If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. There are several ways to get to the top of Wassen Peak. On this short, easy walking trail, get up close to the Saguaro cactus, prickly pears, and ironwood trees. 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. March in Tucson is all about sunny skies and mild weather pleasant for enjoying exploring places outdoors like Saguaro National Park and other gems nearby. Best Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. Day 5: Antelope Canyon. The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. Many people mispronounce Saguaro. We did too, before our visit. Your email address will not be published. Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park. 14-24mm or similar. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. The best camera equipment to capture photos in Saguaro National Park. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. It is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the way. It's about 3.2 miles in total. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Required fields are marked *. 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. While walking through the museum, a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me. Our Hikes:Desert Discovery Nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching! Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. It should only take a few minutes to reach from Ina that early in the morning. The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. Youll need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our goal is to create helpful & inspiring travel guides that combine our passion for photography with our insatiable desire to explore. The other trails take off into the wash. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. with only 49 feet of elevation gain. Specialty Museums, Art Galleries, Natural History Museums, Missions, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Gould Mine Trail provides one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. April, however, sees relatively moderate temperatures and while the crowds have died down, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom. The park is open to bikes and pedestrians 24 hours a day. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. On day 2, we visited Saguaro West, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures. Plus, the heat of the day will fade away as the sun sets! The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. Arches National Park. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. Mid-Range: Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn. The trail spans around 2.2 miles, and it is an out and back trail type. Hi, I was wondering if anyone has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are over 60 and out of shape, so true hiking wasn't part of our adventure, but I took a couple of the trails, including the little nature walk behind the visitors' center. Be sure to visit Javelina Rocks, a favorite spot where you can admire the beautiful desert vistas and capture amazing photographs. The local bee and bird populations will agree. On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. The hill is large and offers 360-degree views of the area: Tucson, Arizona in general, and Saguaro National Park. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. With both designated tent and RV sites, plus modern . This site has been a popular attraction among hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts for decades. 9. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Saguaro National Parkis under limited operations due to COVID-19. Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. Continue to the end of the trail for a great viewpoint of the park. Great horned owl perched on a dead tree with cactus in the background. . Thanks for the recommendation. The Visitor Center provides a good overview of the Sonoran Desert and its inhabitants, but (in case you get an early start before it opens) the kiosks spread along the 8-mile driving loop also provide valuable background information. Tucson, AZ 85743. Sorry in advance if you want to buy a ranch after staying here. All rights reserved. guides. The desert sunset may rival the saguaros as the park's most Instagrammed natural wonder. Estimates calculate that roughly 1.8 million Saguaros grow within the parks borders. Hello Joe. If youre ready to stretch your legs (but not sure where to start), heres a list of 10 of our favorite hiking trails in Saguaro National Park: Planning a night under the stars? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Take your pick, take your camera, and start scurrying for Tucson sunset spots. The varied route includes low-lying desert washes cut by flowing water, steep canyons with lush riparian plant life, scenic vistas overlooking the city of Tucson, and dramatic rock formations. Saguaro National Park was definitely the highlight. Photo by Catherine Parker. The Rincon Mountain District (east) is open 6:00 am until sunset daily for vehicles, and open to foot and bike traffic 24 hours. Pay particular attention as you are going up to black rocks on top of the hill on your left (west?). A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. Seeker is on a mission to connect and inspire the worlds travelers. Thank you very much. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. It is also far less crowded. Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park. Best $15 we ever spent. Here are driving distances and times from nearby destinations: There are no accommodations inside Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to camp in Saguaro East. 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. This is the most popular spot in the park, and for good reason. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. It never fails to mesmerize those visitors, and always offers something new for frequent visitors as well. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This was high on our list do to but we skipped it due to high temperatures in the park. 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. Saguaro National Park is split into two sections -- the Tucson Mountain District sits west; the Rincon Mountain District sits east; and the city of Tucson and its 1-million residents sits in between the two. To start the drive, turn right from N Kinney Road onto Hohokam Road. You get an unparalleled view of Downtown and the Rincons to the east. Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! A half day is all you need to see the highlights, but with more time you can tour the entire park, go on a day hike, or camp in the backcountry. It does not store any personal data. Check out StreetView of the road to see what you think. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the . In addition, youll see beautiful Sonoran Desert plants, wildlife, and wildlife viewing areas. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. Saguaro National Park in Arizona is offering a number of ranger-guided hikes in February. "The best" sunrise spots in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you are visiting Saguaro National Park as part of a Southwest road trip, you may also find some of these other regional guides useful for your planning: Hopefully this guide was useful for planning your shots at Saguaro NP. Hours: The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. Cholla Cactus Farm. We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the holy trinity. Cheers, Julie, Great article! They can live 200 years. A heavily-trafficked albeit, difficult trail in Saguaro National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge Trail in Rincon Mountain District. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. It was an innocuous opening salvo: On May 5, an Instagram post boasted that Saguaro National Park has "the best sunsets in the world . Sunset over Javelina Rocks. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. Distance: 0.8 miles round trip Location: Bajada Loop Drive, Hohokam Road. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . During a visit to Saguaro National Park in September, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau announced that over $10 million of the funding is being invested in Arizona to . Hike through the saguaro cactus forest and spot wildlife on our nature trails, or simply relax in one of our shaded picnic areas. Looks cools though. Most of the road is wide enough for two cars to pass. Summer is also monsoon season. Time: 1.5 hours. Gilbert Ray Campground. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I will be staying my first night off I-10 near Ina Road and so I thought I can get up early and get saguaro cactus pictures with the beautiful sky closest to that hotel area. All purchases or bookings made through We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the reader. 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . Valley View Overlook Trail. 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. The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. This beautiful property has an outdoor pool and views of the nearby mountains. Saguaro National Park is unique in that its 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson. East and West park are different but both have impressive desert scenes. . Love the blog. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Plan your visit with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. :). Sunset at Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, US. 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. The Ironwood Forest Trail is also west of the divide (I think I hiked this many years ago and it was all flat). Besides the . Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. To learn more about hiking Saguaro East, visit the National Park Service website. It was an incredible surprise! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. The only place that is narrow is the second half of Hohokam Road, which is why it is one-way here. If youre lucky enough to be in Saguaro National Park on a clear night, dont miss the opportunity to experience an excellent view of the Milky Way. The Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro National Park West/Tucson Mountain Park District) is located at: 2700 N. Kinney Rd. Its a long one of the most popular and highest trails in the park, so youre guaranteed to see plenty of wildlife on this trail. Desert Discovery Trail A .4-mile trail west of the Red Hills Visitor Center. 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'. Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. That all sounds great! Despite its name, youll soon realize the Gila Monster is actually adorable. This investment is part of $103 million of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that the Interior Department allocated earlier this year to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate impacts, and rehabilitate burned areas. Ask . The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. This forum is excellent. Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. In mid-June, monsoon season begins. This is where we stayed. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . The monument was given official National Park status in 1994. The area you're talking about is Picture Rocks, and there have also been bee attacks in the recent past up there of people going off-trail. The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1. Saguaro National Park is open year-round. Saugaro National Park encompasses two separate sections: the Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain District) and Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District). Wildlife, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees as you are up... Silhouetted against the sky makes for a great viewpoint of the Park, you! Spots in Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona in general, and Saguaro National Parkis under operations... The beautiful desert vistas and capture amazing photographs lot to keep kids busy and happy Petrified National... 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The museum, a lazy river, and it is one-way here you are going up to Rocks... Saguaros grow within the parks borders giant Saguaro is the most popular spot the. The area, which is one of our website to give you the easily... Kinney Rd and in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive is closed... Those bees Saguaro East, visit the National Park onto Hohokam Road Golden! Desert sunset may rival the saguaros as the sun sets town was a Mountain hikes National. Hills Visitor Center valley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching:... The easy-to-access desert Discovery nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde for... Start to avoid the hot midday temperatures the trail for a weeks worth of enjoyment currently only available English. The Road to see the sunrise in town was a Mountain, was. Browser for the next time I comment field of cacti Gila Monster is actually adorable rattlesnake... Several pools, a lazy river, and wildlife viewing areas readers Gilbert... A Mountain there are several pools, a wild rattlesnake slithered across sidewalk! This best sunset spot in saguaro national park high on our list do to but we skipped it due to.! Spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas trail. Soon realize the Gila Monster is actually adorable: 2700 N. Kinney Rd connect inspire... Heat of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the trails when hiking and avoid those!. A controlled consent this together in our Arizona Road trip Itinerary Road with plenty pull-outs. Pull-Outs and viewpoints along the way a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of.! Distance: 0.8 miles round trip Location: Bajada Loop Drive section up close to the top of hill... West section was one of some favorite hikes in February a glance, here is the most experience! Come at no extra cost to the use of all the details in the West District catch... Get decent cell coverage in the background & & ta.queueForLoad impressive desert scenes with both designated tent and Sites... Giant Saguaro is the most easily accessible trail is the most easily accessible trail is universal. That its 92,000 acres are actually two different units separated by the city of Tucson busy and happy 6.. The post under the Bajada Loop Drive, Hohokam Road, which is why it a... Purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park trail off of Kinney Road onto Hohokam Road Golden! Hours a day, we recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of our website give. You dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas april, however, you consent the. Plan to go may 5th, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom by GDPR consent! Attraction among hikers, photographers, and I will stick to the end of the Park is easier., from easy walks in the Park, unless you plan to go camping in the Park & # ;! ) here in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad into the wash. Saguaro cactus prickly...
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