July 30, 2018

Saguaro National Park

When I lived in Tucson, this was one of my favorite local adventure spots! I would often go after work, have a picnic in the back of my car – with the trunk popped open of course, + watch the incredible setting sun. Birds flew from cactus to cactus, rabbits made an appearance with their oversized ears, + lizards scurried about, trying to catch their next meal. Hiking on the most relaxing trails, especially after a good rain, was pure happiness to me. The towering saguaros really made me feel small + appreciative of the surrounding beauty of the desert!

ABOUT THE PARK

Saguaro National Park was established in 1933 by President Herbert Hoover in order to protect the special saguaro cactus! Saguaro National Park is made of two different districts, East (Rincon Mountain District) + West (Tucson Mountain District), which are divided by the City of Tucson. From district to district the drive is approximately 30-45 minutes.

SAGUAROS

This iconic green giant of the west has a lifespan up to 250 years, a white waxy flower, + provides a home to many species that live in Saguaro National Park! The cactus can grow to be up to 50 ft high + is the largest cactus in the United States!

TAKE A HIKE

Saguaro National Park’s two districts have over 165 miles of hiking trails! Short casual hikes + long wilderness hikes are both options at the park. Here are some hikes from the West district that I love:

Desert Discovery Nature Trail (.5 mile)

This calming tail surrounds you with giant saguaros + provides informational signs of plants + other creatures you may encounter. I went on this trail right after a monsoon + all of the desert life seemed to come alive + out from hiding! It’s located 1 mile after the Red Hills Visitor Center; you will see a parking lot to the left for the trail.

Valley View Overlook (.8 mile round trip)

Hike into the Sonoran Desert wilderness while you view the incredible views! This hike can be found along the Bajada Loop Drive (mentioned below)!

Signal Hill Petroglyphs (.5 mile)

This trail features interesting petroglyphs created by the Hohokam Native Americans who once roamed here around 450 to 1450 A.D. It has lovely desert + mountain views + little picnic spots to enjoy as well. Please do not touch or climb the rocks – they are an important part of American history! Let us do all we can to preserve its beauty.

BAJADA LOOP DRIVE

Drive on this 6 mile unpaved scenic path in the West district to see spectacular views of the foothills! There’s plenty of places to pull over if you want to enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, or hike.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

There are backcountry camping opportunities at 6 designated campgrounds within the park. All require a permit + can only be accessed via hiking. It’s $8 per campsite (per night), up to 6 people per site, + up to 18 people per hiking group. You may purchase permits 2 months prior to the stay but no later than noon on the day of the trip.

GOOD THINGS TO KNOW

Entrance passes are good at both locations up to 7 days after the date of purchase.
Busiest visiting time is November – March.
Cactus + wildflower blooms start in late February / early March (Saguaros bloom in late April).

SAFETY

Bring plenty of water! On hot summer days, drink 1 quart of water per hour when hiking. In the winter, drink 2 quarts per day. Make sure you pack enough for your hike + turn back when you only have half of your water left.
Pack electrolytes! Sports drinks or salty snacks will do the trick.
It gets hot! Take breaks when needed + recognize the signs of heat related illnesses. 10AM-4PM is the hottest time of the day.
Take a map! A compass as well. It’s always a smart idea to have a sense of direction.
Protect yourself! Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, + good hiking shoes (to prevent blisters).
Be aware! Know what types of plants are near so they don’t hurt you + know what to do if you encounter a wild animal (see below for plant + animal knowledge)
Flooding of the desert! Flash flooding occurs during monsoon season, which starts in August. If you see a storm approaching make sure to avoid dry riverbeds. If driving during a monsoon, do not cross areas of flooded road! During my days in Tucson I’ve personally seen people get stuck on flooded roads – it’s not fun!

PLANT + ANIMAL SAFETY

Cacti: Watch out for those spikes, especially the cholla cactus! Often referred to as the teddy bear cactus, the cholla have barbed spikes that fall off + sink into the skin with just the slightest brush. It is painful + difficult to remove, so really try to stay away from them! Carry tweezers with you for emergency situations.

Snakes: 6 species of rattlesnakes can be found in Saguaro National Park. You’ll find them in the shade or under rocks. If bitten, try not to move (maintain a slower blood flow) + call 911.

Bees: Africanized honey bees live here as well. They will attack only when threatened. If a swarm attacks, run away as fast as you can – they will give up when you are ¼ to a ½ mile away. If stung, try to remove the stinger + call 911.

Mountain Lion: A mountain lion spotting is rare. To prevent mountain lion encounters do not run or jog alone, keep children close, + keep a clean campsite. If you encounter one stay calm, yell loudly, + don’t run! Make eye contact + make yourself as large + as scary as possible. If attacked, fight back with all you have!

ACTIVITIES CLOSE BY

Right down the road from Saguaro National Park West is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! It’s is a combination of a zoo, natural history museum, botanical garden, art gallery, + aquarium that discusses all you need to know about life in the desert! On the East side, check out Mount Lemmon, a mountainous breezy oasis! If you’d enjoy a waterfall hike, I recommend Tanque Verde Falls, which is also close to Saguaro National Park East!

WATCH THE SUNSET

Finally after you’ve completed a satisfying day at Saguaro National Park, chill out in your car + watch the sunset. As I mentioned above I’ve lived in Tucson for a summer + nearly every evening the sky put on a spectacular show! Complete with the silhouette of the mountains + the fiery hot hues of the sky, you’re sure to be amazed!