Hey there! Are you ready to plan an awesome trip to Saguaro National Park?! This was the first national park established to protect a species — the mighty saguaro cactus. It is estimated that there are around 1.8 million saguaro cacti in the park!
You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.
Saguaro is a place you will never forget — and likely somewhere you will talk about for years to come. As you walk through forests filled to the brim with this symbol of the American West, you’ll feel as if you are surrounded by friends with their arms outstretched!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Saguaro and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to Saguaro, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 5 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Saguaro National Park
- Saguaro is made up of two separate sections — the Tucson Mountain District (WEST) and the Rincon Mountain District (EAST). It takes about an hour to drive between the two sections. For a map of the park, click here.
- Stop into a visitor center and chat with a ranger about what makes this park so special. For instance, an adult saguaro cactus can weigh 8 tons or more and stand 50 feet high! You’ll better appreciate what you see if you take some time to learn about the area.
- There are no lodging options within Saguaro National Park (with the exception of some hike-in backcountry campsites), but there are plenty of places to stay in Tucson. If you’re looking for a great campground near the park, check out the Gilbert Ray Campground. It’s a fabulous place to stay, just a few minutes away from West Saguaro.
- The busy season at the park is from November – March when the temperatures are mild. The many varieties of cacti start to bloom in March and April, but the saguaro usually doesn’t bloom until mid-late May.
- Flash floods can happen! Be especially aware of the weather if you are visiting during monsoon season, June 15 – September 30. If visiting during these months, stop in at a visitor center to check conditions and learn how to stay safe before attempting to drive or hike in the park.
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off the beaten path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see this fabulous list of 5 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Saguaro National Park!
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We are planning a trip to Saguaro in March. Can I ask where you took the Sunset photo above?
We are also planning trips to Glacier (2024, already have all our reservations) and Yellowstone and Grand Teton next year. Purchased your itineraries and they have been a great help in the planning process!
I usually watch the sunset from either the Red Hills Visitor Center or the Desert Discovery Nature Trail!
We only have about 2 hours to spend at this NP. Which side: East or West???? TY!
West if you want to get out of the car and do some good hiking in a short amount of time :)
Can you see Saguaro in a day or do you recommend more than one? We definitely want to hike a few trails.
Stephanie
I think it’s the most efficient use of time to pick one side of the park or the other if you only have one day — I personally wouldn’t try to get to both sections on the same day if you’re hoping to hike. Have fun!
thanks for this, we are heading there next week! pretty excited.
Have fun!
On the way to saguaro national park now. Thanks for helpful tips.. will follow your guide. Thanks!
Have fun!
Perfect timing for this post as my wife and I are heading out there this summer, probably arriving around Labor Day. Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Yosemite are all on our list along with four or five additional National Parks this fall. Picking up a lot of good tips on what to see and how long to spend. Keep these tips coming. Thanx,
Jim
Sounds like a great trip! Stay in touch and have an amazing time!
I spent a few days at Saguaro last month and loved it. I have to agree, this is a great roundup for first time visitors and I never once got tired of admiring the strange formations of the saguaros.
Thanks Terra!