A half day is all you need to see the highlights, but with more time you can tour the entire park, go on a day hike, or camp in the backcountry. For a big adventure, hike to the top of Wassen Peak. The Saguaro cactus flowers from mid-May through early June. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Required fields are marked *. Saguaro National Park. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. Set on two separate sides of the city of Tuscon, Saguaro National Park showcases the Sonoran Desert. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. 2023 Calendar Wonders of the Pacific Northwest, Saguaro National Park Photography Overview, Discover 65+ Perfect Gifts for National Park Lovers, Best travel lenses for Sony a7iii and other Sony Alpha cameras. Cost: $25 per vehicle. . Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. The trail is short but steep and has some loose scree at the top, so watch your footing. A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. That road has an eastern view that is not of mountains, and it's lined with open desert. The orientations of both park units are such that they are both behind mountains at sunrise. Estimates calculate that roughly 1.8 million Saguaros grow within the parks borders. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. Cactus Forest Loop Drive: The Cactus Forest Loop Drive is a scenic adventure that skirts the west side of Saguaro National Park and visits the base of Sentinel Peak, this gigantic mountain that rises to 4,392 feet. This is a great spot to enjoy the sunset, but it's great any time of day. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails and roads with more people here. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. Turn left onto Kinney Road. Despite its name, youll soon realize the Gila Monster is actually adorable. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In the afternoon, we drove back to Phoenix. This park protects the Saguaro cactus on a tract of land through the Sonoran Desert. I've been there for sunrise a couple of times, and I've never found a better spot. Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. . The distances are quite big and it would be quite painful to try to get around on public transport. It is roughly 8 miles round trip and is rated as strenuous, but youll get one of the best views of the park. Wasson Peak is one of the most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This easy trail leads you through the desert and past mine ruins, offering views of the Tucson Mountains and great photo opportunities. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. guides. March in Tucson is all about sunny skies and mild weather pleasant for enjoying exploring places outdoors like Saguaro National Park and other gems nearby. Thanks Alex! If you need more information about the park itself, we have written an ultimate guide to Saguaro National Park with everything you need to know for first-time visits. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. If youre ready to stretch your legs (but not sure where to start), heres a list of 10 of our favorite hiking trails in Saguaro National Park: Planning a night under the stars? But now I am not so sure, if the mountains block any chance of sunrise photos with the cactus. Perfect :). SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. 13. Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. Your email address will not be published. With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. . November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve. This area is located closer to the city, so it's easier to access. For links to all of our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona Travel Guide. It would be very easy to spend at least half of a day here, to tour the entire property. Saguaro National Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections Hike: 3 hours, 2 miles. One of the most magical places to experience a sunset in Washington State is Fremont Lookout, located in Mount Rainier National Park. Guess I can try that. Saguaro Sundown Pano. with only 49 feet of elevation gain. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. IS this enough to cover Saguaro? Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. February can be a busy time to visit this park, but you are giving yourself plenty of time to visit the 2 sections. Saguaro National Park: One great spot for Sunsets - See 1,227 traveler reviews, 1,418 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The I-10/Ina area has an eastern sky full of the Santa Catalinas. Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!! 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. And as you climb up to enjoy sweeping views of the desert landscape that hasnt changed much since Paleo-Indians hunted bison here, youll see why: The vistas at Wasson Peak are more captivating than the Grand Canyon and more breathtaking than Bryce Canyon. (c) Seeker.io. But for sunset, I can go anywhere and will explore the area. According to the National Park Service, there are about 75 known crested saguaro cacti located within the boundaries of the two sections of the National Park. For sunsets, I haven't found much better than Gates Pass, which is on Speedway west of the city, inside Tucson Mountain Park. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. The best way to get around Tucson is to hire a car. This was one of our favorite walks in the park since we walked through one of the densest populations of cacti. From sunrise to sunset, this tour will take you to areas away from the crowds, giving you a chance to capture iconic images of these cacti. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. Moonlight Programs Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Bajada Loop Drive. There are two separate sections to the park. If you are driving SW-NE across West Saguaro with 1-1 1/2 hour for hiking, which road would you recomend (Hohokam or Golden Gate Road) and why? 2 /20. It is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the way. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. Thank you very much. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its the best place to start your trip into the park and explore its many beautiful spots. The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. 4. This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. Flash floods and rain can make this road impassable, even if you have a 44. The best place to watch the sunset in Saguaro East is at the Javelina Rocks pullout. To start the drive, turn right from N Kinney Road onto Hohokam Road. Plus, the heat of the day will fade away as the sun sets! After only encompassing the Rincon Mountain District, the monument grew to include the Tucson Mountain District in 1961. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Plenty of birds to see: rock wren, cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, canyon towhee, gila woodpecker, black-chinned sparrows and more.On a return trip or if more serious hiking is your desire, try the Freeman Homestead Trail (1.1 mile loop; halfway to the picnic area, with some good birding as you traverse a wash are) or the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (8 mile in and out; more rigorous and to higher elevation, but you can turn around any time). For this reason, photographers hoping for a sunrise photoshoot should go to the West section. A swimming pool with a slide and a putting green are here for your enjoyment but the real attraction are the mini donkeys, goats and rescue horses you get to hang out with. Brooding sunset light surrounds a lone Joshua Tree from White Tank Campground. In fact, it was featured in our list of the best trails in all the national parks! In order to drive it as a loop, you need to drive counterclockwise. Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. The combination of location and luxury makes it among the most luxurious hotels close to Saguaro National Park East. It does not store any personal data. Ridge Trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 . What makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close and distant saguaro cacti to fill your frame. At night you can see the lights of Tucson shining up on the hills. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park West is rugged and sharp, beautiful cacti-clad mountains all around you. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Music:Track: Ardent Pratzapp [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/DU50EpGbwvcFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/ardentSpotlights by Niwel https://soundcloud.com/niwel-516897768Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Spotlights-NiwelMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/jMQ2auDWZO8Track: Nostalgia Another Kid [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/dJU6zQEdpRMFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/nostalgiaArtist: Audionautix - https://goo.gl/dZg3UsGenre: Country \u0026 Folk - https://goo.gl/OL0HjiMood: Happy - https://goo.gl/CwgKMqTrack: Doing Nothing sakura Hz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/o5ivAJQ_iHQFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/Doing-nothingAcoustic/Folk Instrumental by Hyde - Free Instrumentals https://soundcloud.com/davidhydemusicCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/acoustic-folk-instrumeMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/YKdXVnaHfo8 GRAND CANYON: Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do on the South Rim, how to spend one perfect day in the Grand Canyon, and which South Rim viewpoints are the best ones to visit. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. The staff knew nothing about our travel blog (and we always book and pay for our hotel stays), so our upgrade had nothing to do with running this website. To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. Visitors will want to stay in the left lane when turning onto Bajada Loop Drive from Signal Hill Road or Leisure Lane in case cars come from behind. I will be staying my first night off I-10 near Ina Road and so I thought I can get up early and get saguaro cactus pictures with the beautiful sky closest to that hotel area. Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. Total hiking amount so far: 1.4 miles, one . Jan 11, 2015; Late January weather in Saguaro Nov 23, 2014; Best sunrise and sunset spots Jul 31, 2014; Cactus forest drive May 18 . 30 Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park, 35 Best Photography Spots in Capitol Reef National Park. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Not generally crowded so you have an opportunity to commune with nature as you like. You don't want to be walking a trail in the dark, even with a flashlight. Sunset view of Sonoran desert from Tucson Mountain Park. The Tucson Mountain District (west) is open sunrise to sunset daily for vehicles, and open to foot and bike traffic 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. Located both to the east and west of Tucson, Saguaro National Park is an iconic experience in the American Southwest. This area has the most Saguaro Cacti and dense . Best Sunset Spot in Saguaro National Park. Saguaro is a fantastic place to wander dry washes and winding trails, smelling the sweet scented air and stopping to admire cacti and scurrying wildlife. Best $15 we ever spent. Then, that afternoon, we made the trek over to the east side of the park to check it out. Mid-Range: Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. A. is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. Our website uses cookies. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Saguaro National Park is split into two sections -- the Tucson Mountain District sits west; the Rincon Mountain District sits east; and the city of Tucson and its 1-million residents sits in between the two. Admission: All passes are good for 1 week: Vehicle-$25.00; Motorcycle-$20.00; Individual-$15.00. We spent several hours in Saguaro East and then checked into our hotel in Tucson. IMPORTANT! This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. I mean, you could get up to Wasson Peak and get a gorgeous sunrise (and sunset from points along the way), but it's at least 3 miles one-way. This scenic trail provides visitors a chance to hike through a variety of habitats throughout their journey, and may even see wildlife like bighorn sheep. Cheers, Julie, Great article! If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide and our Arizona Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Along the way, and on the rocks on top of the hill, you get to see the rock art, or petroglyphs, drawn by the Hohokam people over 800 years ago. Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . Those suggestions help a lot. Plus, its flat and easy and great for all ages. A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. Snyder Hill BLM Camping. Most photographers prefer the landscapes of the West Section, but Javelina Rocks is a favorite photo destination in the East. Saguaro National Park in Arizona is offering a number of ranger-guided hikes in February. Hours: The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. Wildflowers typically begin to bloom in mid-April, including sand verbena, Hartweg's sundrops, White Sands mustard, and yuccas. This park did not disappoint. Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, Arizona, is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest. Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park. But I will go to Gates Pass for sure at least one evening. To get between these two sections of the park, it is a one hour drive through the city of Tucson. Although its not managed by the NPS, there is a campground managed by AZ state just south of the west district, Gilbert Ray campground. Loma Verde Trail. Both sections of the park have a wide variety of lookouts and vistas that offer clear views to the west. Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west) is the ideal spot for a sunset. The best view of these ancient symbols is from the scenic overlook on Haps Hill near Old Tucson. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. Gates Pass is what locals seem to favor as the top sunset spot. ANTELOPE CANYON: Journey through Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon in photos. PS: this is a great place to take some selfies with the Saguaro. Saguaros can live up to 200 years (although some sources state that they can live even longer than this). If you are traveling with kids, a visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is worthwhile, as long as you have several hours to spend here to make it worth the cost. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. The Gould Mine Trail provides one of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. 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