Another amazing drive through National Park. With the shutdown we were surprised to be able to drive thru. Just the drive was open. Desert beauty... huge cactuses and the variety of plants. Worth every minute that we were able to walk around the open areas. Saw no wildlife but plenty of footprints and scat. Will be back to be able to access more areas in the future. read more

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In any season but winter, I'd advise visiting early in the day to avoid the heat. We drove about 3o minutes from our hotel in Tucson to visit Saguaro NP. We stopped first at the visitors' center. We had a park pass, but otherwise here was where we'd have paid our fee. We checked in with the help desk to ask about short hikes. I admire the rangers for probably answering the same question a hundred times a day, 5 days a week. There is a loop road within a mile or two of the VC. It is unpaved, but it has 2 nice short hikes along the way. However, you should note: while 80% of the loop is 2-way traffic, the other 20% is NOT! Hence, unless you want to do more than a single pass around the loop, you should enter at the end nearest the VC and proceed CCW around the loop to the other end. We did 2 hikes here. The Signal Hill trail is on the side of the loop furthest from the VC. The Valley View trail is on the leg closer to the VC (but after the point where the road becomes 1-way). The Signal Hill trail is short. It descends from the parking lot down to a wash and then up around a hill. At the base you can see some rocks displaying petroglyphs. When you get to the top, you are quite close to several rocks with large carvings (spiral circles, etc.). There was adequate parking divided into a lower and upper lot. It may get crowded at other times, but when we visited (early) there were spots available. The Valley View trail is a bit longer but is mostly level. It winds through cactuses for a while until it ends at a point which overlooks the land to the west. You get a huge vista from this point, though on the day we went there was a lot of dust in the air which cut down on the view. Parking here was limited, but people just parked along the (1-way) road after the lot filled up. That could add a bit of extra hiking. Neither of these hikes is that strenuous. We spent a bit over 2 hours here, but it would have been a bit shorter if we'd started the loop at the correct end. read more

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Come hike the trails! Come see the cacti! Come take in the natural beauty of the desert! Come see the best views of Tucson! Just bring plenty of water. You're going to need it! read more

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This review is for Saguaro East where you can run into the bigger older saguaro cactus. We visited this park in the early morning, and joined the Big Cactus Walk led by volunteer ranger. The trails here will take you into the valleys via the scenic Cactus Forest Loop Drive. It's one way and will take you around the park to view the giant cacti and other desert life. They are doing some construction at the head of the park, which has an affect on the parking in front of the Rincon Visitor Center, but...if you forgot the visitor center, then drive right in. Consider stopping off to hike the Freeman Homestead Trail, or climb and scramble in the Javelina Rocks. I noticed a few cyclist on the scenic drive, as it is mostly rolling hills. On the day we visited it was beautiful and clear...a sunset here would be nice . Kirk Huelle our guide during the Giant Cactus Walk was very knowledgeable, patient and kind. I will return. Recommended. read more

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National parks are always wonderful to visit. We enjoyed this one just as much. Great historical information.

I really enjoyed exploring Saguaro National Park. I learned all lot about the saguaro and desert in general, as well as about climate and natural disasters. It is not as big as many of the other national parks I have visited but long enough to enjoy and learn a good amount. I was able to let my dog out on the desert ecology trail. I spotted a roadrunner and was even able to follow it along the path for a bit. That was an amazing experience. I was hoping to see a gila monster too but that was probably asking too much. There is a lot of construction going on at this park, so it's dusty and a bit confusing and parking is scarce, but it was still definitely a good visit. read more

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Located about 30 minutes outside of Tucson, accessible mostly by surface streets. Upon entrance to the park you will be met by construction that is currently happening. However, you can still park in the parking lot and enjoy the visitor center. There are bathrooms at the visitor center- use them now! There won't be many restrooms on the loop. Inside you will find expansive views of cactus and breathtaking landscape. Inside awaits interactive experiences and staff who are eager to answer your questions. Our day pass (I think it is good for 7 days) was $25. The ranger and the booth had us paid and on our way quickly. It is a big loop through the parking lot that is all one way traffic until the very end. Speed limit goes down to 5 MPH in many spots and doesn't really go over 20 though. There are many viewpoints to pull over and so many trails. Be so mindful of where you are and take photos of the maps as the trails are not well marked and it is super easy to get turned around and to get lost. You will need lots of water because even on overcast days, it is quite dry and hot. Beautiful cactus and plants are flowering or beginning their spring bloom. Not too crowded on the Sunday afternoon when we were there. We saw many critters while hiking around, including a little lizard. Highly recommend stopping in here. read more

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Gorgeous park with really well maintained trails. The Loma Verde trail isn't too tough yet still gives a good workout. Seeing the variety of plant and animals was a delightful experience. If you have a chance to take the short spur trail to the overlook of the Cactus Forest, I highly recommend you take it! Great views! read more

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So this national Forest is full of saguaros as it should be. While I'm enjoying the view. We are in the desert and it's currently 100° outside so I'm sitting in the car when my son takes his pictures. There's an 8 mile drive one way with pull-outs a long way so you can enjoy looking at this saguaros and pull out every once in a while so you can take photos to your heart delight. For nature lovers this is the great outlook. There are also walking trails. read more

Saguaro National Park - Ocotillo.. with red flowers - Parks Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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One of my former colleagues went to college at the University of Arizona and often spoke fondly of her time in Tucson. She highly recommended Saguaro National Park when I finally got to visit Tucson on a work trip in 2024, and it did not disappoint. I decided to head straight to SNP from the airport on Sunday, and I was baffled when I discovered the park is split in two: East & West SNP on opposite sides of the city. I decided to stop at a local coffeeshop, hoping for some local insight on the differences between East & West SNP, and that effort was completely fruitless. So, I turned to the always reliable AllTrails app instead, where I found recommendations for the perfect hiking trail & scenic drive through the national park that was also near the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (which I visited immediately following my hike). Hiking Trail: Wasson Peak via Kings Canyon, Hugh Norris, and Gould Mine - 10/10 Scenic Drive: W Gates Pass Rd - 10/10 read more

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We hiked the Bridal Veil Falls trail, even on a weekday, parking was at a premium. Be prepared! The trail is well maintained and well signed. If you get lost, you aren't paying attention! There is a lot to see here! read more

One of 63 national parks, and the 21st one that I have been to. It is a nice national park, with a short loop trail to drive through in addition to some trails to walk, a visitor center, etc. We saw a Coyote, some birds, and plenty of flora, saguaro, etc. This is Saguaro National park (East) but there is also another part of the park, referred to as west, about 35-45 minutes away. It has a more dense population of Saguaros and there are some great places nearby like the AZ Sonoran Desert Museum, plus several great hiking trails, gates pass, and other beautiful spots. Definitely worth visiting the west SGNP as well, well worth the drive across town. read more

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The landscape is absolutely breathtaking! Cactus that stretch for miles on end into the distant horizon. They go all the way up the sides of the mountain. From certain spots, you can look out into the valley and see Tucson below. The views you see here are a reminder of the beauty of nature and why it needs to be properly protected and preserved for future generations :) read more

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If your in the area and want to explore desert and cactus this is great. Thanks to to marrying a veteran we get into national parks for life. The cactus are huge and iimpressive and have been on the decline due to years of drought. you check iit Out while you can. Definitely check the national park website before come to see what is closed and alerts. Bring plenty of water, ssunscreen and hat. There are 2 locations in prefer the newer but the older has largest Saguaros. I recommend downloading merlin app to help identify and attract birds. read more

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If you like cactus this is the park for you... located on cactus forest drive because the park service naming game is solid. This park is fairly limited but it has a good scenic drive. Small gift shop/ museum. No 3x tshirts( we are fat, we have disposable income) but that seems to be the norm for the park service. It is convenient to the interstate and a nice side quest if you are in the area read more

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Despite the loose sand shifting under our feet and making every step a workout, my daughter and I got hit with a one-two punch when we reached Saguaro in Tucson: reconnecting with nature and getting one heck of a leg day. It's the kind of place that gives you a unique blend of adventure, hiking, and wildlife spotting (trust me, I had no interest in getting too close to any wildlife). Add in the cultural richness, the colorful cacti, surreal rock formations, and those sweeping panoramic views- and you've got something pretty special. My kid and I soaked it all in. Beautiful landscapes, shared laughs and that satisfying soreness that reminded us just how much ground we covered together. read more

Whenever visiting a new area, I always do my research so that I can get the most our of my traveling by emerse myself in the culture. Saguaro National Park is a must se, even for locals. Day hikes, biking, deriving trails... beautiful views of flora, fauna, and wildlife... genuinely something for everyone at every age. The gift shop was well stocked with friendly people. read more

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Go! Just go. If you find yourself near and are able to go, this is such a great site to experience. There is a driving loop that takes you throughout all these amazing cacti with frequent pull outs for taking pictures. There are hiking trails, biking trails, bike tours as some of the many ways to experience this park. What a unique ecosystem. It is hard to describe the beauty. I was in awe of the size of these giants. I learned that if one has not yet grown "arms" but has reached its height, it is already 60-70 years old. The staff in the visitor center provided all the info needed. There is a parking lot at the visitor center, but most folks are driving through. It is 15mph in the park. Even though there were many folks at the visitor center getting information, the park itself never felt crowded. read more

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I'm a big fan of the National Park Service and I finally made it to one of my bucket list items. I've been to a number of NPS parks and monuments and this was my 34th. Yay. So, it's the desert with lots of Saguaro and other cacti of various types and species. It's a very cool landscape and environment, definitely so different from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are a couple of driving loops and we took one of those. They're short, but you definitely should them if you have the time and there are hiking trailheads along the way. My visit was in December, the temps were in the low 70's, it was definitely ideal and delightful. read more

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Extremely upset. We used to go here frequently and even attended events here. Had an annual pass. This week, my mom came in from out of town. She drove 8 hours. While I was working she wanted to go check out a visitors center and get souvenirs, maybe hit a trail. She talked to someone at the gate area, asking how she can get to the visitors center. They were extremely rude to her, condescending, and told her she had to pay... to go to the visitors center? She explained that she would be happy to pay to go onto the trail after, but she's gonna spend more money at the center on gifts first. He refused. He also did not allow her in with her dog. My mom is disabled and has an emotional support animal. I am furious that this rude worker not only turned her down to simply see the visitors center which has ALWAYS been open for us in the past we parked and took our friends into the visitors center without any of these problems, but he had absolutely no sense of empathy or wanted to help. If I was with my mom, this absolutely would not have been acceptable. read more

This is a beautiful National Park divided in half by a city that grew more than anyone ever expected. I have only been to the western part of it and that was stunning. The rolling roads take you right up close to saguaros on all sides. The car ride itself is an adventure! If you don't have a park pass you can scan the QR code upon arrival to most of the trailhead parking areas and buy one on your phone. As it is a National park it is pricey (around $30 for a 3-day pass, no other option available). There are many trails to choose from and they all offer gorgeous views of the vast desert. Set off on your adventure here and you won't be disappointed! read more

This was the first national park I visited out west and I can see why the parks on the west side are so much more hyped. Saguaro is absolutely break taking. It is nothing but beautiful views of the dessert mountains and giant cacti. We visited the park and mainly did the driving trails which was good if you did not want to get out in the Arizona heat. read more

Our 35th National Park! We caught the tail end of the cactus blooms at the beginning of June. Most of the flowers were dried and withered. The saguaros are pretty cool looking cacti though! I had hopes of seeing a javelina or even a roadrunner. No such luck. We did see a bunch of lizards. Lots of short trails off the one way drive loops. If you're going in the summer months, make sure you get an early start and bring lots of water! The park rangers advise you not to hike after 10am when it's already triple digits outside. We hit 111 degrees one day! The sun was unrelenting. read more

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I liked the park the sites but I don't think the trails are labeled very clearly. We thought we were on the trail that was 37 mins and maybe we were but it seemed like we hit a dead end but we aren't sure that we actually did lol! I liked the welcome center too. read more

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We aren't avid hikers or outdoors type people. HOWEVER, this is a wonderful experience for anyone. If you like to bike there is a wonderful guided adventure (we kept passing them and it looked awesome)! In order to enter it is $25 per vehicle for a "45 minute drive." However, we spent about 1.5 hours and it was perfect! There are lots of places to pull over and see the sites. And of course nature is beautiful!!!! There is a nice visitors center with lots of shopping, although the parking is difficult and there wasn't soap in the bathroom. BUT, this is a must see if you are in Tucson! read more

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Completely worth it if you are in the area. I am not the biggest nature person, but they have plenty of easy and more difficult trails if you are looking to get out of the car. The drive around the park is easy and scenic so if you have limited mobility you can easily see the beautiful saguaros that line the drive. They are so massive and seeing how expansive the park is and all of the different ways that they grow is beautiful. I would go a little later in the day so the sun is not as strong, the sunset is beautiful and make sure you do layers because the sun gets a little beating when you are doing miles across the park. Pack snacks and plenty of water because there is not really anything within the park for you to get otherwise. Make sure to leave plenty of time beacause it is a drive from the city as well. read more

Highly recommend hiking at any of the trails at either park. It is always a new experience even when I hike the same trail before. Best time to go is October through March when the weather is nice. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat to protect your head. read more

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Perfect time of year to check out this national park is the month of March! Very beautiful scenery and simple hiking trails. read more

Saguaro National Park - Parks Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Visitng family in Tucson with my adult kids. I wasn't aware there was a National Park nearby. We stopped at the main visitors center where we grabbed some swag before checking out the park. The folks in the visitor's center were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They outlined some great trails and made comments on areas worth of pictures. I believe we did the Wildhorse, Garwood, Carillo trails totalling around 4-5 miles. Some of the hiking was challenging but that's when we went a bit off trail for better views. Otherwise it was a nice leisurely hike with a total elevation around 400 ft. Beautiful view of the downtown area with beautiful Saguaro cactus as far as the eye can see. Weather was around 70F which was perfect. My daughter and her husband went back later and saw a couple of coyotes wandering read more

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8 mile loop drive. Not breathtaking and no wildlife visible due to high temps. Scenery unchanging maybe better if you walk the trails. Doc spotted 2 road runners so far. She played the cars music which added specialness to the loop drive. Small visitor center and gift shop. Bought a copper like cactus Xmas decoration, cooling neck scarf, prickly pear gummies for little sweetie and plastic lizard for Bud. Couldn't resist the 99 cents disposable buffalo bag and a uv50 hat. The cactus flowers were pretty. read more

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We were in town for a week and had a great time hiking in both the East and West sides of the park. We loved the wide range of trails from easy walks on the desert floor among the cacti to more challenging climbs up the mountains. We alternated days of harder vs easier hikes to keep our midwestern selves from getting too sore. The trails off the Mica View picnic area on the east side are easy and offer great opportunities to see the saguaros and other cacti up close. For our bigger hikes we enjoyed the Hugh Norris trail on the west side which climbs pretty rapidly via some stairs but requires no technical skill. The views are amazing and worth the effort. We also did a longer trail from the Douglas Springs trailhead on the east side. Again, the views were worth the climb! Bring hiking poles, wear good boots and bring lots of water as there is no water anywhere other than the visitor center. Volunteers at both the east and west visitor centers were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the trails. We really enjoyed our time here and the break from the cold! February was lovely here with highs in the 70's. We definitely want to come back! read more

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This review is for Gould Mine which was a ~2.4 miles round trip that took ~1 hours to complete. Started the loop by going clockwise. Trail was rocky with some inclines. Great views of the distant mountains and saguaro cactus! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/aM-mnBSr_0A read more

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Nice 8 mile drive through the park to see the different cacti. You can make stops and take pictures along the way. I saw a few cyclists who were adventurous enough to bike through the park. If you want to do one thing in Tucson, I would recommend this excursion. read more

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Another NPS checked off the list! So happy to be able to finally visit this park, and it's crazy that it's literally minutes away from the city! Driving in is beautiful. Yes, you see Saguaros all over the city, but it's nothing quite like when you drive into this national park. The cost of admission is $25, and you pay it when you get to the visitor's center. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, you can get in without paying. We had a very short time to enjoy this park, so we were only able to enjoy the Valley View Overlook trail and Signal Hill Petroglyphs. We did the Bajada Loop drive as well, which is the loop you need to drive through in order to get to these trails. It's a dirt road, but a regular car can drive through it as it is maintained! read more

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What a wonderful experience coming here. Not small, not terribly large, yet just right with many cactuses to see and lots of wonderful trails. We came in winter and it was awesome 65F and overcast skies. Ideal for hiking and sight seeing. Saguaro National Park features what is a typical Sonoran Desert nature. Saguaro cactuses some 30+ feet tall! Prickle pear cactuses that can be used to make jelly or sweeteners. And much much more! read more

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Living just 15 minutes away from Saguaro National Park (East) AND having a Golden Access Pass are a winning combo for me. Sometimes we'll drive through after dinner to catch the sunset or I'll show up at sunrise to enjoy the peaceful stillness of the desert as it comes to life. I can't say enough good things about the park. If you're in the area or planning a visit to Tucson, put it on your list of things to check out. read more

Absolutely incredible! Since hiking wasn't really on my radar, being 7 months pregnant, I really appreciated the drive through loop. There were plenty of pull of spots to explore and take photos. It took about 2 hours for us to drive through with many stops along the way. We went in January and it was so peaceful and quiet with perfect weather. The visitor center is small but has restrooms and a nice gift shop. The staff was incredibly friendly. The park pass was $20 for our car and was good for either park (East and West) for a week. read more

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This review is for the west side of the park. I thoroughly enjoyed both sides but this side isn't as densely populated as the east side. These do have older trees but I saw more younger ones. The rangers are also super friendly as I said in my review for the east side. Go to the visitors center first to get maps and suggestions from the park rangers. The driving trail is paved and has several pull offs to enjoy more amazing views! If you get a chance to visit you will not be disappointed! read more

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I finally got to cross this bad boy off my bucket list... The Saguaro National Park did not disappoint!! It was so, so BEAUTIFUL!! if it weren't so hot, and it wasn't illegal, I would just move in and live in the middle of the Saguaro lined hills, rocks, and flowers. It is so amazing. I didn't know there used to be so many more Saguaro cacti, and they were destroyed and then saved. (Luckily) we drive around the loop twice, once stopping at all the stops, and second time, making a quicker loop as the sun starts to set. It was peaceful and perfect, and the sunset was gorgeous! The sky was on fire with reds. Oranges, yellows, and then purples and blues like cotton candy on the outer edges. The cacti making surreal outlines through the beauty of they painted sky. The visitors center closed at 4, so after we got there, so no Saguaro souvenirs for me sadly, but there were clean batherooms and drinking fountains. Oh, and the creatures started coming out! Bunnies, deer, and lizards. So cute!!! read more

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This review is for eastern area of Saguaro National Park. I have a separate review on the Saguaro National Park West page. I grew up in Arizona and have really grown to appreciate the desert. This was my first visit to Saguaro National Park and it really gave me a new appreciation for the beauty of the Sonoran desert. This park is separated into two areas on the east and west side of Tucson. Saguaro Park West is more spread out with both paved and unpaved roads. Saguaro Park East is a 8.3-mile loop drive that has access to many trails and other points of interest. It is located in the Rincon Mountain District (Rincon is Spanish for corner). The Rincon Mountain visitor center is at the start of the loop drive. It is not as big as the visitor center on the west side, but offers a lot of educational material and paper maps if you need one. I like to do hikes when I visit national parks and did a couple of them at Saguaro Park East. The Freeman Homestead Nature Trail is about a mile long and has a grove of large saguaros and a desert wash. Loma Verde Loop has a bunch of mesquite trees and Garwood Trail has saguaros in all different shapes and sizes. Desert Ecology Trail is short and easy and is good for families. Stop at the Javelina Rocks Overlook for a nice overall view of the surrounding landscape. Saguaro National Park offers lots of landscape, fauna, flora, and giant saguaros to check out and photograph. The east side appears to have more hiking trails and allows backpacking. Just remember to bring lots of water and sunscreen if you are going to explore this park. read more

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