Saguaro National Park guides
11 in-depth guides to Saguaro National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Saguaro National Park overview.
Saguaro Entry Fee, Time Zone and Navigation
One pass covers the whole park, and it is good for seven days at both the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District.
Saguaro Bloom, Fruit and Monsoon Calendar
The saguaro bloom begins in late April and runs through June. Saguaro flowers bloom at night, so visitors who come in summer may want to plan their time in the park for early morning or evening.
The Iconic Saguaro Cactus
Few plants are as closely linked to the American West as the giant saguaro, the namesake of Saguaro National Park.
Cactus Forest Drive and Bajada Loop Drive
Cactus Forest Drive is an eight-mile loop through the eastern district of the park, in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains.
170 Miles of Trails, from Valley View Overlook
Hiking is the main draw here, with more than 150 miles of trails spread across the park's two districts.
A Metamorphic Core Complex Beneath the Cacti
The oldest rock in the park is Pinal Schist, about 1.7 billion years older than the Basin and Range Province that the park belongs to.
From Desert Floor to Oak-Juniper Woodland
Saguaro National Park rises from the Tucson valley desert floor into forested mountains above 8,000 feet, and the plant life changes along the way.
Javelinas, Bobcats and Coyotes of the Sonoran Desert
Javelinas, bobcats and coyotes are among the mammals that live in the park. Javelinas are hoofed mammals with dark brown coats and long snouts, and they are native to the park.
Hohokam Petroglyphs and Tohono O'odham Heritage
The Signal Hill Petroglyph Site sits just north of the Signal Hill picnic area in the Tucson Mountain District, the western section of Saguaro National Park, about 10 miles west of Tucson.
Backpacking to Manning Camp at 8,000 Feet
Manning Camp sits at 8,000 feet in the Rincon Mountain District, on the eastern side of Saguaro National Park.
Arizona Trail Across the Rincon District
The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches about 800 miles through the state, starting at the border with Mexico in the south and ending at the Utah border in the north.
