Saguaro National Park

Generated with sparks and insights from 10 sources

Travel Tips

Enjoy hiking, biking, and the stunning desert sunsets at Gates Pass or Signal Hill. 1

Perfect for nature lovers and cycling enthusiasts. 2

Visit the west side for abundant trails and the east for scenic drives. 3

Visit between October and April for comfortable weather. The Tucson Mountain district is recommended for sunsets. 4

Consider the Mica View Loop for a short hike or the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive for a comfortable car tour. 5

Drive the Bajada Loop for views. Don't miss the sunset at Saguaro West. 6

Visit in late May or early June for the Saguaro bloom. Don't forget water and sun protection. 7

Explore the vast trails for a full day of adventure. 8

Start before sunrise for cooler temperatures and less crowded trails. 9

Ideal visits during fall and spring to avoid extreme heat. Watch out for snakes and bring plenty of water. 10

Introduction

Location

📍 Tucson, Arizona: The park is located in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County.
🗺️ Coordinates: 32°10′45″N 110°44′13″W.
🌵 Two Districts: The park is divided into the Tucson Mountain District (west) and the Rincon Mountain District (east).
🚗 Accessibility: The park is accessible via Interstate 10, which passes through Tucson.
🏞️ Nearby Areas: Tucson Mountain Park and Avra Valley are adjacent to the Tucson Mountain District.

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History

📅 1933: Established as Saguaro National Monument by President Herbert Hoover.
📜 1961: President John F. Kennedy added the Tucson Mountain District.
🏞️ 1994: Elevated to National Park status by Congress.
🏛️ Early Inhabitants: The Hohokam, Sobaipuri, and Tohono O'odham peoples lived in the area.
⛏️ Mining: The area was mined for copper and gold in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
🏠 Homesteading: Ranchers and homesteaders settled in the area in the late 19th century.

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Geography

🌄 Tucson Mountain District: Covers about 25,000 acres (10,000 ha).
⛰️ Rincon Mountain District: Covers about 67,000 acres (27,000 ha).
🏞️ Elevation: Ranges from 2,180 to 8,666 feet (664 to 2,641 m).
🗻 Mountains: Includes the Tucson Mountains and the Rincon Mountains.
🌊 Watershed: Lies within the watershed of the north-flowing Santa Cruz River.

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Climate

🌡️ Hot Semi-Arid: The park has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh).
🌧️ Summer Rains: Brief, violent summer rains with lightning and dust storms.
❄️ Winter Snow: Occasional snow at higher elevations in the Rincon Mountains.
🌡️ Temperature: Mean daily maximum ranges from 65°F (18°C) in January to 101°F (38°C) in June.
💧 Precipitation: Annual average is 11.73 inches (298 mm) at Red Hills Visitor Center.

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Flora

🌵 Saguaro Cactus: The park is named after the giant saguaro cactus.
🌿 Plant Communities: Includes desert scrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, pine–oak woodland, pine forest, and mixed conifer forest.
🌸 Flowering Plants: Fairy duster, fourwing saltbush, and brittlebrush are common.
🌳 Trees: Douglas-fir, Ponderosa pine, white fir, and Gambel oak.
🌵 Cactus Species: 24 species, including fishhook barrel, staghorn cholla, and Engelman's prickly pear.

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Fauna

🐾 Mammals: Cougars, coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, and white-tailed deer.
🦇 Bats: The endangered lesser long-nosed bat.
🦊 Other Mammals: Gray foxes, black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails, and ring-tailed cats.
🐿️ Rodents: Ground squirrels and packrats.
🦅 Birds: Various species of birds inhabit the park.

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Activities

🚶 Hiking: 165 miles (266 km) of trails available.
🚴 Bicycling: Allowed on selected roads and trails.
🐴 Horseback Riding: Permitted on selected roads and trails.
🚗 Sightseeing: Paved roads near visitor centers for easy access.
🏕️ Camping: Limited wilderness camping in the Rincon Mountain District.

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Travel Information
📞 Phone: (520) 733-5153
🌐 Website: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm
📍 Address: Arizona
🔗 Profiles:

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<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Saguaro National Park & Visitor Center Walking Tour in 4K", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwqNfO6g_nE", "channel": { "name": ""}, "published_date": "Oct 17, 2023", "length": "" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "One Day at Saguaro National Park (West) \ud83c\udf35 | Hiking Wasson ...", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4CBhsEMuhE", "channel": { "name": ""}, "published_date": "Feb 13, 2022", "length": "" }</div>