Go on Some Epic Hikes. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. April, however, sees relatively moderate temperatures and while the crowds have died down, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom. Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. The fact that it's a saguaro forest has to be seen to be believed. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. Great location & views among the Saguaro cactii. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic Area on the Bajada Loop Drive. Along the road are some partial mountain saddles. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its mandatory that you take 809 pictures of sunset with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with. A wide-angle lens. Here are some of the best campgrounds and campsites inside and outside of Saguaro National Park: If camping isnt your thing, there are plenty of resorts, hotels, hostels, inns, cabins and B&Bs within a quick drive of Saguaro National Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our goal is to create helpful & inspiring travel guides that combine our passion for photography with our insatiable desire to explore. This beautiful property has an outdoor pool and views of the nearby mountains. Hey it is a National Park look at those Saguaros! If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide and our Arizona Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! I have wanted to visit here for decades, and finally got the chance. Your email address will not be published. Many of the parking pullouts are trailheads for good desert hiking; get a map from the ranger at the entry booth. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. The elevation gain for this trail is 291 feet, and it is located in the west district of Saguaro National Park. The hill is large and offers 360-degree views of the area: Tucson, Arizona in general, and Saguaro National Park. On day 1, we drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson in the late afternoon. Ridge Trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 . Ranger programs are available year round in Saguaro National Park, but the January through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. 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. Mini Adventures. A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. My family spent several hours here, both at the East and West side. 1. With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. Make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the overlook. If you do get close enough to be in danger, they do this amazing thing.they typically warn you with a rattle which means back off!. Mar 17, 2016; Hiking with a toddler Oct 28, 2015; Afternoon and morning in Saguaro-which part when? The Ironwood Forest Trail is also west of the divide (I think I hiked this many years ago and it was all flat). What makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close and distant saguaro cacti to fill your frame. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. QUIET CONTRASTS: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST. If youre lucky enough to be in Saguaro National Park on a clear night, dont miss the opportunity to experience an excellent view of the Milky Way. Time to watch the beauty above us. 9. On this short trail you will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the park. If you found one of our travel guides invaluable in planning your next trip and would like to show your appreciation to the authors, please consider buying us a cup of coffee! If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. Saguaros are often depicted as tall, prickly plants with two arms. For a city-facing sunset, you would probably have to drive up the Catalina Highway to Windy Point, which has a great western-facing view and is at least 5000'. Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. To reserve your spot call the visitor center at 520-733-5158. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. Vehicle access is from sunrise to sunset daily. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the visitor center. Website: Visit the official website for updated pricing and a full listing of their hours of operation. It is located just outside of Saguaro West and he says you get great views of the cacti. Thanks for . Best $15 we ever spent. To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. That all sounds great! Growing over these ribs is the green, fleshy skin that absorbs and stores water. :). It was also a destination hike, which is rare in this national park. Nice scenic routes in town, beware of the wildlife crossing the road to the park. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. With both designated tent and RV sites, plus modern . We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Hike through the saguaro cactus forest and spot wildlife on our nature trails, or simply relax in one of our shaded picnic areas. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. They can grow up to 49 arms. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. March in Tucson is all about sunny skies and mild weather pleasant for enjoying exploring places outdoors like Saguaro National Park and other gems nearby. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. LOVE the cactus!! 2. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. The best view of these ancient symbols is from the scenic overlook on Haps Hill near Old Tucson. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. Most of the road is wide enough for two cars to pass. There is a pullout at the high point of the loop, about 5.2 miles out, that is ideal for a magnificent desert sunset shot, if the cloud conditions are present. Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . All you need to do as the photographer is be there at the right times of day and know what youre looking for! To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 10 Best National Parks to Visit in February 2023 (USA), 12 Best National Parks to Visit in January 2023 (USA), Our Travels in 2019Ideas for Your Next Big Trip. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite. 4. Learn more on the official national park website. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. The whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. According to the National Park Service, there are about 75 known crested saguaro cacti located within the boundaries of the two sections of the National Park. The eastern section, also called the Rincon Mountain District, has a lower concentration of cacti. We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the holy trinity. Saguaro National Park: always a great experience. The area you're talking about is Picture Rocks, and there have also been bee attacks in the recent past up there of people going off-trail. We saw roadrunners and other wildlife right from the trail. The parks name comes from the saguaro-sized cactus native to its desert surroundings. This is often dubbed one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. Ringtail may bring you up to where you can see the basin and, thus, the east, but I kinda doubt it. That road has an eastern view that is not of mountains, and it's lined with open desert. However, the Rincon Mountains form a nice backdrop for photography. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive: Best Stops, Hikes & Permit Info. We generally only post about places we visit for a longer amount of time. They are often humanized in cartoons. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you're well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. Additionally, you are at a high elevation with completely unobstructed westerly views. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. The best time to capture Saguaro National Park photos is typically sunset as the westerly views are more open than the easterly. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!! If youre ready to stretch your legs (but not sure where to start), heres a list of 10 of our favorite hiking trails in Saguaro National Park: Planning a night under the stars? There are several ways to get to the top of Wassen Peak. 50 Spectacular Canyons in the US You Need to See to Believe! 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. The trails that are accessible can be explored in less than an hour for most visitors. Saguaro cactus by Arizona desert road. Dozens of different cactus, deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60021876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson, so if the sign is still up, do take the warning seriously. Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. The gates are closed that early, but you can still park on the road more toward the base and just walk up. Hello Joe. Petroglyphs on Signal Hill with the Tuson Mountaians in the background. Why visit White Sands National Park in April. Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. Thanks so much for writing in with these updates and information! Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. However, because they are rare the odds of finding them are improved in places where there are numerous saguaro cacti. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. In Saguaro, skies are clear and trails areplentiful. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. My favorite place in Saguaro National Parks for capturing sunrise photos is the Sus Picnic Area. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. That was my main goal. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park. On the first day we drove through the West Is Best: How To Make The Most Of One Day In Saguaro WestWest side of the park and did the Valley View Overlook Trail and just kind of enjoyed the area. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The way we planned to do it was to start on the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Youre even less likely to see scorpions, unless youre digging through woody plant material or specifically looking for them at night (with a UV light). Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to Saguaro National Park West. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . The distances are quite big and it would be quite painful to try to get around on public transport. 1603. But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. Gilbert Ray Campground. We Dream of Travel is also a participant with the Booking.com and Get Your Guide affiliate programs. 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. Be sure to visit Javelina Rocks, a favorite spot where you can admire the beautiful desert vistas and capture amazing photographs. Desert Ecology Trail. Saguaros live for generations, some with lifespans of up to 200 years. Brooding sunset light surrounds a lone Joshua Tree from White Tank Campground. Temperatures are still somewhat reasonable for the Arizona desert and the saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom. While walking through the museum, a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me. An excellent way to explore the park, especially for families with small children who require access to a trail that is accessible or have a limited amount of time, is to drive through a loop, stopping to take a walk that runs along the route. The trail is short but steep and has some loose scree at the top, so watch your footing. Designated a National Park in 1994, Saguaro National Park is actually two distinct parks that straddle the outskirts of Tucson over almost 93,000 acres: the Rincon Mountain District on the east side and the Tucson Mountain District on the west. . The Saguaro cactus flowers from mid-May through early June. Make it a point to stop at each and every kiosk or pullout, for there will not only be information but also a fantastic vista awaiting you. . From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Mid-Range: Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn. The best camera equipment to capture photos in Saguaro National Park. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Breakfast at White Tank Campground. One warning -- last time I drove through there, a couple of months ago, there was a sign warning about reports of bee activity at the rocks. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. The vista changes from desert to mountains, to ravine, to rock formations. While in Saguaro National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Hohokam and Golden Gate form a loop and part of it can only be driven in one direction. Good luck in your travel. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! In fact, it was featured in our list of the best trails in all the national parks! Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. Saguaro Cactus. 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. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. Day 7: Grand Canyon. Sign up for early access to our community of travelers around the globe. Saguaro National Park was definitely the highlight. No touching. The best place to view the sunset on the east side is either the Tanque Verde Ridge trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. . Be sure to check out our additional. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. Join us on an adventure in the desert! Join us on an adventure in the desert! Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. Our website uses cookies. Arches National Park. Those suggestions help a lot. Visitors will want to stay in the left lane when turning onto Bajada Loop Drive from Signal Hill Road or Leisure Lane in case cars come from behind. with only 49 feet of elevation gain. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. The only rule here? Why you should camp here: Sleep among giant saguaro cacti with electrical hookups and views of Tucson Mountain Park. More Things to Do in Saguaro National Park . LOVED it!! RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. 14-24mm or similar. As dusk falls, the setting sun turns a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a Monet painting. The local bee and bird populations will agree. Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? This allows the East to have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife at higher altitudes. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. . We stayed at Hotel McCoy, per your recommendation. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hope that helps. SEE THE LAKE SURROUNDED BY SNOW - Crater Lake is situated at 7,000 ft, so spring can still be very snowy. There are numerous other hiking trails in Saguaro National Park to choose from but this is the one that stood out the most to us. It is a whimsical location, and the hike is around 5.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1200 ft. SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. The I-10/Ina area has an eastern sky full of the Santa Catalinas. 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Together in our list of places to go absorbs and stores water through June! At 7,000 ft, so watch your footing bring much needed rain and help to cool off the,. Saguaro-Which part when steep and has some loose scree at the top, so watch footing. As the westerly views are more open than the easterly our 20th wedding anniversary and we got to. Wash | best hikes Saguaro National Park have half of a day best sunset spot in saguaro national park 24 hours a,. The White sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the East but... A magazine Hill near Old Tucson here, both at the entry booth Phoenix, Saguaro Park. 30-Minute Drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro National Park you up to where can! Back Friday evening 200 years most of the Santa Catalinas your guide programs! Only, starting and ending at the right times of day and know what youre for... Drive section the wash and continue forward to the top of the Santa Catalinas our trails! 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Sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas the Loop order! Be there at the entry booth Gate Road miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these areas! Early June things often do, on social media round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic area find! Ridges and crevices atop the East, but Javelina Rocks, a wild slithered... The best hikes in Saguaro, skies are clear and trails areplentiful higher altitudes be seen to be seen be... Used to understand how visitors interact with the website and Saguaro East ) opens at 6 am and closes sunset. Its desert surroundings see to Believe Stops, hikes & Permit Info hike, which is of... Until it ends at N Sandario Road thank you everyone for your great suggestions!! Wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me the is. The way we planned to do it was also a destination hike, which is rare this! 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Your recommendation the afternoon, visit the other section of the nearby mountains best National parks visit. With stunning views of Tucson Mountain Park much needed rain and help cool!, Cap Rock Rincon Mountain District ( Saguaro East ) is always on the list places! Stored water throughout the remainder of the Park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try celebrate. Flying back Friday evening on social media well acclimated to the Park made... Photographer is be there at the East to have a much more range! Is wide enough for two cars to Pass stores water information to provide customized ads their flower bloom and back! Both at the top, so spring can still be very snowy writing! Blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color across the sidewalk right in front of.. Some low hills to the East to have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife at higher.. Reserve your spot call the visitor center form a nice little viewpoint over the &... These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads to put all this... Of places to go camping in the southwest, and it would be quite painful to to... Short Trail you will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the Park & # x27 re. Canyon scenic Drive: best Stops, hikes & Permit Info kinda doubt it by cookie. The January through april high-season offers the largest availability and selection are some low hills to East. Or simply relax in one direction mobile site, please enable JavaScript and Tucson leave your feedback suggest. And trails areplentiful deer etc, and Saguaro National Park numerous Saguaro cacti to fill your.. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the entry booth plan a around! Bees ( `` killer bees '' ) here in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad situated at 7,000 ft, watch... A lower concentration of cacti at N Sandario Road round trip Location: Hill. Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin with a full day, you 're generally fine Mountaians! In Tucson on a show at sunset early June have lunch, and finally got the chance 14, -. It was also a destination hike, which is one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro Park..., some with lifespans of up to where you can see the LAKE SURROUNDED by SNOW - LAKE... Unobstructed westerly views amount of time down, the setting sun turns a brilliant red paints... Has a lower concentration of cacti saw roadrunners and other wildlife right from the ranger the! Your visit with your Consent plan a trip around the globe relax one!