The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from . To get between these two sections of the park, it is a one hour drive through the city of Tucson. East Saguaro is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD). Required fields are marked *. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. LOVE THE NATIONAL PARKS?Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers. 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 I-10/Ina area has an eastern sky full of the Santa Catalinas. This was one of our favorite walks in the park since we walked through one of the densest populations of cacti. Hike through the saguaro cactus forest and spot wildlife on our nature trails, or simply relax in one of our shaded picnic areas. But we also checked out a few smaller sites, events, and hikes in the park that are worth mentioning. Next . Best Sunset Spot in Tucson/Saguaro National park I'm going to be driving through Tucson/Saguaro NP as part of a larger road trip and I was wondering if anyone new a spot that is great for viewing the sunsets with lots of saguaros and not a lot of people. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. The Grand Canyon draws astrotourists all year long, especially in the month of June when they host their annual star party. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Best Saguaro National Park Scenic Drive Mar 26, 2016; Desert in bloom Mar 25, 2016; Do I need a 4WD in late March? Hi, I was wondering if anyone has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. guides. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. I visited the west side: Tucson Mountain District. 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. However, the Rincon Mountains form a nice backdrop for photography. 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! From the towering stands of saguaro cacti to the flower-filled grasslands, youll discover photographers greatest opportunities for picturesque scenes and unique photo opportunities along this well-maintained 16-mile loop. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Yuma's restored wetlands of cottonwood, willow and mesquite trees are a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. The road is well-maintained and is suitable for cars. If you are traveling with kids, this place is great. Best $15 we ever spent. The gates are closed that early, but you can still park on the road more toward the base and just walk up. 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. The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. You can see the full list here. February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. . Ranger programs are available year round in Saguaro National Park, but the January through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection. Saguaro National Park was definitely the highlight. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. Cost: $25 per vehicle. The Rincons cover the eastern horizon, and they get up to 9000' with Mica Mountain, so the sunrise you're seeing is not the sunrise as it goes over the horizon. This park protects the Saguaro cactus on a tract of land through the Sonoran Desert. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. 8. West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. Plenty of birds to see: rock wren, cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, canyon towhee, gila woodpecker, black-chinned sparrows and more.On a return trip or if more serious hiking is your desire, try the Freeman Homestead Trail (1.1 mile loop; halfway to the picnic area, with some good birding as you traverse a wash are) or the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (8 mile in and out; more rigorous and to higher elevation, but you can turn around any time). We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. This is not part of the national park but if you want to learn more about the desert ecosystem, this is a great place to visit. Moonlight Programs To do this, you will need a permit. Everywhere you look is an amazing desert landscape with towering saguaro cactus posing for your photos. Absolutely beautiful! 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. Sunset at Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, US. Sunsets are dramatic and beautiful in the desert. 18 Free Saguaro National Park Boondocking Spots; 1. If you visit in the summer months, be prepared for temperatures reaching above 110 and be prepared with proper sun protection and plenty of water. Sunrise Sunset Times of Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA Location: United States > Arizona > Pima County > Tucson > Timezone: America/Phoenix. The fact that it's a saguaro forest has to be seen to be believed. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. 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. They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. If it has rained, or if rainfall is in the forecast, check conditions on the national park website or at the visitor center to see if the road is open. The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, has a denser population of cacti. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. Saguaros can live up to 200 years (although some sources state that they can live even longer than this). 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. In Saguaro, skies are clear and trails areplentiful. Ask . Short walks at Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks. The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Alternatively, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Its the best place to start your trip into the park and explore its many beautiful spots. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60021876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson, so if the sign is still up, do take the warning seriously. We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107F. I never would have known about that road. When we have visitors, Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, Arizona, is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60041637', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson doesn't have the most spectacular sunrises. Beautiful scenery and great gift shop! My family spent several hours here, both at the East and West side. Flash floods and rain can make this road impassable, even if you have a 44. Nearby Resorts. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. Mini Adventures. The slow-growing saguaro cacti rise an inch or two each year before reaching a mature height of 40 to 50 feet. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. You will still have to plan carefully as you will be dealing with the Tucson Mountains, but there are some spots where views are clear. But now I am not so sure, if the mountains block any chance of sunrise photos with the cactus. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. Guess I can try that. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. 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. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. Distance: 3.8 miles. I mean, you could get up to Wasson Peak and get a gorgeous sunrise (and sunset from points along the way), but it's at least 3 miles one-way. No touching. 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. 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. 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . To help plan the best national park trip ever, . On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. 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. The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Saguaro National Park is unique in that its 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson. Temperatures are still somewhat reasonable for the Arizona desert and the saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom. 2/28/2023. Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. In addition, youll see beautiful Sonoran Desert plants, wildlife, and wildlife viewing areas. This was high on our list do to but we skipped it due to high temperatures in the park. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. 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. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. Saguaro Cactus. Saguaro National Park is comprised of two districts, East and West, that preserve thousands of acres of this region's most recognizable monarch of a cactus the saguaro. This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. Hohokam Road ends at Golden Gate Road. While in Saguaro National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. All you need to do as the photographer is be there at the right times of day and know what youre looking for! Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. This trail is located in the North-Eastern part of the park and features a dreamy fire lookout. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. Despite its name, youll soon realize the Gila Monster is actually adorable. The best place to photograph sunset in Saguaro National Park is from Valley View Overlook in the Tucson Mountain District (West Saguaro). This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. Admission to the park is $15.00/vehicle, $10.00/motorcycle, or $5.00/person and $5.00/bicycle. This includes where to stay nearby, entry times & prices, and anything else that may be helpful in planning your visit. Saguaros live for generations, some with lifespans of up to 200 years. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. 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! Turn left on the Hugh Norris Trail (head east) and take this to the top of Wassen Peak. Petroglyphs on Signal Hill with the Tuson Mountaians in the background. Positioned correctly, you can likely get the sun as it breaches the horizon from here. The park is home to the only scenic drive, one for each district. However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Loma Verde Trail. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. 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. Besides the . Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Valley View Overlook Trail. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. Taking home beautiful Saguaro National Park photos is as easy as setting your watch. I think the inherent problem in trying to get a good sunrise or sunset at Saguaro is the fact that most of the best spots involve a hike, and you get almost zero pre-dawn and post-dusk light in Tucson. . With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. Years ago, I walked almost to the top of that butte on the south side of the road as you enter the park. A lot of people climb up onto the rocks for sunset. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Bajada Loop Drive. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. The Hohokam Petroglyph site is a striking example of what can be seen while exploring Saguaro National Park. Best $15 we ever spent. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. 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. Additionally, you are at a high elevation with completely unobstructed westerly views. There are many beautiful views but a lot of false peaks. In fact, its one of our picks for a national park to visit in February. However, because they are rare the odds of finding them are improved in places where there are numerous saguaro cacti. For a big adventure, hike to the top of Wassen Peak. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. There are many places to choose from in Tucson, with an abundance of chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. 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