At a glance
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. 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. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Guided Tours · Hiking · Backcountry Hiking · Front-Country Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Park Film
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
There are no NPS campgrounds inside the park. Lodging and private campgrounds are typically available nearby.
Best time to visit
Peak season: October – April. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
You can expect the Winter Season to have daytime temperatures from the low 50's to the high 70's. Whereas the Summer Season can result temperatures ranging from the mid-90's to low 110's. During the Summer season, it is highly recommended to restrict outdoor activities to before 10am, or after 4pm. Late Summer into early Fall is usually accompanied by heavy monsoon rains, resulting in cooler but more humid afternoons and evenings.
Flash flooding is a concern around this time of year.
Pack for Saguaro
Four things worth having for desert heat and long exposed miles. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Outdoor Research Echo sun hoodie
Sun protection without the sunscreen-on-your-arms routine. Dries in minutes.
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LMNT electrolytes
Water alone isn't enough on a hot day. One packet per bottle.
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Sun Bum sunscreen
High elevation sun is not the sun you're used to. Reapply at lunch.
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YETI Rambler bottle
Ice at the trailhead is still ice back at the car.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — The vehicle entrance pass is sold in the form of a dated register receipt and admits one privately owned, non-commercial vehicle into Saguaro National Park. This includes passenger cars, trucks, vans, recreational vehicles, campers, or converted buses used for private, recreational purposes.$25
- Entrance - Per Person — Individuals entering the park by means other than a motor vehicle may purchase individual entrance passes. This includes hikers, horseback riders and bicyclists. The individual entrance fee is charged to anyone 16 years of age or older.$15
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$20
Annual Entrance - Park: $45. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Tucson, AZ. Park center: 32.250°, -110.500°.
Saguaro National Park has two districts separated by the city of Tucson. The address for the Saguaro National Park West District is 2700 N Kinney Rd. We do not recommend using mobile mapping applications to search for either district. Instead, please click the link to the directions page, determine which district you plan to visit, and enter that physical address into the mobile application.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Tucson or Phoenix.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Saguaro National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25. Entrance - Per Person: $15. Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.
When is the best time to visit Saguaro?
Peak season is October – April. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. You can expect the Winter Season to have daytime temperatures from the low 50's to the high 70's. Whereas the Summer Season can result temperatures ranging from the mid-90's to low 110's. During the Summer season, it is highly recommended to restrict outdoor activities to before 10am, or after 4pm. Late Summer into early Fall is usually accompanied by heavy monsoon rains, resulting in cooler but more humid afternoons and evenings.
Can you camp in Saguaro National Park?
There are no NPS campgrounds inside the park; lodging and private campgrounds are available nearby.
What is the closest city to Saguaro National Park?
Tucson, AZ is the nearest major city. Saguaro National Park has two districts separated by the city of Tucson. The address for the Saguaro National Park West District is 2700 N Kinney Rd. We do not recommend using mobile mapping applications to search for either district. Instead, please click the link to the directions page, determine which district you plan to visit, and enter that physical address into the mobile application.
What are the best hikes in Saguaro?
Popular trails include Valley View Overlook Trail (0.5 mi), Signal Hill Trail (1.0 mi), Douglas Spring Trail (2.8 mi), Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (6.5 mi). The park has roughly 165 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.