Get ready for heat. Lots of heat. Named after the nation’s largest cacti, this national park will let you get up close and personal with PLENTY of the prickly plants. Saguaro also straddles the city of Tucson, so it makes for a great trip if you’re staying in the city.
Things to Do
When we say that Saguaro straddles the city of Tucson, we mean it literally. The park has two distinct sections that are not at all connected: one on the eastern side of the city and one on the western side. Based on our research, we decided to only visit the western side, which is supposed to have a higher density of saguaro cacti. The eastern side of the park is more mountainous, though, so be sure to look into that option if you’re keen to do some longer hiking. Without further ado, below are our recommendations for Saguaro National Park West.
- Bajada Loop Drive: This drive is just six miles along a graded road suitable for all vehicles (we did it in a Toyota Camry). Consider this loop your home base, as it will take you to a number of short walks and viewpoints. Along the way, you’ll also get to see a ton of cacti. Just be sure to check weather conditions before you start the drive, as rains can flood the road quickly.
- Valley View Overlook Trail: This short, easy hike off the Bajada Loop Drive is just under a mile and offers you a great opportunity to get up close to a few giant cacti. You’ll also be rewarded at the end of the trail with a view of the – you guessed it – valley. From this perspective you’ll really appreciate the vastness of the park and the sheer number of saguaro cacti in the area.
- Desert Discovery Nature Trail: Another short and easy hike less than a mile, this trail gives you the opportunity to learn about the various fauna in the region at a self-guided pace. Placards line the trail, so you’ll be able to read about each type of cactus and learn about what makes them all unique. Like the Valley View Overlook Trail, this hike lets you get nice and close to some cool looking cacti.
- Signal Hill Petroglyphs: For those (like us) who were unfamiliar with the term, petroglyphs are carvings made into rock surfaces using chisels. Personally, we prefer nature and scenic views to petroglyphs, but it was still cool seeing the art created by indigenous populations in the area. It is only a short, uphill walk to get to the petroglyphs, which come with a nice view of the surrounding mountains.
Other Tips & Tricks
- When to Visit: If you plan to visit Saguaro during the summer, we recommend getting to the park as early as possible. It gets hot in the afternoon. Because we were driving through as part of a long road trip, we didn’t have a choice but to visit Saguaro around 3:00pm. If you find yourself in a similar situation, get ready to have the 110-degree heat suck all the moisture right out of you. Even in that weather it was still worth the trip, but we would have enjoyed the park much more if we had gotten there earlier in the day.
- What to Bring: Even if you plan to drive around and only get out for a few photos, bring plenty of water. The heat at Saguaro is no joke. You’ll also want a hat and sunscreen. If you plan to do any kind of hiking, triple up on the water, and make sure you have appropriate footwear. Smaller cacti tend to poke out into walking paths.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan