Saguaro National Park is located in southern Arizona, near the city of Tucson. It’s known for its iconic saguaro cacti, which are the largest cacti in the United States and can live for over 150 years. The park is divided into two districts: the Rincon Mountain District on the east and the Tucson Mountain District on the west. We visited both in April and it was already getting hot, so we only did a few shorter hikes. Both have a nice loop drive that is worth it.
Tucson Mountain District, West of Tucson
We did the Bajada Loop Drive, which is a gravel road, but accessible by all vehicles. It is a 6 miles loop?
We hiked the Valley view overlook trail. A short trail just off the road. However, we made a wrong turn and added about a mile to the hike, but it was safe and enjoyable.
Rincon Mountain District, East of Tucson
We did the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, which is a paved road and an 8 mile loop.
We hiked the Mica view and Cactus forest loop. This is an easy 2 mile loop with almost no elevation gain. The parking was difficult as we had to wait for a spot.
The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. In addition to the saguaro cacti, you can find a variety of desert plants and animals, including coyotes, javelinas, and desert tortoises. The park is a great spot for stargazing, with clear skies and minimal light pollution.
The best times to visit are typically in the spring and fall when the weather is milder.
We went in April and it was hot. The sides were similar to me and it is interesting that they are over an hour apart and not connected.