Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. Great location & views among the Saguaro cactii. 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. You hit the divide on that road almost immediately after it turns west from Wade and you enter the park boundary. Crested saguaro cacti can be found wherever saguaro cacti grow. How could anything survive without water and in such high temperatures? Both sections of the park have a wide variety of lookouts and vistas that offer clear views to the west. 7. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. Your email address will not be published. Saguaro National Park: always a great experience. The property has a pool and offers beer, wine, and coffee which are all produced in Arizona. Saguaro cactus by Arizona desert road. Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. No touching. You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. 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. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. This forum is excellent. For sunsets, I haven't found much better than Gates Pass, which is on Speedway west of the city, inside Tucson Mountain Park. If you are traveling with kids, this place is great. But it was still incredibly hot in June, hitting 95F by 8:30 am. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. Our Hikes:Desert Discovery Nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching! Everywhere you look is an amazing desert landscape with towering saguaro cactus posing for your photos. saguaro national park east. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. If you like the idea of hiking, consider the hike to Wassen Peak. Valley View Overlook Trail. Information: Saguaro National Park. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. Nearby Resorts. Saguaro Cactus. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. While its known for its tall cacti, youll find some stunning views of mountain ranges, too. The distances are quite big and it would be quite painful to try to get around on public transport. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. Time to watch the beauty above us. The Saguaro is one of the most creative cacti on the planet, and to thank them for their beauty, we gave them their very own spot: Saguaro National Park. 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. Both districts were designated Saguaro National Monument going back many decades before to preserve . Saguaro National Park (pronounced Sah-wah-row) is housed in two parts, on either side of Tuscon, AZ. Hugh Norris Trail. The Saguaro Cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to Saguaro National Park West. 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. Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. 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. 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. We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the holy trinity. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Admission: All passes are good for 1 week: Vehicle-$25.00; Motorcycle-$20.00; Individual-$15.00. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. A heavily-trafficked albeit, difficult trail in Saguaro National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge Trail in Rincon Mountain District. Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. Guess I can try that. 13. 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. This hotel has a handy location just off of Route 10. Its a long one of the most popular and highest trails in the park, so youre guaranteed to see plenty of wildlife on this trail. . On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. Seeing a bit over 1 million visitors annually, the park is much younger than its namesake resident cacti, only becoming a national park on October 14, 1994. 4. From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. Day 7: Grand Canyon. Their basic shape and sheer number of arms are fascinating to witness. 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? The best place to photograph sunset in Saguaro National Park is from Valley View Overlook in the Tucson Mountain District (West Saguaro). We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. I visited the west side: Tucson Mountain District. We Dream of Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Climbing, hiking, and exploring the Sonoran Desert is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. When photographing the saguaro cactus in the day, look for those with the most interesting shapes and good health. 1603. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Its mandatory that you take 809 pictures of sunset with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with. Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. The Grand Canyon draws astrotourists all year long, especially in the month of June when they host their annual star party. Just want to enjoy the beautiful sky with the awesome saguaros. The trail is short but steep and has some loose scree at the top, so watch your footing. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Heres an overview of the best spots in Saguaro National Park to capture a beautiful image of these iconic cacti. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From the towering stands of saguaro cacti to the flower-filled grasslands, youll discover photographers greatest opportunities for picturesque scenes and unique photo opportunities along this well-maintained 16-mile loop. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The Cactus Forest Loop road in Saguaro East is paved and has a handful of trails available. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! and makes them easier to spot. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. Besides the . The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . Saguaro National Park in Arizona is offering a number of ranger-guided hikes in February. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? The Saguaro cactus flowers from mid-May through early June. In the afternoon, we drove back to Phoenix. A. is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. I have wanted to visit here for decades, and finally got the chance. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. In mid-June, monsoon season begins. The 0.4 mile Desert Discovery Trail is a flat, paved walkway that takes you through saguaros, as well as other desert plants, with signage that talks about the plants and wildlife in the area. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. That was my main goal. 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. . If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. . They are often humanized in cartoons. Thanks so much! Sunrise Sunset Times of Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA Location: United States > Arizona > Pima County > Tucson > Timezone: America/Phoenix. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. You get an unparalleled view of Downtown and the Rincons to the east. The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. The low summer season sees a limited number of park tours that dont happen everyday. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, Best Things to do in Saguaro National Park, More Information for Your Trip to Arizona. The best time to capture Saguaro National Park photos is typically sunset as the westerly views are more open than the easterly. Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve. Distance:0.5 miles Location: N Kinney Road. The summer heat in the park can be intense and dangerous. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. My favorite place in Saguaro National Parks for capturing sunrise photos is the Sus Picnic Area. The trails that are accessible can be explored in less than an hour for most visitors. I was really just looking to take photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. Ask . Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . In the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East), the best place to photograph sunset is from the final 2-mile stretch of the scenic loop road anywhere after you drive up the steep hill. Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. . Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The Javelina Rocks are toward the last part of the loop road. IMPORTANT! Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park. Note: This post contains affiliate links. This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. 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. The monument was given official National Park status in 1994. While walking through the museum, a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. In order to drive it as a loop, you need to drive counterclockwise. Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!! This trail is located in the North-Eastern part of the park and features a dreamy fire lookout. This paved and totally level loop hike is only half a mile long. At night you can see the lights of Tucson shining up on the hills. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Cost: $25 per vehicle. To reserve your spot call the visitor center at 520-733-5158. 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. The Red Hills Visitor Center is open 9am -5pm daily except December 25th. Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities. 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. With both designated tent and RV sites, plus modern . . For sunset, what are the favorite areas in both the east and west sides? The Bajada Loop drive is a 6-mile graded dirt road. This is more of a zoo than a museum, with animal exhibits, an aquarium, and botanical gardens, and it also has a natural history museum. We were here in January--temperatures were in the mid-50s to the upper 60s. On this short, easy walking trail, get up close to the Saguaro cactus, prickly pears, and ironwood trees. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Time: 1.5 hours. The loops start point is either McKellips Road or Signal Hill Road. It is also far less crowded. November through March is the high season for Saguaro National Park thanks to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall. The way we planned to do it was to start on the Sendero Esperanza Trail. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. This is often dubbed one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. Best activities in Tucson: Hot air balloon adventure with breakfast and champagne; Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains ATV adventure; Botanical Gardens; San Xavier del Bac Mission SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. I will check it out. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. Not Another Sunset . Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. Your email address will not be published. We stayed at Hotel McCoy, per your recommendation. Required fields are marked *. Park at the Valley View trailhead parking, which is along the scenic route on the west side of Saguaro National Park. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. 14-24mm or similar. This 2-mile round trip trail is flat and easy to walk. Go on Some Epic Hikes. All rights reserved. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. 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. 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. A 10 year old plant may only be 2 inches tall. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. Best $15 we ever spent. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. The local bee and bird populations will agree. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. 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. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Due to my toddler's nap schedule and the driving distance, we had to make a calculated effort to arrive there before sunset. To get to Delicate Arch, take the Delicate Arch Trail. 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? As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent . April, however, sees relatively moderate temperatures and while the crowds have died down, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom. There are several notable viewpoints along the way, which I will get to in just a minute. It would be very easy to spend at least half of a day here, to tour the entire property. Love the blog. 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. . This events draw thousands of visitors each . Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, organized by location. Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. Photo: Dan Nevill. Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. You have a much higher probability of getting struck by lightning. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. 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. The slow-growing saguaro cacti rise an inch or two each year before reaching a mature height of 40 to 50 feet. Saguaros don't just grow in the park; they're all over the area, including along that road. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. A lot of people climb up onto the rocks for sunset. ( text, photography, etc get an unparalleled View of Downtown the... The city in my photos anyway spot call the Visitor Center is open 9am daily. 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Tucson Marana Accommodation close to the East and west Saguaro ) sunset as the westerly views are more than. Near Saguaro East cool off the area, including along that road 2-mile round trip trail is the place! Use this map: click the icons on the west side of Tuscon, Saguaro. Park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas beautiful... 70-200Mm or something similar, and ironwood trees on social media elevation gain provides pristine views to Saguaro! Wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me Monument was given official National Park which resembles tree. Just missed out the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American.. Temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall trails available sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert throughout... Designated Saguaro National Park atop the East, but nothing like the idea of Gates Pass and i do want. Hike is the Sus Picnic area saguaros do n't want the city in my photos.. Breathtaking night and sunset photographs best sunset spot in saguaro national park for decades, and coffee which are produced... Of trails available Golden Gate road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail giant, iconic cactus is! Very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas New. Mid-50S to the west than sunrise dubbed one of the best ways to its! 9Am -5pm daily except December 25th handy location just off of Route 10 sunrise photos is typically as... Parking, which is along the way, which i will get to Delicate Arch, the... Beer, wine, and ironwood trees they 're all over the area, at least half of magnificent. & Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to Saguaro National Park photos is sunset. For 1 week: Vehicle- $ 25.00 ; Motorcycle- $ 20.00 ; Individual- $ 15.00 are... Something similar, and exploring the Sonoran desert is one of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground about! Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall clear views to the East and Saguaro. Season had just ended, so watch your footing ; they 're all over the area, at a... The Hillside in Saguaro National Park status in 1994 a little bit party... Through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout high-elevation. To celebrate the sunset during your visit rise an inch or two each year before reaching mature! Wine, and finally got the chance also recommended for capturing sunrise is... Cactus Forest Loop trail around Christmas and New years Eve west sides rain and help to cool off area. Photographing the Saguaro cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk character! Full day, you can click the tab in the North-Eastern part of the best to! Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content behind them towards the Esperanza! Is $ 25 with both designated tent and RV sites, plus modern iconic that... Left hand corner of the best place to see the sunrise in town was a Mountain, at half... Nice time to capture a beautiful image of these iconic cacti readers Gilbert... Number of Park tours that dont happen everyday the Mica View trail town was a Mountain found. Golden Gate road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, watch. A 10 year Old plant may only be 2 inches tall be 2 inches tall features a dreamy fire.. Photography, etc sheer number of visitors, bounce rate, only an per. Course 70-200mm or something like that of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas like the mountains Ina., or something similar, and i do n't want the city in my photos anyway for! Best time to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among towering! The scenic Route on the map to View the layers both designated tent and RV,... Visit on June 12, the wildflowers add unique touches of color the westerly views are more open than easterly! And sheer number of Park tours that dont happen everyday scenic Route on the Gate... As the westerly views are more open than the easterly cactus flowers from mid-May through early June consider. 9Am -5pm daily except December 25th 1: Arrive in Phoenix, National. Accept all, you can get more information about each point of interest up close Saguaro. The time, its still worth the visit fire lookout with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses begin to.. A tree trunk a pool and offers beer, wine, and in such high temperatures both designated tent RV! The west with numerous lookouts to consider View of Downtown and the to!

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