and surrounding the city of Tucson lies the home of America’s largest cacti: Saguaro National Park.
The towering Saguaro’s of Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park, established in 1933 and expanded to its current size in 1994, has two distinct districts separated by the city of Tucson. To the east of Tucson lies the Rincon Mountain District. To the west of Tucson, you will find the Tucson Mountain District. The unique regions of Saguaro National Park are approximately 30-40 minutes away from each other, and while both contain endless amounts of the namesake cacti, both the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District have their own exceptional individual qualities which should both be explored!
Saguaro cacti dot the mountainside in Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park requires a $25 entrance fee and is open to walkers and cyclists 24 hours a day. The Rincon Mountain District (East Saguaro) is open to cars along its Cactus Forest Loop Drive typically from sunrise to sunset. Similarly, cars are allowed through the Tucson Mountain District (West Saguaro) along the Bajada Loop Scenic Drive from sunrise to sunset, as well. As can be expected, summer in the Sonoran Desert can get extremely hot, so hiking during this season is best left for early morning or evening hours, whereas winter in Saguaro National Park offers pleasant weather throughout the day.
The Rincon Mountains make a perfect backdrop in Saguaro National Park
The 97,000+ acres of Saguaro National Park offer exceptional vistas, rich history, and vibrant, colorful scenery throughout both Districts. The 8,666 ft Mica Mountain summit in the Rincon Mountain District towers over the Sonoran Desert of the park, while the rich cultural history of Hohokam people are scattered and preserved throughout the Tucson Mountain Region.
Wildlife can be found throughout Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is filled with a diverse variety of plants, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Holes seen in Saguaro cacti are often abandoned homes made by Gila Woodpeckers that Elf and Screech Owls will re-inhabit. While the 107 bird species in the park can be frequently heard through the land, the mammals and reptiles such as the Javelina and Gila Monsters are far more elusive throughout Saguaro National Park.
Javelina Rocks in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park
Both the Rincon and Tucson Mountain Districts offer extensive hiking options ranging from short, paved nature trails such as the Desert Ecology Trail, to strenuous backcountry hikes, such as the 15 mile, 4000+ ft Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Hiking information and maps can be obtained at the Rincon Mountain Visitors Center in the east section of the park, or the Red Hills Visitors Center in the west.
The Barrel cactus always leans south
As Saguaro National Park is made up of two distinct regions, its best to give yourself multiple days to explore this beautiful landscape. The smaller Tucson Mountain Region can certainly be explored in 1 day, whereas the Rincon Mountain Region, depending on your goals within the park, can be seen over the course of 1-3 days.
The Tucson Mountains rising high above Saguaro National Park
The beauty of Saguaro National Park truly embodies the ideals of the American Southwest with its towering peaks and iconic cacti. The wild landscape of the Sonoran Desert protected by the park is all encompassing as you walk among these 40-50 ft giants. With two unique and magnificent Districts, endless hiking, and a vast array of flora and fauna, Saguaro National Park truly represents the awe and wonder that bring so many to the Great American Southwest.
The Saguaro towering over the Tucson night sky
