Be sure to check out our additional photography guides. Viewing the lake rimmed by snow drifts is stunning! A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Visit the petroglyphs at Signal Hill [West] There's some fascinating history at Saguaro National Park with people who have inhabited the region hundreds of years ago. This allows the East to have a much more diverse range of vegetation and wildlife at higher altitudes. IMPORTANT! Valley View Overlook Trail. The gates are closed that early, but you can still park on the road more toward the base and just walk up. Together, the area covers 91,716 acres with 165 miles of trails. Saguaros live for generations, some with lifespans of up to 200 years. Vehicle access is from sunrise to sunset daily. 1. Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It was an incredible surprise! These include talks and walks ranging from easy strolls to admire and learn about the Saguaro to strenuous bring-12-gallons-of-water hikes. Be sure to check out our additional. The inside of the cactus is made of wooden ribs which resembles a tree trunk. The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Looks cools though. Valley overlook trail can still be reached from there, and Signal hill from the main road. It is a paved road with plenty of pull-outs and viewpoints along the way. Youll need to purchase a pass to enter Saguaro National Park. If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. But theres no pressure, so some of them dont grow any arms at all. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. This is an incredible time to be in the park as it adds a beautiful floral arrangement to your photos and also attracts birds and wildlife. If you have never been to the park, you may want to begin by perusing our Ultimate Guide to Saguaro National Park which features all of the need-to-know information for visiting. It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite. Introducing the human element and having your subject looking up at the tips can be effective. They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. 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. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. PETRIFIED FOREST: This small national park is an underrate gem. Sunrise is usually not nearly as good as sunsets. 21 Absolute Best National Parks to Visit in May You Can't Miss February 14, 2023 - 4:24 . Saguaro National Park officially became a national park in 1994. SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. They also provide an opportunity to learn about the diverse flora and fauna in the park. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the visitor center. SUBSCRIBE for more videos! From the towering stands of saguaro cacti to the flower-filled grasslands, youll discover photographers greatest opportunities for picturesque scenes and unique photo opportunities along this well-maintained 16-mile loop. To make it a loop, add on the Hugh Norris Trail for a 7.9-mile trip with 1,863 feet of elevation change. Website: Visit the official website for updated pricing and a full listing of their hours of operation. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. Learn more on the official national park website. If you enjoyed the information, please leave your feedback and suggest it to friends and acquaintances. Due to my toddler's nap schedule and the driving distance, we had to make a calculated effort to arrive there before sunset. Estimates calculate that roughly 1.8 million Saguaros grow within the parks borders. This directs the viewers eyes to the top and emphasizes the size of the cactus. The only rule here? This was high on our list do to but we skipped it due to high temperatures in the park. Mar 17, 2016; Hiking with a toddler Oct 28, 2015; Afternoon and morning in Saguaro-which part when? They are often humanized in cartoons. The loops start point is either McKellips Road or Signal Hill Road. In the summer, Javelina Rocks is a perfect location for shooting. Arizona desert landscape with Saguaro cactus at sunset. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. More than 800 miles of trails wind through cactus gardens and forests of saguaros, cholla, and prickly pear, as well as other desert plants. The Red Hills Visitor Center is open 9am -5pm daily except December 25th. Saguaro National Park is amazing and there are so many great things to do. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Time to watch the beauty above us. On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. . 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. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. It was an innocuous opening salvo: On May 5, an Instagram post boasted that Saguaro National Park has "the best sunsets in the world . You get an unparalleled view of Downtown and the Rincons to the east. Personally, I like to start off long strenuous hikes either at sunrise or a little before sunrise. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 4. During a visit to Saguaro National Park in September, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau announced that over $10 million of the funding is being invested in Arizona to . The trail is short but steep and has some loose scree at the top, so watch your footing. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. Also don't forget to catch the sunrise (or sunset) at Delicate Arch. The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. I like the idea of Gates Pass and I don't want the city in my photos anyway. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our goal is to create helpful & inspiring travel guides that combine our passion for photography with our insatiable desire to explore. If you are spending significant time in the American Southwest, we also have a collection of travel & photography guides to some of the best destinations in the region. Absolutely beautiful! Sunsets are dramatic and beautiful in the desert. The elevation gain for this trail is 291 feet, and it is located in the west district of Saguaro National Park. . A wide-angle lens. Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. I visited the west side: Tucson Mountain District. A list of hikes is below. If you like the idea of hiking, consider the hike to Wassen Peak. Check the parks website for up to date hours and notices. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. At night you can see the lights of Tucson shining up on the hills. Loma Verde Trail. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Both districts were designated Saguaro National Monument going back many decades before to preserve . Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. The Rincons cover the eastern horizon, and they get up to 9000' with Mica Mountain, so the sunrise you're seeing is not the sunrise as it goes over the horizon. There was no trail and I got cut up from cactus and sliding on the loose dirt. You have a much higher probability of getting struck by lightning. Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. In the morning, the sun crests the Gila Mountains. The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. The desert sunset may rival the saguaros as the park's most Instagrammed natural wonder. Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park. "The best" sunrise spots in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Saguaro National Park is open year-round. You don't want to be walking a trail in the dark, even with a flashlight. While its known for its tall cacti, youll find some stunning views of mountain ranges, too. That was my main goal. Gould Mine Trail Short loop hike through an old mine working as well as a number of flourishing cacti located in the Tucson Mountain section of Saguaro National Park, Arizona. 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. Our website uses cookies. The morning sun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And worst comes to worst, I sleep in and just catch the sunsets. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . Best Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park. The low summer season sees a limited number of park tours that dont happen everyday. 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). The varied route includes low-lying desert washes cut by flowing water, steep canyons with lush riparian plant life, scenic vistas overlooking the city of Tucson, and dramatic rock formations. A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. Go on Some Epic Hikes. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you're well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. The hotel is located close to Saguaro National Park. Nearby Resorts. The best I can think to do is actually drive north on I-10, to Park Link Road. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. 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. It was short, flat, and easy. Nice overview of Saguaro and very helpful, however if the goal is to get folks to visit a place like this, it would best to leave out the drama about rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park. Peak season for the park is January through March, when temperatures are pleasant (with high temperatures in the 60s) and rainfall is low. Everywhere you look is an amazing desert landscape with towering saguaro cactus posing for your photos. We never saw a wild rattlesnake inside of the park, but one did slither across the sidewalk at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. They would be closest to I-10 but is that area good for sunrise? They can grow up to 49 arms. This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. Traveling between the two sections of the park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Visit one section in the morning, have lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the other section of the park. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. Saguaro National Park (East District) For stunning views of saguaros bathed in the early morning light, head to the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro . We were able to take . RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. . It was short, flat, and easy. Temperatures are still somewhat reasonable for the Arizona desert and the saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. Budget: Hotel McCoy. Wasson Peak is one of the most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The hotels comfort is superb and they have an outdoor pool that will help cool down after a day of heat within the Park. The mighty saguaro only grows in Arizona, and this one stands over 40 feet tall. There are many places to choose from in Tucson, with an abundance of chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc. . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails and roads with more people here. Check the calendar for current offerings before you go. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. Enjoy your time taking pictures of animals, like javelinas! From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. . The cacti absorb gallons and gallons of water in the summer monsoon season and use this stored water throughout the remainder of the year. . Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities. Perfect :). Depictions and descriptions of desert wildlife and varieties of cactus will help you identify examples as you drive on. Its easy to walk, educational, and great for all ages. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. . West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). If you found one of our travel guides invaluable in planning your next trip and would like to show your appreciation to the authors, please consider buying us a cup of coffee! What makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close and distant saguaro cacti to fill your frame. District and its trails to the western district. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Gates Pass is what locals seem to favor as the top sunset spot. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Best $15 we ever spent. This is more of a zoo than a museum, with animal exhibits, an aquarium, and botanical gardens, and it also has a natural history museum. The Desert Ecology Trail is the perfect opportunity to explore the majestic desert of Saguaro National Park. Saguaro West will likely have a lot more dust and dirt and crowds to contend with. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. I would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise. We are over 60 and out of shape, so true hiking wasn't part of our adventure, but I took a couple of the trails, including the little nature walk behind the visitors' center. The other trails take off into the wash. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is situated in the western part of Tucson close to Old Tucson, Saguaro National Park West along with Tucson Mountain Park In a remote desert canyon, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum offers visitors a chance to explore the wonders of the Sonoran Desert region. Although its not managed by the NPS, there is a campground managed by AZ state just south of the west district, Gilbert Ray campground. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. The vista changes from desert to mountains, to ravine, to rock formations. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. Saguaro National Park. Tucson Mountain District (West) Desert Discovery Nature Trail - A 0.4 mile loop, and one of two ADA trails in the park. Saguaro National Park: always a great experience. The problem is that the area is ringed by mountains. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona. Take your pick, take your camera, and start scurrying for Tucson sunset spots. Both districts of the park are open to hikers and bikers 24 hours a day every day except Christmas. Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. 531. The relatively innocuous caption read, "Did you know @saguaronationalpark has the best sunsets in the world?". Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. But we also checked out a few smaller sites, events, and hikes in the park that are worth mentioning. The parks name comes from the saguaro-sized cactus native to its desert surroundings. Youre even less likely to see scorpions, unless youre digging through woody plant material or specifically looking for them at night (with a UV light). This is a photo of the welcome sign in Saguaro National Park. If you visit in the summer months, be prepared for temperatures reaching above 110 and be prepared with proper sun protection and plenty of water. The Ironwood Forest Trail is also west of the divide (I think I hiked this many years ago and it was all flat). Sunrise Sunset Times of Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA Location: United States > Arizona > Pima County > Tucson > Timezone: America/Phoenix. The Loma Verde Trail is a 3.8 mile loop that offers a terrific variety of scenery. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It was also a destination hike, which is rare in this national park. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west) is the ideal spot for a sunset. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 7. Hours: The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is open from sunrise to sunset. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. The Snyder Hill BLM area is a great spot close to Tucson and Saguaro National Park. You really have to watch where you step because if I hadnt been paying attention, I would have stepped right on this little guy. However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? PRO TRAVEL TIP: Beware of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. While in Saguaro National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. Required fields are marked *. It would be very easy to spend at least half of a day here, to tour the entire property. This is where we stayed. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. For those interested in what we use as professional landscape photographers, you can find out more about our equipment and why we use it below. Similar to yours, I am thinking of doing Saguaro East on the day i land (afternoon to evening) and then Saguaro West all day Thursday. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. Like all desert locations, the weather in Saguaro National Park brings warm days and chilly nights. While walking through the museum, a wild rattlesnake slithered across the sidewalk right in front of me. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60041637', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson doesn't have the most spectacular sunrises. This paved and totally level loop hike is only half a mile long. To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. Ranger programs are available year round in Saguaro National Park, but the January through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection. One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The Saguaro cactus flowers from mid-May through early June. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. We do have the Africanized honey bees ( "killer bees")here in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 7. If you're open to suggestions, I've always thought the best place to see the sunrise in town was A Mountain. However, the Rincon Mountains form a nice backdrop for photography. Sign up for early access to our community of travelers around the globe. Saguaro National Park is split into two divisions (east and west) which border the city of Tucson, Arizona. 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. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. The hill is large and offers 360-degree views of the area: Tucson, Arizona in general, and Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots, Rustic Canopy At Overlook Arizona Sonora Desert Museum In Tucson. November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve. . The best view of these ancient symbols is from the scenic overlook on Haps Hill near Old Tucson. It was also a destination hike, which is rare in this national park. On the way to the top, there's a particularly good view of saguaro as the slopes descend toward the valley floor. In just 15 minutes, you can travel within 15 minutes of the Hampton Inn & Suites Tech Park to the eastern region of Saguaro National Park. Bajada Loop Drive: Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. To help plan the best national park trip ever, . The best time to capture Saguaro National Park photos is typically sunset as the westerly views are more open than the easterly. Specialties: Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. Beautiful scenery and great gift shop! Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. IS this enough to cover Saguaro? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This Tucson Mountain adventure will show you some of the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. There is a parking lot at . Best Sunset Spot in Saguaro National Park. The local bee and bird populations will agree. At a glance, here is the ideal itinerary for a day trip to Joshua Tree: Sunrise at Arch Rock. There are LOTS of petroglyphs for such a small area. Ever seeing a gila monster unless you live in the desert would be even more rare and being close enough to get bit would likelyrequire you to harass one, as theyre not particularly fast creatures. How could anything survive without water and in such high temperatures? Climbing, hiking, and exploring the Sonoran Desert is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. Saguaro National Park is comprised of two districts, East and West, that preserve thousands of acres of this region's most recognizable monarch of a cactus the saguaro. The park's namesake cacti silhouetted against the sky makes for a scene straight out of a magazine. Next . 9. The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, has a denser population of cacti. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. April, however, sees relatively moderate temperatures and while the crowds have died down, the Saguaro cactuses begin to bloom. Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Moonlight Programs If you are just wanting to make a day trip to Saguaro National Park and take home some interesting photos, you may actually prefer the East Section. They can live 200 years. 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. Seeing a bit over 1 million visitors annually, the park is much younger than its namesake resident cacti, only becoming a national park on October 14, 1994. The distances are quite big and it would be quite painful to try to get around on public transport. Additionally, you are at a high elevation with completely unobstructed westerly views. Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic Area on the Bajada Loop Drive. Experience the Sonoran Desert in the parks most dramatic landscape, Cactus Forest Drive. The Saguaro is one of the most creative cacti on the planet, and to thank them for their beauty, we gave them their very own spot: Saguaro National Park. 2. This is a self-guided nature trail, with lots of informative signs about the Saguaro cactus and the desert ecosystem. 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. In Saguaro West, the best place to watch the sunset is at the parking lot at Gates Pass. Panther Peak Wash would be an almost definite no just because it's a wash and it's on the west side of the divide. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. For a big adventure, hike to the top of Wassen Peak. Hi, I was wondering if anyone has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Good luck in your travel. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. A wide-angle lens. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road.
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