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. Day 6: Grand Canyon. Please heed the speed limit as road is narrow and twisty. Sunrise photography at Saguaro National Park can be challenging as the mountains often obstruct your views to the east. So you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and mixed conifer forest and even encounter wildlife like coati . Someone must have previously captured that rattlesnake, turquoise in the tail in not found in nature. Breakfast at White Tank Campground. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the Rincon Mountain District with stunning views of the desert landscape. A few times a year we get the kind of sunrise where the whole sky is full of pink or orange clouds lit from below as the sun rises. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. It was short, flat, and easy. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Best $15 we ever spent. Saguaro Sundown Pano. Viewing the lake rimmed by snow drifts is stunning! Sunset at Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, US. The best spot to catch sunset at the park is on the east side at either the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. Recommended Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson Tech Park Accommodation near Saguaro National Park East. The Signal Hill Picnic Area give you the opportunity to take a short hike while viewing petroglyphs. From the scenic Tumacacori National Historical Park to informative museums like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Sonoran Desert Museum, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about this areas rich history. Years ago, I walked almost to the top of that butte on the south side of the road as you enter the park. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. Delicate Arch seems to ignite with the flare and fire of the desert sun at sunset in Utah's Arches National Park. Their basic shape and sheer number of arms are fascinating to witness. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,670 ft to 8,666 ft and contains 6 biotic communities. There hundreds of miles of trails in Saguaro East, ranging from short, easy walks to multi-day backpacking trips. The 0.4 mile Desert Discovery Trail is a flat, paved walkway that takes you through saguaros, as well as other desert plants, with signage that talks about the plants and wildlife in the area. The hotel is located close to Saguaro National Park. For current status and frequent updates, check outSaguaros current conditions. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. 15 VERY BEST Things To Do In Saguaro National Park. The Ironwood Forest Trail is also west of the divide (I think I hiked this many years ago and it was all flat). 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. Hugh Norris Trail is one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. Budget: Hotel McCoy. Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. This is where we stayed. I never would have known about that road. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. 1. Situated just outside of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is a fantastic place to view the sunset. Additionally, you are at a high elevation with completely unobstructed westerly views. If you want a resort with swimming pools, restaurants, and outdoor activities, and a close location to Saguaro West, this is the place to stay. This hotel has a handy location just off of Route 10. Here are some of the best campgrounds and campsites inside and outside of Saguaro National Park: If camping isnt your thing, there are plenty of resorts, hotels, hostels, inns, cabins and B&Bs within a quick drive of Saguaro National Park. 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 whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. PETRIFIED FOREST: This small national park is an underrate gem. I was really just looking to take photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them. Although its good to be aware that there are rattlesnakes around, theyre nothing to fear and the typical visitor is not going to come into close contact with one. February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. Along the way, youll get up close to giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson. IMPORTANT! Valley View Overlook Trail. Turn left, and drive 14 miles on Sandario Road. 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. . Located both to the east and west of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is an iconic experience in the American Southwest. To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. We even saw a coyote on the Golden Gate Road towards the Sendero Esperanza trail. You can spend the night in a Saguaro-studded canyon, watch giant clouds of milling bats, or simply connect with nature at the foot of the magnificent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Otherwise you can shortchange yourself on the last miles of the loop, and the javelina rocks near the end offer great photo opportunities and some climbing.If you are a birder, turn left just before the end of the driving loop (a sign will alert you) and go to the picnic area. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. If you only have time for one, dont miss our article Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? The best time to capture Saguaro National Park photos is typically sunset as the westerly views are more open than the easterly. Hey it is a National Park look at those Saguaros! In the morning, the sun crests the Gila Mountains. Nice overview of Saguaro and very helpful, however if the goal is to get folks to visit a place like this, it would best to leave out the drama about rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. You don't see any of the city looking that way though, so you would be missing that. They would be closest to I-10 but is that area good for sunrise? . But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. 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. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. Privacy Policy Terms of Use, Cactus Garden strolls at either visitor center, Central and Stylish Midcentury Pool House, Marvel at Petroglyphs on the Signal Hill Trail, Bicycle the Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District, Catch Sunset for Epic Pictures in Saguaro National Park, Take an Air-Conditioned Drive on the Scenic Bajada Loop, Walk in the Dark During the Two-Hour Ranger-Led Night Hike, Visit in April through June to Catch the Saguaros in Bloom. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. We generally only post about places we visit for a longer amount of time. The monument was given official National Park status in 1994. 2/28/2023. Specialties: Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. 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. This trail is located in the North-Eastern part of the park and features a dreamy fire lookout. From the towering stands of saguaro cacti to the flower-filled grasslands, youll discover photographers greatest opportunities for picturesque scenes and unique photo opportunities along this well-maintained 16-mile loop. There is a parking lot at . 1. That road has an eastern view that is not of mountains, and it's lined with open desert. The park is technically open, however, but you will have to bike or hike in if you want to do any night photography in Saguaro National Park. See Ancient Petroglyphs on Signal Hill Trail (west) This short 0.3-mile hike takes you to ancient petroglyphs that are more than 800 years old. In addition to the convenient area, the rooms and amenities such as a pool will provide you with the relaxation youve been looking for. Saugaro National Park encompasses two separate sections: the Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain District) and Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District). 8. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Pay particular attention as you are going up to black rocks on top of the hill on your left (west?). Thanks for the recommendation. We were able to take . Thanks so much! Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. 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. 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