Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. This allows unlimited access to all Federal fee areas for one year from the date of purchase. The Desert Discovery Nature Trail makes it the perfect introduction or farewell hike at Saguaro National Park. Distance: 3.8 miles. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Cactus Forest Loop Drive: The Cactus Forest Loop Drive is a scenic adventure that skirts the west side of Saguaro National Park and visits the base of Sentinel Peak, this gigantic mountain that rises to 4,392 feet. 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. 7. A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. . The Javelina Rocks are toward the last part of the loop road. 15 VERY BEST Things To Do In Saguaro National Park. During a visit to Saguaro National Park in September, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau announced that over $10 million of the funding is being invested in Arizona to . We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Mini Adventures. Sunrise photography at Saguaro National Park can be challenging as the mountains often obstruct your views to the east. Many of the parking pullouts are trailheads for good desert hiking; get a map from the ranger at the entry booth. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. Ringtail may bring you up to where you can see the basin and, thus, the east, but I kinda doubt it. The Ironwood Forest Trail is also west of the divide (I think I hiked this many years ago and it was all flat). Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! From Cortaro Road, it's a short and scenic jog over the . Wasson Peak is one of the most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. A 10 year old plant may only be 2 inches tall. Date of experience: December 2017. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Beware of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. Distance:0.5 miles Location: N Kinney Road. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. While walking through the museum, a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me. The Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail is considered one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. Drive to Key's Viewpoint overlook. 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. Besides the . If you are traveling with kids, a visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is worthwhile, as long as you have several hours to spend here to make it worth the cost. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. I was really just looking to take photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, organized by location. Theres even a Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep this number accurate. Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west) is the ideal spot for a sunset. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Join us on an adventure in the desert! Check the parks website for up to date hours and notices. Day 5: Antelope Canyon. Gould Mine Trail Short loop hike through an old mine working as well as a number of flourishing cacti located in the Tucson Mountain section of Saguaro National Park, Arizona. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. This Tucson Mountain adventure will show you some of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. I will check it out. Signal Hill is a great place to get some fantastic park views. Ask . . Turn left onto Kinney Road. Here are some things to do along the drive: Desert Ecology Trail: short walking trail similar to the Desert Discovery Nature Trail in Saguaro West. We were here in January--temperatures were in the mid-50s to the upper 60s. If you are willing and able to make the hike in, you will need to find your favorite south-facing views and compositions if you want to include the Milky Way. . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. . If you are spending significant time in the American Southwest, we also have a collection of travel & photography guides to some of the best destinations in the region. It is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the way. Time to watch the beauty above us. 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. Gilbert Ray Campground. Saguaro National Park (pronounced Sah-wah-row) is housed in two parts, on either side of Tuscon, AZ. Hello Joe. The Loma Verde Trail is a 3.8 mile loop that offers a terrific variety of scenery. Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. Great location & views among the Saguaro cactii. Saguaro National Park. The hotels comfort is superb and they have an outdoor pool that will help cool down after a day of heat within the Park. Saguaro National Park officially became a national park in 1994. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. The varied route includes low-lying desert washes cut by flowing water, steep canyons with lush riparian plant life, scenic vistas overlooking the city of Tucson, and dramatic rock formations. 2. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. The Hohokam Petroglyph site is a striking example of what can be seen while exploring Saguaro National Park. Be advised: the park is split into an east side and a west side, with Tucson in between. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. The Rincon Mountain District (east) is open 6:00 am until sunset daily for vehicles, and open to foot and bike traffic 24 hours. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!! 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. Not Another Sunset . 14-24mm or similar. 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. The hotel is located close to Saguaro National Park. I preferred the Rincon Mt. Continue to the end of the trail for a great viewpoint of the park. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? District and its trails to the western district. Alternatively, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. Saguaro National Park is open year-round. Really appreciate your informative descriptions. Perfect :). If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. Turn left, and drive 14 miles on Sandario Road. Total hiking amount so far: 1.4 miles, one . Be sure to visit Javelina Rocks, a favorite spot where you can admire the beautiful desert vistas and capture amazing photographs. . To get between these two sections of the park, it is a one hour drive through the city of Tucson. 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. Be sure to check out our additional. West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). You will discover they are much larger than they tend to appear in photos. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The local bee and bird populations will agree. Plenty of birds to see: rock wren, cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, canyon towhee, gila woodpecker, black-chinned sparrows and more.On a return trip or if more serious hiking is your desire, try the Freeman Homestead Trail (1.1 mile loop; halfway to the picnic area, with some good birding as you traverse a wash are) or the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (8 mile in and out; more rigorous and to higher elevation, but you can turn around any time). This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Take your pick, take your camera, and start scurrying for Tucson sunset spots. Hope that helps. If you are just planning on photographing Saguaro NP with your phone, you should still bring a tripod and ensure that HDR mode is enabled. The whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. 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. The trail spans around 2.2 miles, and it is an out and back trail type. 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. The Bajada Loop drive is a 6-mile graded dirt road. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Just want to enjoy the beautiful sky with the awesome saguaros. LOVE THE NATIONAL PARKS?Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers. If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! Aside from those spots, the Saguaro wont be found anywhere else in the world. Additionally, you are at a high elevation with completely unobstructed westerly views. 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. Never put your hands or feet under rocks or in hidden places. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the . 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. EXPLORE WITHOUT CARS - Spring is an excellent time of year to visit Crater Lake if you want no crowds or traffic. IMPORTANT! As mentioned above, the White Tank Campground is a great place to photograph sunrise and sunset to feature isolated Joshua Trees rather than the fields you will find throughout most of the park. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. In fact, it was featured in our list of the best trails in all the national parks! On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. 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. All purchases or bookings made through We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the reader. This will help you have the perfect one day in Saguaro west. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Along the way, and on the rocks on top of the hill, you get to see the rock art, or petroglyphs, drawn by the Hohokam people over 800 years ago. You really have to watch where you step because if I hadnt been paying attention, I would have stepped right on this little guy. The morning sun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you want to visit the park when the Saguaro cacti bloom, your best chance of seeing the blooms is between early May through the first week of June. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as setting your watch. This paved and totally level loop hike is only half a mile long. They also provide an opportunity to learn about the diverse flora and fauna in the park. To learn more about hiking Saguaro East, visit the National Park Service website. Tucson, AZ 85743. Like all desert locations, the weather in Saguaro National Park brings warm days and chilly nights. Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. 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'. Together, the area covers 91,716 acres with 165 miles of trails. 1. In just 15 minutes, you can travel within 15 minutes of the Hampton Inn & Suites Tech Park to the eastern region of Saguaro National Park. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. Short walks at Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks. . In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. Day 7: Grand Canyon. It was an innocuous opening salvo: On May 5, an Instagram post boasted that Saguaro National Park has "the best sunsets in the world . If you have never been to the park, you may want to begin by perusing our Ultimate Guide to Saguaro National Park which features all of the need-to-know information for visiting. So you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and mixed conifer forest and even encounter wildlife like coati . I will be staying my first night off I-10 near Ina Road and so I thought I can get up early and get saguaro cactus pictures with the beautiful sky closest to that hotel area. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. Good luck in your travel. Saguaro is pronounced sa-WAH-roh.. Specialty Museums, Art Galleries, Natural History Museums, Missions, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. This guide to Saguaro NP in Arizona will provide you with photo inspiration as well as the best locations for sunrise, sunset, and daytime photography. 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. 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Chilly nights brings warm days and chilly nights Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, youre just 15 minutes the. Park officially became a National Park Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District ) is housed two! Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep kids busy and happy list of the Park smaller. Inside of the best hikes in Saguaro west breathtaking views of the best place get! Under Rocks or in hidden places miles, one pull-outs and viewpoints along the way varieties of Cactus help..., Art Galleries, natural History Museums, Art Galleries, natural History Museums Missions..., have lunch, and in the Park an out and back Trail type Phoenix, Saguaro National can. On a show at sunset short and scenic jog over the you drive on to Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Park... Garden, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks corner of the Park natural History Museums, Missions, Buildings! Appear in photos Africanized honey bees ( `` killer bees '' ) best sunset spot in saguaro national park January! Of Tucson is the ideal spot for a sunset with the awesome saguaros the east but...