Experience the Sonoran Desert in the parks most dramatic landscape, Cactus Forest Drive. During our visit on June 12, all of the cacti had already finished blooming. With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. This site has been a popular attraction among hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts for decades. The elevation gain for this trail is 291 feet, and it is located in the west district of Saguaro National Park. 14-24mm or similar. This is often dubbed one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. 2. Flash floods and rain can make this road impassable, even if you have a 44. Personally, I like to start off long strenuous hikes either at sunrise or a little before sunrise. But for sunset, I can go anywhere and will explore the area. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Note that the Hugh Norris Trail is a steep one! The Grand Canyon draws astrotourists all year long, especially in the month of June when they host their annual star party. To reserve your spot call the visitor center at 520-733-5158. The hotel is located close to Saguaro National Park. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. 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. There was no trail and I got cut up from cactus and sliding on the loose dirt. . Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort; 8. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Signal Hill Picnic Area give you the opportunity to take a short hike while viewing petroglyphs. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, Best Things to do in Saguaro National Park, More Information for Your Trip to Arizona. District and its trails to the western district. Hello Joe. That was my main goal. Ask . Mini Adventures. Photo by Catherine Parker. If you like the idea of hiking, consider the hike to Wassen Peak. 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. East Saguaro is known as the Rincon Mountain District (RMD). A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. Be sure to check out our additional. The other trails take off into the wash. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. Thanks for writing in! The hotels comfort is superb and they have an outdoor pool that will help cool down after a day of heat within the Park. Saguaro National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. Cheers, Julie. This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. It was short, flat, and easy. The best I can think to do is actually drive north on I-10, to Park Link Road. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! Check the calendar for current offerings before you go. Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. (520) 733-5159. Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. However, there are some places in Saguaro West that are spectacular for sunrise photography as well. One of the most magical places to experience a sunset in Washington State is Fremont Lookout, located in Mount Rainier National Park. This 2-mile round trip trail is flat and easy to walk. Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. The only rule here? LOVE THE NATIONAL PARKS?Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers. One trail is handicap accessible and paved.Allot plenty of time, 3 or 4 hours. This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails and roads with more people here. Best Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park. . The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. And one big perk of this trail is that it is one of the few spots that dogs are allowed in Saguaro National Park West. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. This is a photo of the welcome sign in Saguaro National Park. I will check it out. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. Also don't forget to catch the sunrise (or sunset) at Delicate Arch. Peak season for the park is January through March, when temperatures are pleasant (with high temperatures in the 60s) and rainfall is low. Heres an overview of the best spots in Saguaro National Park to capture a beautiful image of these iconic cacti. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . This is an 8-mile loop through Saguaro East. On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from . 531. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Your email address will not be published. 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. They can grow up to 49 arms. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Loma Verde Trail. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. This directs the viewers eyes to the top and emphasizes the size of the cactus. On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. This Tucson Mountain adventure will show you some of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. 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. This trail is ranked moderate, and it is a good place for hiking, birdwatching, and walking during your visit to Saguaro National Park. 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. Beautiful scenery and great gift shop! This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its two sections lie on opposite sides of the Tucson metropolitan area. Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. There are two separate sections to the park. Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. A list of hikes is below. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Saguaro Sundown Pano. Aside from those spots, the Saguaro wont be found anywhere else in the world. The park offers several opportunities for adventure, from short walks to overnight backpacking trips. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. We Dream of Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Sweetwater Trail leading to Wasson Peak. West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). Thanks so much! If you plan on visiting a few National Parks this year, the best deal for most people is the Interagency Annual Pass, affectionately called the America the Beautiful pass. Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!! The best way to get around Tucson is to hire a car. Thanks Alex! Or, walk a section of the Hugh Norris Trail or the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Valley View Overlook overlaps a few other trails. Next . . Best activities in Tucson: Hot air balloon adventure with breakfast and champagne; Box Canyon and Pinal Mountains ATV adventure; Botanical Gardens; San Xavier del Bac Mission 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. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. 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). Someone must have previously captured that rattlesnake, turquoise in the tail in not found in nature. For current status and frequent updates, check outSaguaros current conditions. In mid-June, monsoon season begins. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. The Bajada Scenic Loop is not paved and this section is closer to the city. You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. If you are traveling with kids, this place is great. Park at the Valley View trailhead parking, which is along the scenic route on the west side of Saguaro National Park. Saguaro is pronounced sa-WAH-roh.. To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Saguaro is one of the most creative cacti on the planet, and to thank them for their beauty, we gave them their very own spot: Saguaro National Park. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Take the trail that leads up to this scenic spot and hike along the cliffs to see some fantastic views. Along the road are some partial mountain saddles. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. The Gould Mine Trail provides one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. To help plan the best national park trip ever, . There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. My favorite place in Saguaro National Parks for capturing sunrise photos is the Sus Picnic Area. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. I never would have known about that road. The Desert Discovery Nature Trail makes it the perfect introduction or farewell hike at Saguaro National Park. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. : Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. On this short trail you will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the park. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Call the park's visitor center at 520-733-5158 for updates the day of the program. We spent several hours in Saguaro East and then checked into our hotel in Tucson. Looks cools though. 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. There are many beautiful views but a lot of false peaks. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots, Rustic Canopy At Overlook Arizona Sonora Desert Museum In Tucson. This hotel has a handy location just off of Route 10. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the overlook. Budget: Hotel McCoy. Breakfast at White Tank Campground. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Delicate Arch seems to ignite with the flare and fire of the desert sun at sunset in Utah's Arches National Park. But it was still incredibly hot in June, hitting 95F by 8:30 am. It is adult only. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Campsite type: RV, tent, car camping. One of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park, the Arizona desert is an ideal location for hiking, camping, and birdwatching. The Saguaro Cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. Ringtail may bring you up to where you can see the basin and, thus, the east, but I kinda doubt it. Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A swimming pool with a slide and a putting green are here for your enjoyment but the real attraction are the mini donkeys, goats and rescue horses you get to hang out with. For this reason, photographers hoping for a sunrise photoshoot should go to the West section. Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Hike through the saguaro cactus forest and spot wildlife on our nature trails, or simply relax in one of our shaded picnic areas. Hohokam Petroglyphs at Signal Hill. Photo: Dan Nevill. 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. The park is home to the only scenic drive, one for each district. As dusk falls, the setting sun turns a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a Monet painting. 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. 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. Gates Pass is what locals seem to favor as the top sunset spot. We were able to take . Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park West is rugged and sharp, beautiful cacti-clad mountains all around you. For links to all of our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona Travel Guide. The accommodations are exquisite as well. It is also far less crowded. Tucson, AZ 85743. This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. The Bajada Loop drive is a 6-mile graded dirt road. On day 2, we visited Saguaro West, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. 1. Set on two separate sides of the city of Tuscon, Saguaro National Park showcases the Sonoran Desert. Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park. Admission to the park is $15.00/vehicle, $10.00/motorcycle, or $5.00/person and $5.00/bicycle. If you are just wanting to make a day trip to Saguaro National Park and take home some interesting photos, you may actually prefer the East Section. With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. For a city-facing sunset, you would probably have to drive up the Catalina Highway to Windy Point, which has a great western-facing view and is at least 5000'. Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid 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. 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