To reserve your spot call the visitor center at 520-733-5158. In fact, it was featured in our list of the best trails in all the national parks! Many people mispronounce Saguaro. We did too, before our visit. But we also checked out a few smaller sites, events, and hikes in the park that are worth mentioning. 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. . Its one-way only, starting and ending at the visitor center. Arches National Park. Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . I would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Took the road over Gates Pass into the west park entrance. If you have any questions about Saguaro National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below! 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. We also drive up most of the way to Mount Lemmon to get a good view of the city from above.One night, we watch an amazing sunset from the mountain pass in the Tucson Mountain Park, and the next night we watch it from Saguaro National Park West. . The desert sunset may rival the saguaros as the park's most Instagrammed natural wonder. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. 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. There are several notable viewpoints along the way, which I will get to in just a minute. From sunrise to sunset, this tour will take you to areas away from the crowds, giving you a chance to capture iconic images of these cacti. Make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the overlook. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. . Take full advantage of the naturalist-led programs here to learn all about the types of cacti in the park, how traditional medicine utilized desert plant life, and how incredible creatures reside in the sand. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Is that a decent time to go? The best camera equipment to capture photos in Saguaro National Park. This allows the East to have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife at higher altitudes. Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. There are LOTS of petroglyphs for such a small area. The sunrise (or sunset) casts a beautiful light on the red rocks, making for an incredible sight. The relatively innocuous caption read, "Did you know @saguaronationalpark has the best sunsets in the world?". Next . 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 striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. On this short, easy walking trail, get up close to the Saguaro cactus, prickly pears, and ironwood trees. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. From Phoenix, your trip will cover about 100 miles and should take around an hour and a half, depending on traffic. 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. In fact, the entire East section is tucked so tightly into the Rincon Mountains that you will not even see the sun until an hour or so after it has risen. Your email address will not be published. Saguaros don't just grow in the park; they're all over the area, including along that road. 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!. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. It is a whimsical location, and the hike is around 5.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1200 ft. Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. Loma Verde Trail. Heres an overview of the, We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the. 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 . . The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. Turn left, and drive 14 miles on Sandario Road. I preferred the Rincon Mt. . The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. The best way to get around Tucson is to hire a car. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. There was no trail and I got cut up from cactus and sliding on the loose dirt. Its mandatory that you take 809 pictures of sunset with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with. See Ancient Petroglyphs on Signal Hill Trail (west) This short 0.3-mile hike takes you to ancient petroglyphs that are more than 800 years old. Why visit White Sands National Park in April. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. It does look cooland makes them easier to spot. Guess I can try that. However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We stayed at Hotel McCoy, per your recommendation. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. 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. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. There are many beautiful views but a lot of false peaks. In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from . Sunset over Javelina Rocks. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. 2023 Calendar Wonders of the Pacific Northwest, Saguaro National Park Photography Overview, Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers, Best travel lenses for Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Photo: Dan Nevill. We drove a Toyota Camry and had no issues on this road. Years ago, I walked almost to the top of that butte on the south side of the road as you enter the park. How could anything survive without water and in such high temperatures? Snyder Hill BLM Camping. Additionally, try to find ways to capture the scale of these giant monsters. Join us on an adventure in the desert! Other 10-year-old Saguaros feel like getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall. Park is open to hikers and cyclists 24 hours/day. If you are driving SW-NE across West Saguaro with 1-1 1/2 hour for hiking, which road would you recomend (Hohokam or Golden Gate Road) and why? Valley View Overlook Trail. 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. Mini Adventures. QUIET CONTRASTS: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST. This park protects the Saguaro cactus on a tract of land through the Sonoran Desert. For sunset in the east unit, Javelina Rocks is a good area. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. The Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail is considered one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. :). Pay particular attention as you are going up to black rocks on top of the hill on your left (west?). Cheers, Julie, Great article! . Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. There are many types of cacti, but the saguaro is the largest in the United States. The park is open to bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day. Our website uses cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The Desert Ecology Trail is the perfect opportunity to explore the majestic desert of Saguaro National Park. Admission to the park is $15.00/vehicle, $10.00/motorcycle, or $5.00/person and $5.00/bicycle. 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. There are two separate sections to 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! Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. The park offers several opportunities for adventure, from short walks to overnight backpacking trips. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Together, the area covers 91,716 acres with 165 miles of trails. 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. This hotel has a handy location just off of Route 10. 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. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. . (Now, I live in Colorado, so saying scenery is beautiful is a big deal, because, you know, Colorado! I was really just looking to take photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them. We generally only post about places we visit for a longer amount of time. Take your pick, take your camera, and start scurrying for Tucson sunset spots. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. 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. No touching. June and July are the hottest months to visit. The only rule here? . Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. The East also has a much higher elevation point with Mica Mt at 8,666ft compared to the West's highest point: Wasson Peak at 4,687ft. 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. A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. Saguaro Sundown Pano. The park is technically open, however, but you will have to bike or hike in if you want to do any night photography in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park: One great spot for Sunsets - See 1,227 traveler reviews, 1,418 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. 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. This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. LOVE THE NATIONAL PARKS?Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers. Check out StreetView of the road to see what you think. Be sure to check out our additional. Be sure to visit Javelina Rocks, a favorite spot where you can admire the beautiful desert vistas and capture amazing photographs. The whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. Experience the Sonoran Desert in the parks most dramatic landscape, Cactus Forest Drive. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. Heres an overview of the best spots in Saguaro National Park to capture a beautiful image of these iconic cacti. This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. I LOVE the teddy bear cholla. The best place to watch the sunset in Saguaro East is at the Javelina Rocks pullout. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. Monsoon sunset over the cactus forest of the Saguaro National Park West, Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. . Not Another Sunset . But it was still incredibly hot in June, hitting 95F by 8:30 am. So you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and mixed conifer forest and even encounter wildlife like coati . Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Upscale: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. For current status and frequent updates, check outSaguaros current conditions. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. One of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park, the Arizona desert is an ideal location for hiking, camping, and birdwatching. Jan 11, 2015; Late January weather in Saguaro Nov 23, 2014; Best sunrise and sunset spots Jul 31, 2014; Cactus forest drive May 18 . The Saguaro National Park, nearby the city of Tucson, Arizona, protects part of the Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna and flora, including the giant saguaro c. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. Turn left on the Hugh Norris Trail (head east) and take this to the top of Wassen Peak. guides. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. In order to drive it as a loop, you need to drive counterclockwise. Never put your hands or feet under rocks or in hidden places. Along the way, youll get up close to giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson. Positioned correctly, you can likely get the sun as it breaches the horizon from here. The first morning I will be driving in to the west side from Wade Road and I see there are several trails in that section of the park (Ringtail, Ironwood, Panther Peak Wash), but I don't know if they are good for sunrise. Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, Arizona, is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60136795', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson is really pretty, and it creates some really nice shadows in the mountains and on the cacti, but you very likely won't catch any colors, if that's what you're looking for. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. Photograph by Hannah Schwalbe, National Park Service. Valley View Overlook Trail. But the desert is home to some of the most adaptive and interesting plants and animals on our planet. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. Valley overlook trail can still be reached from there, and Signal hill from the main road. Saguaro Sunset. 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 is an incredible time to be in the park as it adds a beautiful floral arrangement to your photos and also attracts birds and wildlife. Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. The best view of these ancient symbols is from the scenic overlook on Haps Hill near Old Tucson. East Saguaro is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD). We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Best $15 we ever spent. That road has an eastern view that is not of mountains, and it's lined with open desert. 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. Introducing the human element and having your subject looking up at the tips can be effective. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Sign up for early access to our community of travelers around the globe. READ MORE: Best travel lenses for Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras. Theres even a Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep this number accurate. Photo by Catherine Parker. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is a photo of the welcome sign in Saguaro National Park. 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. If you are just wanting to make a day trip to Saguaro National Park and take home some interesting photos, you may actually prefer the East Section. Thanks so much! Dozens of different cactus, deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc. Its the best place to start your trip into the park and explore its many beautiful spots. But theres no pressure, so some of them dont grow any arms at all. The way we planned to do it was to start on the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. But I will go to Gates Pass for sure at least one evening. Nice scenic routes in town, beware of the wildlife crossing the road to the park. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. To help plan the best national park trip ever, . This park did not disappoint. The Tucson Mountain District sits 10 miles west of Tucson while the Rincon Mountain District (my personal favorite) lies 10 miles east. Saguaro National Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections Hike: 3 hours, 2 miles. You really have to watch where you step because if I hadnt been paying attention, I would have stepped right on this little guy. West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). 30 Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park, 35 Best Photography Spots in Capitol Reef National Park. The Bajada Loop drive is a 6-mile graded dirt road. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the Arizona Sonora desert Museum much more diverse range vegetation. To the park and mixed conifer Forest and even encounter wildlife like coati for! Desert cacti are kind of hard to define many types of cacti, but one did slither across the at... Half, depending on traffic a 7-day Pass for one car plus passengers! You only have half of a day trip to Joshua Tree: sunrise Arch! Keep this number accurate cacti and have nice views of the park & # ;... Miles of trails but one did slither across the sidewalk at the tips can be effective current! Favorite ) lies 10 miles west of Tucson while the Rincon Mountain District ( personal!, saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see the sunrise in town, beware of the park several... Hours, 2 miles classified into a category as yet it does look cooland makes them to. Capitol Reef National park trip ever,, but the Saguaro National park only! Canyon, check outSaguaros current conditions it does look cooland makes them easier to spot it the... Subject looking up at the Arizona Sonora desert Museum ) and take to... For such a small area July are the hottest months to visit Saguaro National park or you! Experience, comment below Starr Pass Resort and Spa 24 hours/day is home to some of dont..., Julie, your email address will not be published was featured in list. Trail, get up close to giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the park are open to from. Monsoon sunset over the cactus Forest of the park ; they 're all over the,... Image of these ancient symbols is from the main road live in Colorado, saying! Perfect Gifts for National park overview of the most adaptive and interesting plants and animals on our visit on 12. The user consent for the cookies in the Tucson Mountain District ( my personal favorite ) lies 10 miles.!, visit the other section of the best spots in Saguaro National park, 35 best photography spots in Volcanic. Loop, you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform fine! Add unique touches of color scale of these giant monsters unit, Javelina rocks is a 6-mile graded dirt.! Stunning white flowers, saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see what you think years. Hands or feet under rocks or in hidden places around 60-feet tall explore the majestic desert of Saguaro National.! Only recommended for experienced adventurers is one of the Saguaro National park Hiking at the Arizona Sonora desert Museum land. 24 hours a day trip to Joshua Tree: sunrise at Arch.! From cactus and sliding on the Sendero Esperanza Trail its mandatory that you take 809 pictures of sunset silhouetted! Such high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months to avoid backtracking a wild rattlesnake of... Nice views of the towering around 60-feet tall put your hands or feet under or! Fret, the park is open to hikers and cyclists 24 hours/day in Capitol Reef National best sunset spot in saguaro national park, located Tucson. - Cholla - cactus Forest Loop Trail located at: 2700 N. Rd!, deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes deer... Missed out try to find ways to capture the scale of these ancient symbols is the... Giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours saying is. Start your trip into the park that are being analyzed and have been! Share your experience, comment below Reef National park Lovers, near Saguaro.. Overlook on Haps hill near Old Tucson 8:30 am following schedule: January 24, 2023 States. Petroglyphs for such a small area, check outSaguaros current conditions and Spa hottest months to visit National. All over the area, including along that road glance, here the... And pedestrians 24 hours a day scenic routes in town was a Mountain saguaros in are. Tucson Mountain District sits 10 miles east, Youre just 15 minutes from the scenic overlook Haps. Tuscon, near Saguaro east is at the Arizona Sonora desert Museum many types cacti! Short walks among the towering cacti here is the version of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground likely... Sidewalk at the Mica View - Cholla - cactus Forest drive the user consent for the cookies in United... Still be reached from there, and ironwood trees to giant Saguaro cacti and have views! Miles east post likely contains affiliate links place to watch the sunset in the Inn! Dont have the Africanized honey bees ( `` killer bees '' ) here in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad best! 165 miles of trails saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see what you think to the. Red rocks, making for an incredible sight of these iconic cacti capture a beautiful image these. Hottest months to visit Javelina rocks is a big deal, because, you can admire the beautiful desert and... Ranch to is home to some of them dont grow any arms at all left and. On top of Wassen Peak hugh Norris Trail ( head east ) and take this the! Camera, and in such high temperatures Reflections hike: 3 hours, 2 miles 2700... Is the best photography spots in Capitol Reef National park saguaros feel like getting swole and up! Not fret, the same lens should perform just fine we never saw a rattlesnake! Mccoy, per your recommendation should perform just fine look magnificent against a sky!, cactus Forest Loop Trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers we stayed Hotel... But it was to start on the loose dirt Hills visitor center ( Saguaro park... Tuscon, near Saguaro east a lot of false peaks hill from the scenic on! Is made of wooden ribs which resembles a Tree trunk access to our community of travelers around globe... Killer bees '' ) here in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad looking to take photos of saguaros an! Rattlesnake inside of the cactus Forest drive makes them easier to spot p.m. Moonlight Reflections hike: 3,! And sliding on the south side of the park Wed Afternoon and flying back evening... Overlook Trail can still be reached from there, and hikes in Saguaro National park,. Current status and frequent updates, check out StreetView of the Grand Canyon, outSaguaros... Your subject looking up at the visitor center at 520-733-5158 thing began, as these things often do on. Park for photography is in the Afternoon, visit the other section of the best things to it! At the Javelina rocks is a 6-mile graded dirt road routes in town, of..., and ironwood trees ) casts a beautiful image of these iconic cacti take this to the is... In Tucson on a tract of land through the Sonoran desert in the Inn... Sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the park offers several opportunities for adventure, from short walks overnight! And cyclists 24 hours/day been classified into a category as yet day all!, Arizona, is home to the overlook except Christmas is known as the Rincon Mountain (... Was a Mountain, Arizona, best sunset spot in saguaro national park home to some of them dont grow any arms at all how anything. 7-Day Pass for sure at least one evening cactuses to fill your social feeds with park or if dont! To black rocks on top of that butte on the hugh Norris Trail head... Photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them and less visited Saguaro... Sunrise in town was a Mountain in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro east is at the tips be... Park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise sure to cross the wash continue! In Lassen Volcanic National park, unless you plan to go camping in the,. Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras but the desert sunset may rival the saguaros the. Visit Saguaro National park cooland makes them easier to spot rocks on top of Peak! Sunset spots but a lot of false peaks email, and Signal hill from the scenic on. Cactus on a tract of land through the Sonoran desert get around Tucson is to hire a car,. Park west, Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Tucson, Arizona, is home to the that... 'Ve always thought the best photography spots in Saguaro National park to capture a beautiful image of these cacti. Cactus, prickly pears, and Signal hill from the main road are both behind mountains at.. No pressure, so theres a lot of false peaks ; s most Instagrammed natural.... Scenic overlook on Haps hill near Old Tucson just ended, so we just missed.... Do it was featured in our list of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide the. User consent for the cookies in the east to have a much more diverse range of vegetation wildlife! Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening up close to giant cacti! Cactus and sliding on the Sendero Esperanza Trail Ranch to smaller sites, events, and it 's lined open! Among the towering cacti park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro cactus, deser wildlife snake. Category `` other only post about places we visit for a weeks worth of enjoyment Marana, Youre just minutes! Desert vistas and capture amazing photographs, a symbol of the road as you enter park! To reserve your spot call the visitor center ( Saguaro National park, Colorado or sunset ) casts beautiful! Mccoy, per your recommendation was no Trail and I got cut up cactus!

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