Saguaro National Park guide · 1 min read
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 flowering season draws visitors from all over the world.
By June, the saguaro fruit is beginning to ripen. June is usually the driest month as the desert waits for the monsoon to arrive.
Monsoon season runs from mid-June through September, and its rains mostly fall in the afternoons over the mountains. Downpours send runoff through the drainages and fill washes across the desert floor, so flash floods are a real concern. Check the weather before you head out. The season is also mating season for many animals in the park, so wildlife sightings are possible.
Spring brings cactus and wildflower blooms starting in late February and March, with wildflowers peaking in March. Pincushion cacti flower from April through August, and chollas bloom in spring, with some continuing into summer. In the Rincon Mountain District, Rincon Peak rises behind the saguaros and wildflowers, and the mountains are forested above 8,000 feet. Cactus and wildflowers can be in flower together in spring, which gives photographers a chance to frame saguaros, wildflowers and Rincon Peak in one view.
Summers are extremely hot, with daytime highs regularly over 100 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Bring sunscreen, water, a hat and sunglasses. When the daily high is between 95 and 110 degrees, finish hiking by 10 in the morning, and skip hiking altogether when it tops 110. Turn around before you have used half your water. Trails range from short walks to wilderness hikes and backcountry camping.
