You can spend the night in a Saguaro-studded canyon, watch giant clouds of milling bats, or simply connect with nature at the foot of the magnificent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. . Someone must have previously captured that rattlesnake, turquoise in the tail in not found in nature. Check out StreetView of the road to see what you think. PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visitPetrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Set on two separate sides of the city of Tuscon, Saguaro National Park showcases the Sonoran Desert. Hours: The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. Be advised: the park is split into an east side and a west side, with Tucson in between. GRAND CANYON: Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do on the South Rim, how to spend one perfect day in the Grand Canyon, and which South Rim viewpoints are the best ones to visit. We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107F. Good luck in your travel. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. Saguaro National Parkis under limited operations due to COVID-19. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. Situated just outside of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is a fantastic place to view the sunset. Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? June and July are the hottest months to visit. Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! The best way to get around Tucson is to hire a car. Traveling between the two sections of the park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Plan your visit with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. A. is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. Saguaro Attractions and things to do and see in Saguaro - There are so many things to do in Saguaro National Park you will not want to miss! We spent several hours in Saguaro East and then checked into our hotel in Tucson. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Breakfast at White Tank Campground. Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities. Moonlight Programs Distance: 3.8 miles. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. I stayed in Tucson Mountain Park for sunset, as it's actually a better place to catch an epic desert sunset, better than anywhere in the national park. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. Panther Peak Wash would be an almost definite no just because it's a wash and it's on the west side of the divide. Mar 17, 2016; Hiking with a toddler Oct 28, 2015; Afternoon and morning in Saguaro-which part when? Upscale: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, Best Things to do in Saguaro National Park, More Information for Your Trip to Arizona. A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, plus when to go, where to stay, how to plan your time, and what it is like in June. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. This area has the most Saguaro Cacti and dense . Take the trail that leads up to this scenic spot and hike along the cliffs to see some fantastic views. Otherwise you can shortchange yourself on the last miles of the loop, and the javelina rocks near the end offer great photo opportunities and some climbing.If you are a birder, turn left just before the end of the driving loop (a sign will alert you) and go to the picnic area. For this reason, photographers hoping for a sunrise photoshoot should go to the West section. Saguaro National Park is a fantastic desert park encompassing over 92,000 acres and an uncountable amount of Saguaro cacti. You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. Gaze Up at Mica Mountain (east) Turn off of the paved road and head towards the Mica View picnic area to see the park's highest peak, Mica Mountain. We Dream of Travel is also a participant with the Booking.com and Get Your Guide affiliate programs. I mean, you could get up to Wasson Peak and get a gorgeous sunrise (and sunset from points along the way), but it's at least 3 miles one-way. For a big adventure, hike to the top of Wassen Peak. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. To learn more about hiking Saguaro East, visit the National Park Service website. Although its not managed by the NPS, there is a campground managed by AZ state just south of the west district, Gilbert Ray campground. East and West park are different but both have impressive desert scenes. April, however, sees relatively moderate temperatures and while the crowds have died down, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom. Join us on an adventure in the desert! The Saguaro cactus, native to this region, is predominantly found in the dry southern part Arizona, spilling over into the Mexican state of Sonora and Imperial County, California. Is that a decent time to go? Learn more on the official national park website. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. The West Section remains open but receives too much light pollution from the city of Tucson to successfully shoot the night skies. Best sunrises in Tucson. With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. Many, but not all, of the Saguaros grow arms. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. Best Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. You don't want to be walking a trail in the dark, even with a flashlight. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The best spot to catch sunset at the park is on the east side at either the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. The two districts, Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain, offer stunning desert landscapes, petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people, and an abundance of cacti. . The Saguaro cactus flowers from mid-May through early June. . Saguaro National Park is split into two sections -- the Tucson Mountain District sits west; the Rincon Mountain District sits east; and the city of Tucson and its 1-million residents sits in between the two. If you need more information about the park itself, we have written an ultimate guide to Saguaro National Park with everything you need to know for first-time visits. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Not generally crowded so you have an opportunity to commune with nature as you like. At first glance, the desert of Saguaro National Park looks and feels inhospitable. Saguaro National Park is a beautiful, desert preserve in southern Arizona. Besides the . So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links . The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Most photographers prefer the landscapes of the West Section, but Javelina Rocks is a favorite photo destination in the East. LOVE the cactus!! Check the calendar for current offerings before you go. Like all desert locations, the weather in Saguaro National Park brings warm days and chilly nights. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60132697', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson are A Mountain or Gates Pass. Best Saguaro National Park Scenic Drive Mar 26, 2016; Desert in bloom Mar 25, 2016; Do I need a 4WD in late March? These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Note that the Hugh Norris Trail is a steep one! The Valley View Overlook Trail takes you through some saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, and gently rolling slopes to a grand view overlooking the valley. Why you should camp here: Sleep among giant saguaro cacti with electrical hookups and views of Tucson Mountain Park. I just looked on Google Maps and I do see E. Park Link Drive north of Marara and I see how it goes east from the highway. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. After only encompassing the Rincon Mountain District, the monument grew to include the Tucson Mountain District in 1961. 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. But the desert is home to some of the most adaptive and interesting plants and animals on our planet. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. Time: 1.5 hours. Thanks for . Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. For sunset in the east unit, Javelina Rocks is a good area. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). If you plan on visiting a few National Parks this year, the best deal for most people is the Interagency Annual Pass, affectionately called the America the Beautiful pass. The Javelina Rocks are toward the last part of the loop road. The parks name comes from the saguaro-sized cactus native to its desert surroundings. Arches National Park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60041637', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson doesn't have the most spectacular sunrises. All rights reserved. We were able to take . . Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to Saguaro National Park West. I preferred the Rincon Mt. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. It was also a destination hike, which is rare in this national park. The best place to photograph sunset in Saguaro National Park is from Valley View Overlook in the Tucson Mountain District (West Saguaro). Just want to enjoy the beautiful sky with the awesome saguaros. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, organized by location. But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. . Therefore I would take Ina Road to Wade road for photos. But theres no pressure, so some of them dont grow any arms at all. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Bajada Loop Drive: Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. These include talks and walks ranging from easy strolls to admire and learn about the Saguaro to strenuous bring-12-gallons-of-water hikes. Our Hikes:Desert Discovery Nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching! The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. Or, walk a section of the Hugh Norris Trail or the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. For sunset, what are the favorite areas in both the east and west sides? and makes them easier to spot. Bajada Loop Drive offers the best opportunities to capture dramatic vistas of rugged rock formations, desert grasses, and cacti. The monument was given official National Park status in 1994. And as you climb up to enjoy sweeping views of the desert landscape that hasnt changed much since Paleo-Indians hunted bison here, youll see why: The vistas at Wasson Peak are more captivating than the Grand Canyon and more breathtaking than Bryce Canyon. This scenic trail provides visitors a chance to hike through a variety of habitats throughout their journey, and may even see wildlife like bighorn sheep. Great horned owl perched on a dead tree with cactus in the background. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. East Saguaro is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD). Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Monsoon season typically lasts through September. However, there are some places in Saguaro West that are spectacular for sunrise photography as well. This allows unlimited access to all Federal fee areas for one year from the date of purchase. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you have any questions about Saguaro National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below! The other plant and animal life just adds to the drama and beauty. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Beware of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. The park is open to bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day. Sunset view of Sonoran desert from Tucson Mountain Park. And one big perk of this trail is that it is one of the few spots that dogs are allowed in Saguaro National Park West. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. Saguaro National Park West is rugged and sharp, beautiful cacti-clad mountains all around you. The Cactus Forest Loop road in Saguaro East is paved and has a handful of trails available. The cacti absorb gallons and gallons of water in the summer monsoon season and use this stored water throughout the remainder of the year. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. You don't see any of the city looking that way though, so you would be missing that. This is not part of the national park but if you want to learn more about the desert ecosystem, this is a great place to visit. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Check the parks website for up to date hours and notices. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. Saguaros can live up to 200 years (although some sources state that they can live even longer than this). 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