Visit Saguaro National Park in Arizona. If you’re visiting Tucson and you’d like to spend some time in a beautiful natural setting, plan to visit Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park is the ideal place to explore the Sonoran Desert, a saguaro forest, and take in wonderful scenic views of rugged mountains.
Saguaro National Park contains two districts, and each offers a variety of attractions and opportunities for recreational activities. The Rincon Mountain District is located east of Tucson, while the Tucson Mountain District is located to Tucson’s west.
The eastern Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park includes more than 128 miles of trails to explore. Heights of over 8,000 feet are reached in this part of the Park. There is an aging saguaro forest located at the foot of the Rincon Mountains here and many other desert areas to explore. The Visitors Center at Saguaro East includes an outdoors plant exhibit that names and describes 15 major plants of the Sonoran Desert.
The western Tucson Mountain District features Saguaro National Park’s lower elevations and a denser saguaro forest. You can visit the Red Hills Visitor Center in the Tucson Mountain District for maps and more information on this part of the Park. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and saguaros from the Center, and you can tour a variety of cultural and natural history exhibits focused on the Sonoran Desert here.
The two Visitors Centers at Saguaro National Park are terrific starting points for planning your adventure in either district. You can then explore and enjoy the Park in a variety of ways. There are two scenic drives in Saguaro National Park. You can travel along an 8-mile one way loop in the eastern part of the Park, or take your choice of several scenic driving routes in the Park’s western district. There are picnic areas located along both areas’ scenic drives.
Horseback riding, biking and hiking are three popular ways people view the fascinating plants and animals that inhabit Saguaro National Park. There are many hiking trails located within each district of the Park, and bikers can travel along the scenic drives. Horseback riders must stick to designated horse trails within the Park. If you’re not looking to go camping, but prefer more comfortable accommodations, HotelsCombined.com provides excellent hotel rates for the Tucson area.
Saguaro National Park
3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730-5601
520-733-5100