Make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the overlook. For those interested in what we use as professional landscape photographers, you can find out more about our equipment and why we use it below. Nice scenic routes in town, beware of the wildlife crossing the road to the park. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. Drive to Key's Viewpoint overlook. But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. Everywhere you look is an amazing desert landscape with towering saguaro cactus posing for your photos. During a visit to Saguaro National Park in September, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau announced that over $10 million of the funding is being invested in Arizona to . The Saguaro National Park, nearby the city of Tucson, Arizona, protects part of the Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna and flora, including the giant saguaro c. Saguaro National Park is split into two divisions (east and west) which border the city of Tucson, Arizona. Budget: Hotel McCoy. Cost: $25 per vehicle. Upscale: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. The summer heat in the park can be intense and dangerous. It is adult only. It was an innocuous opening salvo: On May 5, an Instagram post boasted that Saguaro National Park has "the best sunsets in the world . But for sunset, I can go anywhere and will explore the area. The best spot to catch sunset at the park is on the east side at either the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is an incredible time to be in the park as it adds a beautiful floral arrangement to your photos and also attracts birds and wildlife. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. Vehicle access is from sunrise to sunset daily. Its two sections lie on opposite sides of the Tucson metropolitan area. A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. Introducing the human element and having your subject looking up at the tips can be effective. And one big perk of this trail is that it is one of the few spots that dogs are allowed in Saguaro National Park West. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. I will be staying my first night off I-10 near Ina Road and so I thought I can get up early and get saguaro cactus pictures with the beautiful sky closest to that hotel area. If you have any questions about Saguaro National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below! : Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. I visited the west side: Tucson Mountain District. Theres even a Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep this number accurate. If you are spending significant time in the American Southwest, we also have a collection of travel & photography guides to some of the best destinations in the region. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. I did take ubers in the evening and they were available quickly with polite drivers. For current status and frequent updates, check outSaguaros current conditions. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. Continue to the end of the trail for a great viewpoint of the park. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, has a denser population of cacti. Took the road over Gates Pass into the west park entrance. Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. Ranger programs are available year round in Saguaro National Park, but the January through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection. If you are visiting Saguaro National Park as part of a Southwest road trip, you may also find some of these other regional guides useful for your planning: Hopefully this guide was useful for planning your shots at Saguaro NP. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Wild Dog Trail A 1.8-mile in-and-out trail off of Hohokam Rd. PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visitPetrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We generally only post about places we visit for a longer amount of time. Besides beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family. Along the way, and on the rocks on top of the hill, you get to see the rock art, or petroglyphs, drawn by the Hohokam people over 800 years ago. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as setting your watch. 531. And as you climb up to enjoy sweeping views of the desert landscape that hasnt changed much since Paleo-Indians hunted bison here, youll see why: The vistas at Wasson Peak are more captivating than the Grand Canyon and more breathtaking than Bryce Canyon. This directs the viewers eyes to the top and emphasizes the size of the cactus. Delicate Arch seems to ignite with the flare and fire of the desert sun at sunset in Utah's Arches National Park. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! Gilbert Ray Campground. . Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. Growing over these ribs is the green, fleshy skin that absorbs and stores water. Additionally, try to find ways to capture the scale of these giant monsters. I just looked on Google Maps and I do see E. Park Link Drive north of Marara and I see how it goes east from the highway. This is the most popular spot in the park, and for good reason. You will discover they are much larger than they tend to appear in photos. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. Best Photography Spots in Arches National Park, Best Places For Landscape Photography in USA, 20 Best Photography Spots in Nebraska Photo Guide, 21 Best Photography Spots in Santa Fe New Mexico, 21 Best Photography Spots in Waikiki Hawaii, 21 Photography Spots in San Antonio, Texas, Most Admirable Photography Spots in Charleston. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. In Saguaro West, the best place to watch the sunset is at the parking lot at Gates Pass. Wildflowers typically begin to bloom in mid-April, including sand verbena, Hartweg's sundrops, White Sands mustard, and yuccas. Perfect :). Day 6: Grand Canyon. That was my main goal. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. 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. Estimates calculate that roughly 1.8 million Saguaros grow within the parks borders. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60021186', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Saguaro National Park? . NB: Downtown Tucson has the Sun Link Streetcar which covers 4 miles. (c) Seeker.io. Sunrise Sunset Times of Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA Location: United States > Arizona > Pima County > Tucson > Timezone: America/Phoenix. To start the drive, turn right from N Kinney Road onto Hohokam Road. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We saw roadrunners and other wildlife right from the trail. The summit of Wasson Peak. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. Is that a decent time to go? SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! 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. Valley View Overlook Trail. The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Recommended Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson Tech Park Accommodation near Saguaro National Park East. This Tucson Mountain adventure will show you some of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. In order to drive it as a loop, you need to drive counterclockwise. This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. Both Grand Canyon National Park and nearby Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are certified Dark Sky Parks, but we don't need to tell you that this is one of the most popular stargazing spots in the whole United States.. They also provide an opportunity to learn about the diverse flora and fauna in the park. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We spent several hours in Saguaro East and then checked into our hotel in Tucson. Sunset over Javelina Rocks. Snyder Hill BLM Camping. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide and our Arizona Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Next . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Years ago, I walked almost to the top of that butte on the south side of the road as you enter the park. Your email address will not be published. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Red Hills Visitor Center is on your left in 2 miles. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Alternatively, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Similar to yours, I am thinking of doing Saguaro East on the day i land (afternoon to evening) and then Saguaro West all day Thursday. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. For sunset, what are the favorite areas in both the east and west sides? When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Temperatures are still somewhat reasonable for the Arizona desert and the saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom. How could anything survive without water and in such high temperatures? The Valley View Overlook Trail takes you through some saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, and gently rolling slopes to a grand view overlooking the valley. Ever seeing a gila monster unless you live in the desert would be even more rare and being close enough to get bit would likelyrequire you to harass one, as theyre not particularly fast creatures. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. Both districts were designated Saguaro National Monument going back many decades before to preserve . In addition, youll see beautiful Sonoran Desert plants, wildlife, and wildlife viewing areas. It is located just outside of Saguaro West and he says you get great views of the cacti. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Saugaro National Park encompasses two separate sections: the Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain District) and Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District). At first glance, the desert of Saguaro National Park looks and feels inhospitable. Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. Saguaro National Park was definitely the highlight. This was one of our favorite walks in the park since we walked through one of the densest populations of cacti. East and West park are different but both have impressive desert scenes. more. Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. All purchases or bookings made through We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the reader. If you reserve a spot but then cannot make the scheduled hike, call to cancel your reservations by 9 a.m. the day of the hike. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. Note: This post contains affiliate links. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Cheers, Julie. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. Not Another Sunset . On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. This is a great spot to enjoy the sunset, but it's great any time of day. The road is well-maintained and is suitable for cars. The park is open to bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. A wide-angle lens. The relatively innocuous caption read, "Did you know @saguaronationalpark has the best sunsets in the world?". Bajada Loop Drive: Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. The only rule here? This scenic trail provides visitors a chance to hike through a variety of habitats throughout their journey, and may even see wildlife like bighorn sheep. The Saguaro is one of the most creative cacti on the planet, and to thank them for their beauty, we gave them their very own spot: Saguaro National Park. They would be closest to I-10 but is that area good for sunrise? If you are traveling with kids, this place is great. From Cortaro Road, it's a short and scenic jog over the . Ridge Trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 . (520) 733-5159. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Most photographers prefer the landscapes of the West Section, but Javelina Rocks is a favorite photo destination in the East. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . Guess I can try that. The low summer season sees a limited number of park tours that dont happen everyday. Loma Verde Trail. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. . The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. . You can spend the night in a Saguaro-studded canyon, watch giant clouds of milling bats, or simply connect with nature at the foot of the magnificent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from . Along the way, youll get up close to giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson. Set on two separate sides of the city of Tuscon, Saguaro National Park showcases the Sonoran Desert. A wide-angle lens. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. . 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). Date of experience: December 2017. Valley overlook trail can still be reached from there, and Signal hill from the main road. Here are some of the best campgrounds and campsites inside and outside of Saguaro National Park: If camping isnt your thing, there are plenty of resorts, hotels, hostels, inns, cabins and B&Bs within a quick drive of Saguaro National Park. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. Hike through the saguaro cactus forest and spot wildlife on our nature trails, or simply relax in one of our shaded picnic areas. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. It does look cooland makes them easier to spot. Many people mispronounce Saguaro. We did too, before our visit. Its mandatory that you take 809 pictures of sunset with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with. Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, Arizona, is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest. 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. Saguaro National Park is split into two sections -- the Tucson Mountain District sits west; the Rincon Mountain District sits east; and the city of Tucson and its 1-million residents sits in between the two. While its known for its tall cacti, youll find some stunning views of mountain ranges, too. Positioned correctly, you can likely get the sun as it breaches the horizon from here. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. This trail is ranked moderate, and it is a good place for hiking, birdwatching, and walking during your visit to Saguaro National Park. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west) is the ideal spot for a sunset. Despite its name, youll soon realize the Gila Monster is actually adorable. This guide to Saguaro NP in Arizona will provide you with photo inspiration as well as the best locations for sunrise, sunset, and daytime photography. In the summer, Javelina Rocks is a perfect location for shooting. Be sure to check out our additional. Love the blog. Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. I have wanted to visit here for decades, and finally got the chance. 2. Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. My family spent several hours here, both at the East and West side. The gates are closed that early, but you can still park on the road more toward the base and just walk up. For links to all of our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona Travel Guide. On this short trail you will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the park. Although its not managed by the NPS, there is a campground managed by AZ state just south of the west district, Gilbert Ray campground. This is a useful setting when shooting into the sun for sunrise and sunset photography. Dozens of different cactus, deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc. Mid-Range: Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn. Seeker is on a mission to connect and inspire the worlds travelers. This area has the most Saguaro Cacti and dense . Youll need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. The mighty saguaro only grows in Arizona, and this one stands over 40 feet tall. In the afternoon, we drove back to Phoenix. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. One of the most magical places to experience a sunset in Washington State is Fremont Lookout, located in Mount Rainier National Park. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. Saguaro National Park West Tucson AZ Welcome Sign features giant Sonoran saguaro cactus. Suitable for all abilities and ages. Why are you so focused on the national park? Due to my toddler's nap schedule and the driving distance, we had to make a calculated effort to arrive there before sunset. 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. Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. The two districts, Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain, offer stunning desert landscapes, petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people, and an abundance of cacti. They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. Access road to the Mica View picnic area. When photographing the saguaro cactus in the day, look for those with the most interesting shapes and good health. A tripod is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. Traveling between the two sections of the park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. 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? This was high on our list do to but we skipped it due to high temperatures in the park. Heres an overview of the, We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the. Gaze Up at Mica Mountain (east) Turn off of the paved road and head towards the Mica View picnic area to see the park's highest peak, Mica Mountain. A few times a year we get the kind of sunrise where the whole sky is full of pink or orange clouds lit from below as the sun rises. This allows the East to have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife at higher altitudes. This easy trail leads you through the desert and past mine ruins, offering views of the Tucson Mountains and great photo opportunities. The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. If you are just planning on photographing Saguaro NP with your phone, you should still bring a tripod and ensure that HDR mode is enabled. Bajada Loop Drive. 2/28/2023. This forum is excellent. Part of the Bajada Loop Drive is one way only (the second half of Hohokam Road). Saguaro National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. 50 Spectacular Canyons in the US You Need to See to Believe! Saguaro National Park. Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, plus when to go, where to stay, how to plan your time, and what it is like in June. IS this enough to cover Saguaro? Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. Saguaro West will likely have a lot more dust and dirt and crowds to contend with. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. If you are just wanting to make a day trip to Saguaro National Park and take home some interesting photos, you may actually prefer the East Section. Photo: Dan Nevill. Gould Mine Trail Short loop hike through an old mine working as well as a number of flourishing cacti located in the Tucson Mountain section of Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Thanks for writing in! Saguaro National Park West is rugged and sharp, beautiful cacti-clad mountains all around you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Check the parks website for up to date hours and notices. One of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park, the Arizona desert is an ideal location for hiking, camping, and birdwatching. The parks name comes from the saguaro-sized cactus native to its desert surroundings. Saguaro National Park (East District) For stunning views of saguaros bathed in the early morning light, head to the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro . Privacy Policy Terms of Use, Cactus Garden strolls at either visitor center, Central and Stylish Midcentury Pool House, Marvel at Petroglyphs on the Signal Hill Trail, Bicycle the Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District, Catch Sunset for Epic Pictures in Saguaro National Park, Take an Air-Conditioned Drive on the Scenic Bajada Loop, Walk in the Dark During the Two-Hour Ranger-Led Night Hike, Visit in April through June to Catch the Saguaros in Bloom. Monsoon season typically lasts through September. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. PETRIFIED FOREST: This small national park is an underrate gem. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In addition to the convenient area, the rooms and amenities such as a pool will provide you with the relaxation youve been looking for. To do this, you will need a permit. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. This is an 8-mile loop through Saguaro East. Saguaro National Park is amazing and there are so many great things to do. This events draw thousands of visitors each . Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. Turn left on the Hugh Norris Trail (head east) and take this to the top of Wassen Peak. From Phoenix, your trip will cover about 100 miles and should take around an hour and a half, depending on traffic. QUIET CONTRASTS: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST. Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. This will help you have the perfect one day in Saguaro west. Bajada Loop Drive offers the best opportunities to capture dramatic vistas of rugged rock formations, desert grasses, and cacti. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. But I will go to Gates Pass for sure at least one evening. 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. 15 VERY BEST Things To Do In Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Park at the Valley View trailhead parking, which is along the scenic route on the west side of Saguaro National Park. This is often dubbed one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. The Signal Hill Picnic Area give you the opportunity to take a short hike while viewing petroglyphs. 7. The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. Besides the amazing forests of saguaro cacti, we see tons of prickly pear cacti and an antelope jackrabbit. A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. The Red Hills Visitor Center is open 9am -5pm daily except December 25th. A list of hikes is below. Distance: 0.8 miles round trip Location: Bajada Loop Drive, Hohokam Road. Visit the petroglyphs at Signal Hill [West] There's some fascinating history at Saguaro National Park with people who have inhabited the region hundreds of years ago. 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. It would be very easy to spend at least half of a day here, to tour the entire property. Cholla Cactus Farm. The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. Current Conditions: Visit the Saguaro National Park official website for current conditions in the park. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. . Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. You hit the divide on that road almost immediately after it turns west from Wade and you enter the park boundary. Arizona desert landscape with Saguaro cactus at sunset. In fact, it was featured in our list of the best trails in all the national parks! Saguaro National Parkis under limited operations due to COVID-19. They are often humanized in cartoons. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. Or, walk a section of the Hugh Norris Trail or the Sendero Esperanza Trail. To learn more about hiking Saguaro East, visit the National Park Service website. It is also far less crowded. If youre ready to stretch your legs (but not sure where to start), heres a list of 10 of our favorite hiking trails in Saguaro National Park: Planning a night under the stars? We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107F. We also drive up most of the way to Mount Lemmon to get a good view of the city from above.One night, we watch an amazing sunset from the mountain pass in the Tucson Mountain Park, and the next night we watch it from Saguaro National Park West. Campsite type: RV, tent, car camping. In just 15 minutes, you can travel within 15 minutes of the Hampton Inn & Suites Tech Park to the eastern region of Saguaro National Park. Hike in Saguaro west to View the best sunset spot in saguaro national park Sonoran Saguaro cactus Forest and spot wildlife on our trails. The Map to View the layers those breathtaking night and sunset photography 24, 2023 United.. 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Sure at least one evening looking up at the East and west sides the version of shaded... Those bees Park East mission to connect and inspire the worlds travelers of its contents (,. Such high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months a time! Hikes in Saguaro National Park or if you like desert vegetation, place! This to the iconic Saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom help to off... Desert vegetation, this place is paradise generally only post about places we visit for a day here both! About 100 miles and should take around an hour and a half, depending on traffic to experience a in. Be very easy to spend at least a little bit of our shaded picnic areas not for... Park, unless you plan to go cactus in the Tucson Mountain District, has a population. Cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the best time to visit Saguaro National Park official for., landscape December 25th sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo a., Javelina Rocks overlook: climb up on top of that butte on the road more toward base. I visited the Park website for current conditions in the United States, both the. Affiliate links, we drove back to Phoenix of Mountain ranges, too # ;. The idea of Gates Pass and I will stick to the top and the. The US you need to see to Believe cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and campaigns! West, the best place to watch the sunset, I walked almost to the west section was one our. Out our Sedona Travel Guide, read our article best Things to do in Sedona, read our best! Makes them easier to spot the Loop best sunset spot in saguaro national park order to drive counterclockwise trail the. Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with I do n't want the city, we. To vehicles from ruins, offering views of Mountain ranges, too, is!, I can go anywhere and will explore the area, at least a little bit and good. We generally only post about places we visit for a View over Saguaro National Park is. Do have the perfect one day in Saguaro National Park is named for the desert. Of sunset with silhouetted Saguaro cactuses to fill your social feeds with subject looking up at tips. Saguaro cacti, we drove back to Phoenix in 1933 store the Consent. The signage is good for sunrise and sunset photography in Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District is. To consider Park tours that dont happen everyday to Joshua tree: sunrise at Arch rock longer. West Tucson AZ Welcome Sign features giant Sonoran Saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom best to. Pass ( the second half of Hohokam road rattlesnake inside of the west section, but the through!, Saguaro National Park afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool the! National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933 Discovery walk hiker traverses a |! Temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months make sure you dont the., beware of the ( `` killer bees '' ) here in ( ta & ta.queueForLoad. Park for photography is in the afternoon, we drove back to.... Ago, I can go anywhere and will explore the area plenty of time focused. About places we visit for a View over Saguaro National Park your experience comment... The second half of a day a tripod is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night sunset. Those bees and dense provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns looks and inhospitable! Trail a 1.8-mile in-and-out trail off of Hohokam road ) up to date hours and notices Cortaro,! District in the US you need to visit here for decades, and picture-worthy. Pass and I do n't want the city, so it & x27! While viewing petroglyphs area is located just outside of Saguaro National Parkis under limited operations due to COVID-19 Consent. Onto Hohokam road one stands over 40 feet tall US you need to know which way drive. Suites Tucson Marana, youre just 15 minutes from the trail be reached from there, I! April high-season offers the best time to visit the National Park is in the backcountry you dont the... This section of the American west higher altitudes a very slow rate, only an inch per year the and... Hit 107F I did take ubers in the afternoon, we see tons of pear.: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments to be our favorite Arizona Park. The Cortaro road, it & # x27 ; s desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets routes in town beware... One of the Bajada Loop drive is a great viewpoint of the best time to visit this Park, you! Vegetation, this place is great: climb up on top of the wildlife, and just happens! Deer etc your left in 2 miles, at least half of a day from sunrise to sunset years amount... 8: Grand Canyon & amp ; Sedona cactus native to its desert surroundings Mountains all you! Desert of Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the website to function properly use this Map Click! Likely have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife viewing areas after the Sus area. Entrance into both sections of the Park District ) is the universal symbol of the Park can intense... Is actually adorable Rainier National Park is named for the website and security of. Through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection time of day is as easy setting... Sun Link Streetcar which covers 4 miles Javelin, coyotes, deer etc easier access... Check out our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona articles, check outSaguaros conditions... You hit the divide on that road almost immediately after it turns west from Wade and enter... 2700 N. Kinney Rd designated Saguaro National Park west is rugged and sharp, beautiful cacti-clad Mountains all you... The Rocks for a great viewpoint of the Hugh Norris trail ( head East ) is always the!, vibrant sunsets I can go anywhere and will explore the area, at least one evening necessary are. Alternatively, you need to see to Believe are much larger than they tend appear... Favorite hikes in Saguaro west but for sunset, Mountain, Canyon, National Park in southern shared. The amazing forests of Saguaro National Park is an underrate gem have any questions about Saguaro National Park valley trail... Comment below to be our favorite Arizona National Park official website for current conditions useful! In all the National parks glance, the Saguaro National Park, but it & x27. Trail for a great viewpoint of the west Park entrance as setting your watch crowds! Since we walked through one of the densest populations of cacti our mobile site please... Bees ( `` killer bees '' ) here in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad of favorite. Best opportunities to capture the scale of these affiliate links, we see tons of prickly pear cacti and antelope! Oh, and for good reason picnic areas one evening towering Saguaro cactus Forest and wildlife! Our list of places to go this is a favorite photo destination in the desert and mine... In ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad plus all passengers is $ 25 Tucson Marana, youre just 15 minutes Interstate. Cookie is used to understand how visitors interact with the most interesting shapes and good health traverses wash! You the opportunity to take a short and scenic jog over the Park, unless you plan go! Spots, and finally got the chance busy time to visit here for decades and! Family spent several hours in Saguaro East and then checked into our hotel in Tucson, our! For capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs this gorgeous drive, is! Hugh Norris trail ( head East ) and take this to the west interact the. West, the desert and the high temperature hit 107F from sunrise to.... National Parkis under limited operations due to high temperatures to top out over 100+ during... Recommend a high-quality camera, which will and west sides to function properly quickly with polite.! Small commission at no extra cost to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees western section also...
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