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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.
Saguaro National Park is uniquely situated around the 500 square miles that make up Tucson, AZ, which is at the heart of the Sonoran desert. Sitting at just under 2,400 feet above sea level, Tucson is 60 miles north of the U.S. Mexican border and about 100 miles south of the state capital, Phoenix.
The saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, only grows in the Sonoran Desert, but not in all parts. Saguaros need a perfect balance of heat and rainfall to thrive. Freezing temperatures can be greatly detrimental to the health of a saguaro, and climate is the main determinate of saguaro range.
Saguaro National Park is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas day, and our busiest time of the year is from November to March. During the winter months, temperatures are cooler and range from the high 50's to the mid-70's.
Together with the adjacent Rincon Mountain Wilderness on the Coronado National Forest, the protected wild acreage totals nearly 100,000 acres within sight of the sprawling city of Tucson. Solitude awaits you on these cool, forested slopes. Learn more and see a map of the Saguaro Wilderness Area.
A crested saguaro (at mile 2.5) is a unique view, as well as "the Dome" (a large exposed surface at mile 3) that offers even more breathtaking views. This trail continues to Juniper Basin Campground (6.9 mile mark, 3000 feet elevation) as well as Tanque Verde Peak (8.7 miles, 4000 feet elevation).
This Sonoran Desert native is a large, tree-sized cactus with a relatively long lifespan of up to 250 years. Its beautiful white, waxy flower, which blooms late May - July, is the Arizona state flower and a favorite treat for the diverse animal populations that call Saguaro National Park home.
Saguaro National Park is a destination for dark and starry skies. In 2023, the International Dark Sky Association certified Saguaro National Park as an Urban Night Sky Place—only the ninth in the world and the second in the National Park system!
Our New Hiking Brochures are Here! Below are images of the new RMD (East) and TMD (West) hiking brochures. They have new recommendations and offer a more mobile-friendly view of the trails. Enjoy your hiking! Front Page of TMD-Saguaro West Hiking Map. NPS Photo.
Saguaro National Park’s cultural resources include over 450 archeological sites, over 60 historic structures, one cultural landscape (the Cactus Forest Drive), one traditional use area (for the collection of saguaro fruit), as well as many museum objects.