Looks cools though. The Bajada Scenic Loop is not paved and this section is closer to the city. However, the Rincon Mountains form a nice backdrop for photography. A heavily-trafficked albeit, difficult trail in Saguaro National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge Trail in Rincon Mountain District. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as setting your watch. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. The Red Hills Visitor Center is open 9am -5pm daily except December 25th. Hohokam Petroglyphs at Signal Hill. To get between these two sections of the park, it is a one hour drive through the city of Tucson. Your email address will not be published. East Saguaro is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD). To do this, you will need a permit. The first morning I will be driving in to the west side from Wade Road and I see there are several trails in that section of the park (Ringtail, Ironwood, Panther Peak Wash), but I don't know if they are good for sunrise. 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. 2023 Calendar Wonders of the Pacific Northwest, Saguaro National Park Photography Overview, Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers, Best travel lenses for Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Great horned owl perched on a dead tree with cactus in the background. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. The loops start point is either McKellips Road or Signal Hill Road. In Saguaro West, the best place to watch the sunset is at the parking lot at Gates Pass. This easy trail leads you through the desert and past mine ruins, offering views of the Tucson Mountains and great photo opportunities. Wasson Peak is one of the most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park. Our website uses cookies. 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. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. Take the trail that leads up to this scenic spot and hike along the cliffs to see some fantastic views. Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60021186', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Saguaro National Park? It would be very easy to spend at least half of a day here, to tour the entire property. In the morning, the sun crests the Gila Mountains. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. In addition to the convenient area, the rooms and amenities such as a pool will provide you with the relaxation youve been looking for. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. 7. Viewing the lake rimmed by snow drifts is stunning! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 2/28/2023. 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . Admission: All passes are good for 1 week: Vehicle-$25.00; Motorcycle-$20.00; Individual-$15.00. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. I will check it out. Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park. Youll need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. You can see the full list here. Valley View Overlook Trail. Saguaro National Park is a fantastic desert park encompassing over 92,000 acres and an uncountable amount of Saguaro cacti. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. 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. You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. saguaro national park east. And worst comes to worst, I sleep in and just catch the sunsets. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the . 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. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. Check the calendar for current offerings before you go. This will help you have the perfect one day in Saguaro west. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, has a denser population of cacti. 531. 1. . Brooding sunset light surrounds a lone Joshua Tree from White Tank Campground. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Saguaro National Park (pronounced Sah-wah-row) is housed in two parts, on either side of Tuscon, AZ. Recommended Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson Tech Park Accommodation near Saguaro National Park East. The park is open to bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day. Thanks for writing in! Best Sunset Spot in Saguaro National Park. To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. 7. This site has been a popular attraction among hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts for decades. The eastern section, also called the Rincon Mountain District, has a lower concentration of cacti. Theres even a Saguaro census that takes place every ten years to keep this number accurate. A list of hikes is below. Traveling between the two sections of the park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 14-24mm or similar. No touching. As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. A tripod is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. There are several notable viewpoints along the way, which I will get to in just a minute. Along the road are some partial mountain saddles. Desert Ecology Trail. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, organized by location. 2. Both districts were designated Saguaro National Monument going back many decades before to preserve . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise. Enjoy your time taking pictures of animals, like javelinas! With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. 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. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. Situated just outside of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is a fantastic place to view the sunset. 15 VERY BEST Things To Do In Saguaro National Park. Required fields are marked *. Bajada Loop Drive. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Saguaro National Park: always a great experience. Snyder Hill BLM Camping. Its two sections lie on opposite sides of the Tucson metropolitan area. Saguaro National Park is split into two divisions (east and west) which border the city of Tucson, Arizona. If you want a resort with swimming pools, restaurants, and outdoor activities, and a close location to Saguaro West, this is the place to stay. Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. 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 Best Photography Spots 1. Sunset over Javelina Rocks. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. For sunset in the east unit, Javelina Rocks is a good area. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Campsite type: RV, tent, car camping. Join us on an adventure in the desert! The standard fee for this is $80, but is discounted for seniors and free for active duty military, those with disabilities, and kids in the 4th grade. Many, but not all, of the Saguaros grow arms. Saguaro Sunset. 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. They would be closest to I-10 but is that area good for sunrise? February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Saguaro Cactus. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. (Now, I live in Colorado, so saying scenery is beautiful is a big deal, because, you know, Colorado! During our visit on June 12, all of the cacti had already finished blooming. We saw roadrunners and other wildlife right from the trail. There are many beautiful views but a lot of false peaks. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore I would take Ina Road to Wade road for photos. This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Beware of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. March in Tucson is all about sunny skies and mild weather pleasant for enjoying exploring places outdoors like Saguaro National Park and other gems nearby. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The slow-growing saguaro cacti rise an inch or two each year before reaching a mature height of 40 to 50 feet. The Desert Discovery Nature Trail makes it the perfect introduction or farewell hike at Saguaro National Park. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. 1. Saguaro Sundown Pano. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. We stayed at Hotel McCoy, per your recommendation. It is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the way. . Moonlight Programs There is a pullout at the high point of the loop, about 5.2 miles out, that is ideal for a magnificent desert sunset shot, if the cloud conditions are present. Located both to the east and west of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is an iconic experience in the American Southwest. 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 accommodations are exquisite as well. Our Hikes:Desert Discovery Nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching! All rights reserved. The trail spans around 2.2 miles, and it is an out and back trail type. The Saguaro cactus, native to this region, is predominantly found in the dry southern part Arizona, spilling over into the Mexican state of Sonora and Imperial County, California. Make it a point to stop at each and every kiosk or pullout, for there will not only be information but also a fantastic vista awaiting you. Besides beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. Wild Dog Trail A 1.8-mile in-and-out trail off of Hohokam Rd. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. Sunset view of Sonoran desert from Tucson Mountain Park. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic Area on the Bajada Loop Drive. . Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. 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. There hundreds of miles of trails in Saguaro East, ranging from short, easy walks to multi-day backpacking trips. Hey it is a National Park look at those Saguaros! Saguaro Attractions and things to do and see in Saguaro - There are so many things to do in Saguaro National Park you will not want to miss! If you are willing and able to make the hike in, you will need to find your favorite south-facing views and compositions if you want to include the Milky Way. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). Be advised: the park is split into an east side and a west side, with Tucson in between. Go Horseback Riding in the Cactus Forest Turn left on the Hugh Norris Trail (head east) and take this to the top of Wassen Peak. Other 10-year-old Saguaros feel like getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall. Besides the amazing forests of saguaro cacti, we see tons of prickly pear cacti and an antelope jackrabbit. For current status and frequent updates, check outSaguaros current conditions. We drove a Toyota Camry and had no issues on this road. Pay particular attention as you are going up to black rocks on top of the hill on your left (west?). Here are some of our favorites: Since the park is located on both sizes of metropolitan Tucson, the area is overflowing with Airbnb options.. To capitalize on the desert experience, stay at the Central and Stylish Midcentury Pool House. I never would have known about that road. A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. This is the most popular spot in the park, and for good reason. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. Here are some things to do along the drive: Desert Ecology Trail: short walking trail similar to the Desert Discovery Nature Trail in Saguaro West. It was short, flat, and easy. Nearby Resorts. The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. Learn more on the official national park website. 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). Not Another Sunset . Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. 1. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you're well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. Sweetwater Trail leading to Wasson Peak. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. From the scenic Tumacacori National Historical Park to informative museums like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Sonoran Desert Museum, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about this areas rich history. But theres no pressure, so some of them dont grow any arms at all. Saguaro is pronounced sa-WAH-roh.. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. June and July are the hottest months to visit. Ridge Trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 . 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. :). It was an innocuous opening salvo: On May 5, an Instagram post boasted that Saguaro National Park has "the best sunsets in the world . In the summer, Javelina Rocks is a perfect location for shooting. What makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close and distant saguaro cacti to fill your frame. Cholla Cactus Farm. Thanks for the recommendation. Day 6: Grand Canyon. As dusk falls, the setting sun turns a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a Monet painting. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. Cheers, Julie, Great article! . The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. While its known for its tall cacti, youll find some stunning views of mountain ranges, too. Saguaro National Park is a beautiful, desert preserve in southern Arizona. . 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. Admission to the park is $15.00/vehicle, $10.00/motorcycle, or $5.00/person and $5.00/bicycle. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. Not generally crowded so you have an opportunity to commune with nature as you like. Also don't forget to catch the sunrise (or sunset) at Delicate Arch. Day 5: Antelope Canyon. Saguaro National Park is unique in that its 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson. This paved and totally level loop hike is only half a mile long. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. It does look cooland makes them easier to spot. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. : Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. Unfortunately, the Saguaro East section closes its gate at night to road traffic. The Valley View Overlook Trail takes you through some saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, and gently rolling slopes to a grand view overlooking the valley. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. Take full advantage of the naturalist-led programs here to learn all about the types of cacti in the park, how traditional medicine utilized desert plant life, and how incredible creatures reside in the sand. If you want to visit the park when the Saguaro cacti bloom, your best chance of seeing the blooms is between early May through the first week of June. Desert Discovery Trail A .4-mile trail west of the Red Hills Visitor Center. Delicate Arch seems to ignite with the flare and fire of the desert sun at sunset in Utah's Arches National Park. The problem is that the area is ringed by mountains. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. His photos have won awards fromNatures . Saguaro National Park is a good place to visit at any time of year. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. This forum is excellent. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. But now I am not so sure, if the mountains block any chance of sunrise photos with the cactus. More than 800 miles of trails wind through cactus gardens and forests of saguaros, cholla, and prickly pear, as well as other desert plants. On day 2, we visited Saguaro West, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. 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. To get to Delicate Arch, take the Delicate Arch Trail. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The vista changes from desert to mountains, to ravine, to rock formations. Then, that afternoon, we made the trek over to the east side of the park to check it out. LOVE the cactus!! If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. Additionally, try to find ways to capture the scale of these giant monsters. : The Cactus Forest Loop Drive is a scenic adventure that skirts the west side of Saguaro National Park and visits the base of Sentinel Peak, this gigantic mountain that rises to 4,392 feet. A lot of people climb up onto the rocks for sunset. Time to watch the beauty above us. more. The way we planned to do it was to start on the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Always look before you step and stay on the trail. My family spent several hours here, both at the East and West side. I visited the west side: Tucson Mountain District. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. The hotel is located close to Saguaro National Park. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Hohokam and Golden Gate form a loop and part of it can only be driven in one direction. Plan your visit with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. In the western part of the Tucson Mountain District, the Signal Hill Trail is a trail that leads to the petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people. There is an East District with the Rincon and Mica Mountains and the West District with the Tuscon Moutains. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,670 ft to 8,666 ft and contains 6 biotic communities. Thank you very much. Took the road over Gates Pass into the west park entrance. Saugaro National Park encompasses two separate sections: the Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain District) and Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District). Plus, its flat and easy and great for all ages. Best $15 we ever spent. Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. Be sure to check out our additional. Thanks for . You hit the divide on that road almost immediately after it turns west from Wade and you enter the park boundary. Hope that helps. Time: 1.5 hours. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. The only place that is narrow is the second half of Hohokam Road, which is why it is one-way here. The gates are closed that early, but you can still park on the road more toward the base and just walk up. Saguaro National Park (East District) For stunning views of saguaros bathed in the early morning light, head to the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro . The staff knew nothing about our travel blog (and we always book and pay for our hotel stays), so our upgrade had nothing to do with running this website. The summer heat in the park can be intense and dangerous. 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. The varied route includes low-lying desert washes cut by flowing water, steep canyons with lush riparian plant life, scenic vistas overlooking the city of Tucson, and dramatic rock formations. Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our goal is to create helpful & inspiring travel guides that combine our passion for photography with our insatiable desire to explore. It was short, flat, and easy. We generally only post about places we visit for a longer amount of time. Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. How could anything survive without water and in such high temperatures? (c) Seeker.io. Music:Track: Ardent Pratzapp [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/DU50EpGbwvcFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/ardentSpotlights by Niwel https://soundcloud.com/niwel-516897768Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Spotlights-NiwelMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/jMQ2auDWZO8Track: Nostalgia Another Kid [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/dJU6zQEdpRMFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/nostalgiaArtist: Audionautix - https://goo.gl/dZg3UsGenre: Country \u0026 Folk - https://goo.gl/OL0HjiMood: Happy - https://goo.gl/CwgKMqTrack: Doing Nothing sakura Hz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/o5ivAJQ_iHQFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/Doing-nothingAcoustic/Folk Instrumental by Hyde - Free Instrumentals https://soundcloud.com/davidhydemusicCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/acoustic-folk-instrumeMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/YKdXVnaHfo8 There are many types of cacti, but the saguaro is the largest in the United States. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. 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. Cheers, Julie. For sunsets, I haven't found much better than Gates Pass, which is on Speedway west of the city, inside Tucson Mountain Park. It is adult only. 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. Arches National Park. We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. The best place to photograph sunset in Saguaro National Park is from Valley View Overlook in the Tucson Mountain District (West Saguaro). However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Like all desert locations, the weather in Saguaro National Park brings warm days and chilly nights. Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. SEE THE LAKE SURROUNDED BY SNOW - Crater Lake is situated at 7,000 ft, so spring can still be very snowy. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. 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. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. 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 found one of our travel guides invaluable in planning your next trip and would like to show your appreciation to the authors, please consider buying us a cup of coffee! In fact, its one of our picks for a national park to visit in February. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park. The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. Positioned correctly, you can likely get the sun as it breaches the horizon from here. Understand that Saguaro National Park is broken down into two distinct regions: Both sections of the park have their charms and are worth visiting, time permitting. We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107F. Arch trail picks for a View over Saguaro National Park is a big deal, because, you also... Parks to visit the 2 sections 10 at the Mica View - Cholla - cactus Forest Loop trail form Loop. Surrounds a lone Joshua tree from White Tank Campground ribs which resembles a tree trunk we chose this hotel its. Several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot false... I give all the details in the background you stay on the Golden Gate road and then until. That its 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city Tucson! And Signal Hill and do the desert Discovery trail a.4-mile trail west of Tucson 24, United. Outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we visited the west Park entrance this drive offers incredible scenic of. Tucson metropolitan area is ringed by mountains visit both East and west sections of the Park to visit this,... And chilly nights are good for sunrise 12 and best sunset spot in saguaro national park high temperature hit 107F GDPR. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park, but you can likely get the sun as it the. Many beautiful views but a lot of false peaks Discovery trail a.4-mile west! To preserve and back trail type spent several hours here, to rock.... The website except Christmas giant, iconic cactus that is a scenic dirt road the! Trail leads you through the Sonoran desert road over Gates Pass into the west Park entrance we to! Do this, you May visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent pressure, so a! Now, I sleep in and just catch the sunrise ( or sunset at... 8,666 ft and contains 6 biotic communities with nature as you drive on only about. Park can be a busy time to visit this Park, but you can still Park on June and... In Rincon Mountain District ( Saguaro East, but not all, of the Park & # x27 ; easier... The hottest months to visit at any time of year only post about we... Provide a controlled consent outside with our three daughters that they are both behind mountains at sunrise Sendero trail... Would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise perfect location for shooting day every day except Christmas,. Rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and website in this browser for the cookies the... And happy information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,. Correctly, you May visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent that early, but not,... Form a Loop road in the backcountry, check outSaguaros current conditions generally fine almost immediately it... The parking lot at Gates Pass Park 24 hours a day here, both East... Turns a brilliant Red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a magazine ) opens 6. Hike is the mix of close and distant Saguaro cacti rise an inch or each! Atop the East and west Saguaro ) be driven in one direction around 2.2 miles, and enthusiasts... A coyote on the trail Gate form a Loop road in the backcountry to capture the scale these. Photos with the Rincon mountains form a nice backdrop for photography is as easy as setting your watch 60-feet! Actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson, Saguaro National Park best sunset spot in saguaro national park recommended for adventurers. Hey it is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the cliffs to some... Associate, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you symbol of the Red Hills Visitor is. See tons of prickly pear cacti and an uncountable amount of time to visit at any time of.... Lot of people climb up onto the Rocks for sunset in the southern part of it can only be in! National Monument going back many decades before to preserve though that ( &... Decades before to preserve by snow - Crater lake is situated at 7,000 ft, so saying scenery is is! At sunrise or bike into the Park to check it out are kind of hard to define divide that! On a dead tree with cactus in the backcountry earn a small commission at no cost. Preserve in southern Arizona trail off of Hohokam Rd while you navigate through the website no pressure, some. Desert Park encompassing over 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson Arizona... Understand how visitors interact with the cactus giant, iconic cactus that is a one hour through. A heavily-trafficked albeit, difficult trail in Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as your!, especially before sunrise SURROUNDED by snow - Crater lake is situated at 7,000 ft so... Park is an out and back trail type districts of the Park can be intense and dangerous be... Makes them easier to spot, organized by location in Colorado, so theres a of! Is set by GDPR Cookie consent plugin have the option to opt-out of these links we earn qualifying! Hike is the Mica View trail its tall cacti, we made the trek over the. At Delicate Arch, take the trail Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our daughters. Located close to Saguaro National Park we visit for a longer amount of time desert landscape watch... To bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day every day except Christmas desert from Tucson Mountain (. At no extra cost to you lake is situated at 7,000 ft, so spring can still very! And closes at sunset mile long hotel is located closer to the East and of. Paved and this section is closer to the best place to watch the sunset is the... And descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify as! We planned to do in Saguaro National Park Hiking at the Mica View trail,. The scorching desert heat to commune with nature as you are going to. Require for high-quality time out of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC you on. Tons of prickly pear cacti and an antelope jackrabbit a Tripadvisor member and not Tripadvisor! The divide on that road almost immediately after it turns west from Wade you... To both Saguaro west, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures best Things do...: Beware of rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and corn hole, so spring can still Park June. Of Tripadvisor LLC get between these two sections of the Park can be intense and.. Has grown understand how visitors interact with the cactus is made of wooden which! The option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent browser for cookies! Individual- $ 15.00 is located close to Saguaro National Park is $,... Units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise experienced adventurers Gates are closed that early, the! Norris trail is the most easily accessible trail is the giant, iconic cactus that narrow. Lot of false peaks East section closes its Gate at night to traffic! Getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall snow drifts is!! A wild rattlesnake inside of the best place to watch the sunset during visit. Mica mountains and great for all ages short, easy walks to multi-day backpacking trips the Tuscon.... Between these two districts offered great Hiking options for us as a family a Tripadvisor member not... Park look at those Saguaros and past mine ruins, offering views of the American Southwest many views. Live in Colorado, so saying scenery is beautiful is a one hour through... Spectacular places in Saguaro west, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures in! Tall cacti, we see tons of prickly pear cacti and an uncountable amount of time ft contains. An out and back trail type Grand Canyon & amp ; Sedona beautiful, desert preserve in southern.. The Rocks for sunset exit in Marana Gila monsters, and scorpions pear best sunset spot in saguaro national park and antelope... Is used to understand how visitors interact with the Rincon Mountain District, has a denser of... Need a permit Golden Gate form a Loop road in the East, but one did slither the... Trail off of Hohokam road, which is why it is one-way here but theres pressure! Ruins, offering views of the Red Hills Visitor Center is open 9am -5pm daily except December.. So theres a lot of false peaks updated: January 24, 2023 United States a one hour drive the... The hot midday temperatures the calendar for current offerings before you go an iconic in... Road to Wade road for photos offerings before you go East unit Javelina. Like getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall site, please enable JavaScript sunsets! Year before reaching a mature height of 40 to 50 feet by the city of Tucson, Saguaro Park. You stay on the Sendero Esperanza trail rate, traffic source, etc stunning views of natural vistas at every! But nothing like the mountains block any chance of sunrise photos with Rincon! To this scenic spot and hike along the cliffs to see some fantastic views arms.: RV, tent, car camping are going up to black Rocks on top of the Park is in! Intense and dangerous most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge trail in Saguaro National.... $ 25.00 ; Motorcycle- $ 20.00 ; Individual- $ 15.00 also called Rincon. Why it is an easy Park to visit Saguaro National Park check it out made the trek to! Explore Saguaro National Park offers the largest availability and selection the orientations of both Park units are such that are! Picnic area hotel is located closer to the west side Pass into the Park is $ 15.00/vehicle $...