The Saguaro National Park is located in Pima County, Arizona near Tucson. The park is divided into two districts. One district is within the Tucson Mountain District to the west of Tucson and the other is within the Rincon Mountain District to the east of Tucson. The name “Saguaro” comes from the saguaro cactus which is one of the many varieties of cacti in the area. The Saguaro National Park covers over 90,000 acres and is part of the United States National Park System. Although the park begins in the Sonora Desert it transforms to forest as it transitions from the desert floor to the Rincon Mountains.
Saguaro National Park
3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, Arizona 85730
Visiting Saguaro National Park
The fee for entering Saguaro National Park is $10 per private vehicle and $5.00 for individuals arriving on a bicycle or on foot. The receipt is valid for 7 days in both cases. As mentioned above the Saguaro National Park is divided into 2 sections. These east and west districts are approximately 30 miles apart. The majority of visitors come to Saguaro National Park during the months of November through April as the summer months can bring heat over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you decide to visit Saguaro during the summer months bring a hat, plenty of water and sunscreen. The park is open from 7:00 AM to sunset each day except Christmas when it is closed.
Cycling and Hiking in Saguaro National Park
There are cycling and hiking opportunities in Saguaro. In the eastern area of Saguaro in the Rincon Mountain District cyclists can take the Cactus Forest Loop Drive and enjoy the scenic wonders from their bicycle. The Cactus Forest Loop Drive is an eight mile paved loop with plenty to see along the way. In the western side of the park in the Tucson Mountain District cyclists can take the Bajada Loop Drive. This is a six mile gravel loop that is well suited for mountain bikes. As discussed above if you are cycling or hiking in the summer months bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Both Saguaro districts also have hiking trails available. The hikes can be short informal walks through existing trails or a day long wilderness hike covering many miles. In either case there are 165 miles of hiking trails available in Saguaro. If you are planning on hiking and camping a permit is required.
Hotels Near Saguaro National Park
If you are looking for a hotel near Saguaro National Park the City of Tucson has many lodging options available. The hotels run the full range from the Super 8 Motel in eat Tucson to the Radisson Suites in Tucson. There are also many cabins, lodges and resorts in Tucson and the surrounding area. You may also be interested in camping in Saguaro and there are many camping areas in and around the Tucson area.
