Saguaro National Park is one of the three National Parks in Arizona. Located in Tucson, it is divided into two districts: Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain) and Saguaro East (Rincon Mountain). One day in Saguaro National Park is the perfect addition to a Tucson and Arizona trip and a fun long weekend getaway. It is a great park for hiking and taking in gorgeous view.
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History of Saguaro National Park
The Hokam Indians were the first people to settle in the area from the years 200 to 1450. In 1539, the Spanish explorers entered the area and began to settle in the regions. In 1692, the founding of San Xavier Mission brought about more Spanish settlers. During this time, the land that will become Saguaro National Park remained pretty much unsettled until the Homestead Act of 1862. Eventually, homesteaders began to settle near the Tucson and Rincon Mountains.
Throughout the years, interest in preserving the saguaro grew until 1933, when it officially became a National Monument. After that the Civilian Conservation Corps built the Cactus Forest Loop drive as well as some of the other buildings. Finally in 1994, Saguaro became a National Park.
Best Time to Visit
Since Saguaro National Park is located in a desert, avoid visiting during the hot summer months. The trails will not be conducive for hiking during that time. Opt instead to spend one day in Saguaro National Park during the fall, spring, or winter months.
How to Get to Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is located in the middle of Tucson. You can opt to fly into Tucson International Airport. There are many flights here from all over the United States. Sometimes it can be cheaper to fly into Phoenix, so you can also check there for a better deal. Phoenix is about an 1 hour 45 minute drive to Tucson.
To get to Saguaro West, head to Kinney Road. From there, turn right on Kinney Road and drive 4 miles to Mile Wide Roads. Then, turn right and continue following the road for one mile to the Red Hills Visitor Center.
To get to Saguaro East, head east on Broadway to Freeman Road. Turn right on Freeman Road and go 3 miles to get to the Old Spanish Trail. From there, head to the park entrance on the left side of the road.
Transportation Around Saguaro National Park
You will need a car to get around Tucson and for spending one day in Saguaro National Park, especially since the park is divided into two sections. I recommend using Autoslash to find a rental car as they usually have the best rates.
Hours and Admission
The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) is open from 5am-8pm in summer and 5am-6pm in the winter. The visitors centers are open Thursday to Sunday, 9am-5pm. To get into the park, it costs $25/car and it is good for 7 days. If you are going to be visiting several National Parks, opt to buy an America the Beautiful Pass to save some money!
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Tuscon hotels here!
Tucson has a lot of fun hotels and areas to stay in. If you are looking for the cheapest area that is convenient to both sides of the park, opt to stay near the airport. You can find plenty of nice hotels in this area for under $100/night. If you want a bit of a more unique stay, check out Hotel Congress in the Downtown area.
Jordan from the Homebody Tourist also has some great lodging recommendations near Saguaro National Park.
What to See During One Day at Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park contains over 30 different hiking trails that range from short and easy to strenuous. You can easily do several of the shorter ones in a day. Start your one day in Saguaro National Park at the Saguaro West Tucson Mountain District.
Saguaro West: Tucson Mountain District
Desert Discovery Trail
Distance: 0.4 miles round trip
This short hike will be the perfect warm up to start your one day in Saguaro National Park. The Desert Discovery Trail is an easy walking trail that features various saguaro cacti and wildflowers.
Bajada Scenic Loop
Next, head out on the Bajada Scenic Loop. This drive is a must when spending one day in Saguaro National Park. Although it is majority on an unpaved road, the journey through a forest of saguaro cacti makes it worth the bumpy drive. Along the way are several trailheads to stop at. In total, the Bajada Scenic Loop is a 6 mile drive.
Valley View Overlook Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles round trip
The first trailhead you will want to stop at along the Bajada Scenic Loop is the Valley View Overlook Trail. This 0.6 mile trail out and back trail amazing views of a valley full of Saguaro Cacti. It is a pretty easy trail with not much elevation. Keep in mind there is no shade along this trail, so bring lots of water and hike early.
Signal Hill Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles round trip
The Signal Hill Trail is another easy trail to complete during one day in Saguaro National Park. It is located towards the end of the Bajada Scenic Loop and is an out and back trail. Along this trail, look for various Petroglyphs among the rocks. When you get to the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with views of Saguaro cacti spread out all around you. There are a few steps along this trail and not too much of an incline.
Grab some Lunch
After finishing the Bajada Scenic Loops and the morning hikes, grab some lunch before heading to the Saguaro East Rincon Mountain District. In between the two areas of the park are plenty of food options to stop at. If you want a more relaxed lunch, stop in the downtown area for one of the many restaurant options there. For a quicker lunch, grab fast food from Whataburger or In N Out.
Saguaro East: Rincon Mountain District
Cactus Forest Drive Loop
The first stop in the Rincon Mountain District when spending when day in Saguaro National Park is the Cactus Forest Drive Loop. This 8-mile, one way paved road will get you to the trailheads for the majority of the hikes in this side of the park. It is open sunrise to sunset and will give you a glimpse into Sonoran Desert life.
Mica View Loop Trail/Cactus Forest Trail
Distance: 1.9-mile loop
The Mica View Loop Trail and the Cactus Forest Trail is the main trail you will want to complete in the Rincon Mountain District of the park. You will want to start this trail from the Mica View Picnic area. It takes you through a bunch of Saguaro to the edge of the park.
Once you hit the Broadway trailhead, take the Cactus Forest Trail back to the Mica View Picnic Area. In total this forms a 1.9 mile loop through endless Saguaro. It is the perfect hike to take during one day in Saguaro National Park.
Desert Ecology Trail
Distance: 0.3 mile loop
For the last hike of the day, head out to the Desert Ecology Trail. This is a very flat and easy trail through the desert. This is a great trail to get pictures of some really tall cacti.
More Than One Day at Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro seriously has an endless amount of hikes you could take. You could easily spend more than one day in Saguaro National Park exploring what it has to offer. If you have more time, I suggest taking one day to explore each side of the park.
Other Hikes in Saguaro West
Wild Dog Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
This trail connects the Valley View Trail and the Signal Hill Trail. It is a good option if you want to do those hikes, but do not want to move your car.
Vertical Cliffs Trail
Distance: 2.6-4 miles round trip
The Vertical Cliffs Trail is in the north east portion of the Tucson Mountain District. This trail has a short option or a longer option. You can also connect it to the Abington Trail. These trails take you through many Saguaro cacti and give you great views of the area.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Although not technically part of Saguaro National Park, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is attached to the Western portion of the park. It is a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, and gardens. It costs $22 to get it, but can easily keep you busy for half a day.
Other Hikes in Saguaro East
Cactus Forest Trail (Inside Loop)
Distance: 5 miles
The Cactus Forest Trail continues throughout a good portion of the Rincon Mountain District. If you have more time, plan on hiking a longer portion of this trail that takes you to the remains of lime kilns and Lime Falls.
Ridgeview Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles
This trail takes you to a moderately steep trail with views of Rincon Peak.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the National Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.
Tips for Spending One Day in Saguaro National Park
- Wear a hat and sunscreen as even in the wintertime, the sun is strong.
- Bring lots of water. This is the desert so you will need to stay hydrated.
- Wear cool and comfortable clothes and layer them.
- Your shoes will get dusty.
One day in Saguaro National Park is a fun stop as part of an Arizona trip. If you have more time, make sure to spend some time in Phoenix as there are a ton of cheap things to do there. You can also head east to the wine tasting region of Willcox and then head to White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
