Saguaro National Park Guide

Ask a child to draw a picture of a cactus and chances are you'll get a reasonable facsimile of a saguaro cactus. These giants of the cactus world are the quintessential image of America's southwestern deserts and as such are familiar to one and all, young and old. However, what many people don't know is that saguaros, which can grow up to 50 feet tall and weigh more than eight tons, are native only to the hot lowland regions of the Sonoran Desert, a finger of which reaches from Mexico into southern Arizona. Read More »

Saguaro National Park Highlights

Although the park's namesake cacti are its reason to be, the best reason to visit the park is to immerse yourself in this exemplary bit of the unusual Sonoran landscape. The Sonoran Desert is sometimes called the Green Desert, as it receives an average of 12 inches of rain each year and is considered one of the lushest, most biologically diverse deserts on earth.
The Cactus Forest Trail System in the park's Rincon Mountain District offers about 40 miles of interconnecting trails. Those in the west cross gentle terrain; farther east the hills become more rugged and scenic.
For road bikers, Cactus Forest Drive winds through the foothills of the Rincon Mountains with many fine views on an eight-mile paved loop. You can detour to Mica View Picnic Area in the north and Javelina Picnic Area in the south.
Mica Mountain at 8,666 feet is the highest summit in the Saguaro Wilderness. As it's far from trailheads, you need to plan on a multi-day trip, staying at one of the six designated campgrounds and obtaining a camping permit.

By Travel Expert: Bill Weir

Photo Galleries