Established
1994
Size
92,126 acres
Visitors / yr
946K
Entrance
$25
Best season
October through April
Nearest airport
TUS Tucson International
01
Why Saguaro is worth the trip
Arizona · Established 1994
Saguaro exists to protect a single plant that turns out to be a whole world. The giant saguaro grows naturally only in the Sonoran Desert, takes decades to sprout its first arm, and can stand 40 feet tall over a two-century life. Gila woodpeckers carve apartments in its trunk, hawks nest in its arms, and in May and June its white blooms, Arizona's state flower, open at night for the bats.
The park splits into two districts bookending Tucson. The western Tucson Mountain District has the denser cactus forest and the signature sunsets; the eastern Rincon District runs bigger and higher, climbing into pine country for backpackers. Do the Bajada Loop Drive in the last hour of light, when a thousand silhouetted saguaros make the desert read like handwriting. October through April, always. Summer belongs to the cactus.
Start with our full Saguaro guide, then use the planning below.
02
Top things to do in Saguaro
Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.
Start here
15 Things to Do in Saguaro National Park
Read the guide
01
Known for
Saguaro cactus forest
02
Known for
Sonoran Desert ecology
03
Known for
Rincon Mountain wilderness
04
Known for
Spring cactus blooms
03
Best hikes in Saguaro
The trails that define the park, with the distance and elevation numbers that decide your day.
1
Loma Verde Trail
A 3.8 mile loop with a terrific variety of desert scenery.
2
Wasson Peak
Go before sunrise for panoramic views of desert and mountains.
3
Desert Discovery Trail
A paved quarter mile loop through the Sonoran Desert, open to all abilities.
4
King Canyon / Gould Mine Loop
A loop through prime saguaro country with some rocky climbing.
5
Freeman Homestead Trail
An easy one mile loop with close up desert views.
Before you go
Get the Saguaro heads-up
Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Saguaro guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.
04
Plan your trip
Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Saguaro.
Where to stay
Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.
- Tucson, AZGateway town
- Manning Camp 6 sites
- Grass Shack In the park
Maps & guides
Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass
What to bring
Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.
-
Sun HatFull-brim coverage for exposed trails with zero shade. View on REI
-
Water BottlesCarry at least 2 liters. More in desert heat. View on REI
-
Hiking BootsAnkle support and grip for rocky, uneven terrain. View on REI
-
Sun-Protective ShirtUPF 50+ fabric keeps you cool and blocks UV all day. View on REI
Getting there
- TUS Tucson International 20 mi
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor 115 mi
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.
Saguaro map
VC Visitor Center
CG Campground
Nearby Park
05
When to go
Loading weather...
Month-by-Month Conditions
Tap any month for details
Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan Best
65°
41°
Heavy
Open
Feb Best
68°
43°
Heavy
Open
Mar Best
74°
48°
Peak
Open
Apr Best
82°
54°
Heavy
Open
May
91°
62°
Moderate
Open
Jun
101°
72°
Light
Open
Jul
100°
74°
Light
Open
Aug
98°
73°
Light
Open
Sep
94°
68°
Light
Open
Oct Best
86°
59°
Light
Open
Nov Best
75°
48°
Moderate
Open
Dec Best
65°
41°
Heavy
Open
Best months to visit
Crowd level (low to peak)
Watch our film
Saguaro National Park 8K Arizona
Weeks in the Sonoran Desert with Visit Tucson chasing those giant saguaros at golden hour. We shot in November when the weather plays nice and the sunsets do all the work. The cactus forests at dusk are unreal.
Browse all our national park films
07
Parks near Saguaro
Within reach if you are building a longer trip.
Worth protecting
Saguaro belongs to all of us
Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.
Stay in the Loop
Free dispatches on the parks and the policy fights around them, almost every day. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
Threatened Lands Map
Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.
View the Tracker