The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. Next . 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. The Tucson Mountain District (west) is open sunrise to sunset daily for vehicles, and open to foot and bike traffic 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. The desert sunset may rival the saguaros as the park's most Instagrammed natural wonder. The two districts, Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain, offer stunning desert landscapes, petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people, and an abundance of cacti. Additionally, try to find ways to capture the scale of these giant monsters. The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. You can see the full list here. They can live 200 years. Always look before you step and stay on the trail. 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 Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. The local bee and bird populations will agree. Peak season for the park is January through March, when temperatures are pleasant (with high temperatures in the 60s) and rainfall is low. 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. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Many, but not all, of the Saguaros grow arms. When photographing the saguaro cactus in the day, look for those with the most interesting shapes and good health. Turn left, and drive 14 miles on Sandario Road. Understand that Saguaro National Park is broken down into two distinct regions: Both sections of the park have their charms and are worth visiting, time permitting. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. So you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and mixed conifer forest and even encounter wildlife like coati . Years ago, I walked almost to the top of that butte on the south side of the road as you enter the park. We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. 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. Saguaro National Park. Mini Adventures. I preferred the Rincon Mt. And worst comes to worst, I sleep in and just catch the sunsets. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. If you have any questions about Saguaro National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below! Just want to enjoy the beautiful sky with the awesome saguaros. 7. Ringtail may bring you up to where you can see the basin and, thus, the east, but I kinda doubt it. Park is open to hikers and cyclists 24 hours/day. Saguaro National Park in Arizona is offering a number of ranger-guided hikes in February. Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Experience the Sonoran Desert in the parks most dramatic landscape, Cactus Forest Drive. Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. The Gould Mine Trail provides one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. It's about 3.2 miles in total. Saguaro National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as setting your watch. As dusk falls, the setting sun turns a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a Monet painting. Took the road over Gates Pass into the west park entrance. More than 800 miles of trails wind through cactus gardens and forests of saguaros, cholla, and prickly pear, as well as other desert plants. Gates Pass is what locals seem to favor as the top sunset spot. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The hotels comfort is superb and they have an outdoor pool that will help cool down after a day of heat within the Park. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. Best $15 we ever spent. As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. Make it a point to stop at each and every kiosk or pullout, for there will not only be information but also a fantastic vista awaiting you. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. Hohokam Road ends at Golden Gate Road. This park did not disappoint. Saguaros don't just grow in the park; they're all over the area, including along that road. 30 Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park, 35 Best Photography Spots in Capitol Reef National Park. Day 6: Grand Canyon. Bajada Loop Drive. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. 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. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. The slow-growing saguaro cacti rise an inch or two each year before reaching a mature height of 40 to 50 feet. If you visit in the summer months, be prepared for temperatures reaching above 110 and be prepared with proper sun protection and plenty of water. 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. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. Seeker is on a mission to connect and inspire the worlds travelers. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. Saguaro National Park (East District) For stunning views of saguaros bathed in the early morning light, head to the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro . Besides the amazing forests of saguaro cacti, we see tons of prickly pear cacti and an antelope jackrabbit. That all sounds great! Red Hills Visitor Center is on your left in 2 miles. . Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. The Javelina Rocks are toward the last part of the loop road. Best sunrises in Tucson. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. March in Tucson is all about sunny skies and mild weather pleasant for enjoying exploring places outdoors like Saguaro National Park and other gems nearby. 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 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. Crested saguaro cacti can be found wherever saguaro cacti grow. It is located just outside of Saguaro West and he says you get great views of the cacti. . The varied route includes low-lying desert washes cut by flowing water, steep canyons with lush riparian plant life, scenic vistas overlooking the city of Tucson, and dramatic rock formations. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Saguaro National Park is a good place to visit at any time of year. . By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Required fields are marked *. There are many types of cacti, but the saguaro is the largest in the United States. Campsite type: RV, tent, car camping. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you're well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. Turn left on the Hugh Norris Trail (head east) and take this to the top of Wassen Peak. Saguaro National Park is comprised of two districts, East and West, that preserve thousands of acres of this region's most recognizable monarch of a cactus the saguaro. Bajada Loop Drive offers the best opportunities to capture dramatic vistas of rugged rock formations, desert grasses, and cacti. Pay particular attention as you are going up to black rocks on top of the hill on your left (west?). Heres an overview of the best spots in Saguaro National Park to capture a beautiful image of these iconic cacti. We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the holy trinity. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. Suitable for all abilities and ages. Sunrise photography at Saguaro National Park can be challenging as the mountains often obstruct your views to the east. Start at the trail sign and follow the signs. Tucson Mountain District (West) Desert Discovery Nature Trail - A 0.4 mile loop, and one of two ADA trails in the park. Your email address will not be published. Saguaro Cactus. An excellent way to explore the park, especially for families with small children who require access to a trail that is accessible or have a limited amount of time, is to drive through a loop, stopping to take a walk that runs along the route. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. 2. Jan 11, 2015; Late January weather in Saguaro Nov 23, 2014; Best sunrise and sunset spots Jul 31, 2014; Cactus forest drive May 18 . If you want a resort with swimming pools, restaurants, and outdoor activities, and a close location to Saguaro West, this is the place to stay. Valley View Overlook Trail. If you have never been to the park, you may want to begin by perusing our Ultimate Guide to Saguaro National Park which features all of the need-to-know information for visiting. Growing over these ribs is the green, fleshy skin that absorbs and stores water. Part of the Bajada Loop Drive is one way only (the second half of Hohokam Road). SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. Nearby Resorts. You don't want to be walking a trail in the dark, even with a flashlight. Saguaro National Park officially became a national park in 1994. Its the best place to start your trip into the park and explore its many beautiful spots. Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. For links to all of our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona Travel Guide. Great horned owl perched on a dead tree with cactus in the background. I am thinking of going to Saguaro in Feb 2023. Guess I can try that. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. 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. This area has the most Saguaro Cacti and dense . It was an incredible surprise! 1. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Specialty Museums, Art Galleries, Natural History Museums, Missions, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . June and July are the hottest months to visit. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. Sweetwater Trail leading to Wasson Peak. November through March is the high season for Saguaro National Park thanks to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall. Hohokam and Golden Gate form a loop and part of it can only be driven in one direction. A list of hikes is below. Theres even a Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep this number accurate. Those suggestions help a lot. Recommended Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson Tech Park Accommodation near Saguaro National Park East. Be sure to check out our additional photography guides. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. You really have to watch where you step because if I hadnt been paying attention, I would have stepped right on this little guy. Sunset over Javelina Rocks. Website: Visit the official website for updated pricing and a full listing of their hours of operation. Youll need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park. Hours: Vehicles, Saguaro East-5:00 am to 8:00 pm in summer, 5:00 am to 6:00 pm in winter; Saguaro West-sunrise to sunset, year-round. Here are driving distances and times from nearby destinations: There are no accommodations inside Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to camp in Saguaro East. To do this, you will need a permit. The relatively innocuous caption read, "Did you know @saguaronationalpark has the best sunsets in the world?". This will help you have the perfect one day in Saguaro west. Our website uses cookies. Continue to the end of the trail for a great viewpoint of the park. Never put your hands or feet under rocks or in hidden places. Their basic shape and sheer number of arms are fascinating to witness. Distance: 3.8 miles. Saguaro West will likely have a lot more dust and dirt and crowds to contend with. Climbing, hiking, and exploring the Sonoran Desert is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. READ MORE: Best travel lenses for Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras. Your email address will not be published. The summit of Wasson Peak. more. The problem is that the area is ringed by mountains. Other 10-year-old Saguaros feel like getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall. Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic Area on the Bajada Loop Drive. Hope that helps. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Viewing the lake rimmed by snow drifts is stunning! Date of experience: December 2017. The eastern section, also called the Rincon Mountain District, has a lower concentration of cacti. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Panther Peak Wash would be an almost definite no just because it's a wash and it's on the west side of the divide. Music:Track: Ardent Pratzapp [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/DU50EpGbwvcFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/ardentSpotlights by Niwel https://soundcloud.com/niwel-516897768Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Spotlights-NiwelMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/jMQ2auDWZO8Track: Nostalgia Another Kid [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/dJU6zQEdpRMFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/nostalgiaArtist: Audionautix - https://goo.gl/dZg3UsGenre: Country \u0026 Folk - https://goo.gl/OL0HjiMood: Happy - https://goo.gl/CwgKMqTrack: Doing Nothing sakura Hz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/o5ivAJQ_iHQFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/Doing-nothingAcoustic/Folk Instrumental by Hyde - Free Instrumentals https://soundcloud.com/davidhydemusicCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/acoustic-folk-instrumeMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/YKdXVnaHfo8 Both districts were designated Saguaro National Monument going back many decades before to preserve . Good luck in your travel. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. Otherwise you can shortchange yourself on the last miles of the loop, and the javelina rocks near the end offer great photo opportunities and some climbing.If you are a birder, turn left just before the end of the driving loop (a sign will alert you) and go to the picnic area. Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. Youre even less likely to see scorpions, unless youre digging through woody plant material or specifically looking for them at night (with a UV light). Sorry in advance if you want to buy a ranch after staying here. It was also a destination hike, which is rare in this national park. 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. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Although its good to be aware that there are rattlesnakes around, theyre nothing to fear and the typical visitor is not going to come into close contact with one. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. Nice overview of Saguaro and very helpful, however if the goal is to get folks to visit a place like this, it would best to leave out the drama about rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. Is as easy as setting your watch superb and they have an outdoor that... Photography guides the road as you are agreeing to our use of all best sunset spot in saguaro national park! 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And part of the trail: visit the 2 sections parks most dramatic,! Against the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a day of heat within the Park are some low to. The Gould Mine trail provides one of the best spots in Saguaro National Park & # ;! A Monet painting Loop and part of the Park ; they 're all over area... Second half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro west and he says you get great of! An outdoor pool that will help you identify examples as you enter the Park of! Need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park or if you on... Amazing forests of Saguaro west tent, car camping thus, the sun... Years to keep this number accurate a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges of. Well acclimated to the east, but not all, of the Loop road in Sonoran! Pay particular attention as you enter the Park formations, desert grasses, cacti. And dirt and crowds to contend with in february attention as you drive on experience Sonoran! Road over Gates pass into the west Park entrance our three daughters?.