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Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ

Photo: Saguaro Pictures, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorIconicOutdoor Adventure

Saguaro National Park

3693 S Old Spanish Trail · Tucson, AZ

Why you should go…

Saguaro National Park has two separate districts, the Tucson Mountain District about 10 miles west of the city and the Rincon Mountain District about 10 miles east. In the east you can drive the 8.3-mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive, and in the west the unpaved 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive. About 165 miles of hiking trails cross both districts. The saguaro grows slowly, and in the park its first arms usually appear when the plant is 60 to 75 years old.

  • #national park
  • #saguaro cactus
  • #sonoran desert
  • #hiking
  • #scenic drive

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Saguaro National Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Pima Air & Space Museum

    Under $25

    Walk among about 400 historic aircraft spread across six indoor hangars and 80 acres of open desert display.

    8.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Reid Park Zoo

    Under $25

    A 24-acre city zoo in central Tucson with more than 500 animals from elephants to jaguars.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Tucson Botanical Gardens

    Under $25

    Wander themed gardens and desert plant collections across five acres in central Tucson.

    11 mi awayMore like this

  • Nightlife
    Date Night

    Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

    Free

    A Tohono O'odham Nation casino and hotel south of Tucson with a 24-hour gaming floor, restaurants and live entertainment.

    13 mi awaySwitch it up: Nightlife

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Southern Arizona

    Free

    A nonprofit alliance of Tucson-area attractions that jointly promotes tourism through a discount attractions passport.

    14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center

    Free

    Tucson's official downtown visitor center, offering maps, event info and travel advice for exploring Southern Arizona.

    14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing