Saguaro National Park: 10 ways to make the most of a trip

The saguaro cactus, the universal symbol of the American West and the largest cacti in the U.S., is alive and well and protected within Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona, which became a national monument in 1933 and a national park in 1994.

Found only in a small part of the USA in the Sonoran Desert, the giant saguaro has a slow growth cycle and long lifespan – studies show that the cactus grows between 1 and 1.5 inches in the first eight years, flowers begin production at 35 years of age, and branches, or arms, normally appear at 50 to 70 years of age. An adult saguaro is considered to be about 125 years of age, and may weigh 6 tons or more and be as tall as 50 feet; a saguaro’s lifespan can be up to 250 years! Taking all of this into consideration, seeing the saguaros up close is even more impressive; and there are another 24 species of cactus found within the park as well.

Saguaro National Park is divided into two districts: the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District. To make the most of your visit to Saguaro National Park, we’ve compiled these 10 tips, in no particular order. The park is open 24 hours a day via walking or bicycling, and 7 a.m. to sunset in the Tucson Mountain District (west) and 7 a.m. to sunset in the Rincon Mountain District, 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day).

1. Plan Ahead: The park is open year-round and located within a desert, so it’s important to take weather into consideration when planning a visit to Saguaro National Park. While daytime temperatures in the winter range from the low-50s to the high-70s, summertime temperatures rise to the mid-80s to low-100s; rangers suggest visiting the park at sunrise or later in the day when the sun sets. Keep in mind, too, that as the temperature heats up, there are fewer of the park’s interpretive programs during the late-spring and summer. The busiest times in the park are November through March.

2. Drink Up: The Sonoran Desert climate is dry whatever season, and it’s important to stay hydrated when visiting the park. Be sure to bring along plenty of water with you when visiting the park. Park rangers suggest one quart of water per hour of hiking during hot summer days, and water refilling stations are found at both visitor centers. Bring along some sports drinks and salty snacks with you, too, to replenish your electrolytes.

3. Go for a Hike: With more than 165 miles of hiking trails in the park’s two districts, there are ample opportunities for hiking, whether on a short interpretive trail, a day-long hike or even overnight (permit required for overnight trips). Many of the hiking trailheads can be found along the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District (east) and throughout the Tucson Mountain District (west). Your best bet is to stop at a visitor center and map out your hike before setting off on the trails.

4. Go for a Drive: Saguaro National Park’s Rincon and Tucson Mountain Districts each have terrific drives from which you can take in a lot of the park. In the Rincon Mountain District (east), the eight-mile Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive features several trailheads, pullouts and incredible views along the way. Pick up a natural and cultural history guide at the visitor center beforehand so you can easily identify what you’re seeing. The unpaved, graded dirt/gravel Scenic Bajada Loop Drive takes you into the Tucson Mountain District’s (west) foothills, with scenic pullouts, picnic areas and trailheads found along its six-mile loop.

5. Go for a Ride:Bicycling is permitted within the park, but there are regulations to which to adhere. The same loop drives that are terrific for driving are also terrific for riding. In addition to these drives, two trails in the Rincon Mountain District (east) are open to bicycles – the new 2.8-mile Hope Camp Trail and the 2.5-mile Cactus Forest Trail. All trails in the Tucson Mountain District (west) are off limits for bicycling.

6. Mount Up: Horseback riding is possible within Saguaro National Park, and if you don’t have your own horse, there are a few local outfitters who can take you to experience the park from the saddle. A guided ride will also help make sure that you stay on the trails where horses are permitted.

7. Watch for Wildlife: The varied landscapes of Saguaro National Park, the elevation of which reaches 8,600 feet, provide ideal homes to plenty of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, some of which can only be found in southern Arizona. During your visit, keep an eye out for roadrunners (beep beep!), horned lizards, Gila monsters, kangaroo rats, collared peccaries and much more.

8. Ancient Artwork: In addition to keeping your eyes out for wildlife, iconic saguaro cactus and the incredible landscapes, be sure to be on the lookout for ancient petroglyphs, too. The rock art is found throughout the American Southwest, and in Saguaro National Park. Rangers say that most of the petroglyphs found within the park belong to the prehistoric Hohokam who lived in the region. Take a walk along the Signal Hill Trail in the Tucson Mountain District (west) and you’ll find a hill covered with dozens of petroglyphs that date 800 years. And of course, look but don’t touch to help preserve these ancient pieces of art.

9. Live the Nightlife: When the sun goes down, the park’s nightlife comes alive and the park rangers offer plenty of evening programs to experience it all. Upcoming events include sunset and moonrise hikes (Feb. 10, March 11), Star Party Thursdays (Feb. 23, March 23, April 20) and Friday Night Walks (Feb. 3 and 17, March 3, 17 and 31, and April 1 and 14). If you want to participate in any of these programs, be sure to make reservations (520-733-5153).

10. Spend a Day at the Museum: Just outside the park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a terrific place to learn all about the area. The museum’s 98 acres includes a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum and aquarium – and 85% of the experience is outside. The park’s hours vary seasonally, so be sure and check the website when planning your visit.

For more on Saguaro National Park, and to help with trip planning, download the free Chimani app to your smart phone to easily navigate your way around the park, with or without cell phone service.