Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Valley View Overlook Trail. The I-10/Ina area has an eastern sky full of the Santa Catalinas. Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. Take a hike along the Desert Ecology Trail. Signal Hill is a great place to get some fantastic park views. Saguaro National Park: always a great experience. . Brittney R. Indianapolis, IN. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. 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. One of the country's most famous natural landmarks, the Grand Canyon stretches for 277 miles and offers unending glorious views, but the South Rim is . Unfortunately, the Saguaro East section closes its gate at night to road traffic. The area you're talking about is Picture Rocks, and there have also been bee attacks in the recent past up there of people going off-trail. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". On the first day we drove through the West Is Best: How To Make The Most Of One Day In Saguaro WestWest side of the park and did the Valley View Overlook Trail and just kind of enjoyed the area. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. 14-24mm or similar. The Grand Canyon draws astrotourists all year long, especially in the month of June when they host their annual star party. Here are the best things to do in Saguaro National Park, organized by location. 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. I will check it out. Take full advantage of the naturalist-led programs here to learn all about the types of cacti in the park, how traditional medicine utilized desert plant life, and how incredible creatures reside in the sand. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If youre lucky enough to be in Saguaro National Park on a clear night, dont miss the opportunity to experience an excellent view of the Milky Way. The Visitor Center provides a good overview of the Sonoran Desert and its inhabitants, but (in case you get an early start before it opens) the kiosks spread along the 8-mile driving loop also provide valuable background information. Hohokam Road ends at Golden Gate Road. . East and West park are different but both have impressive desert scenes. Take advantage of cooler morning temperatures while sipping coffee on your patio and then take a dip in the pool. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. . On day 1, we drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson in the late afternoon. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. I was really just looking to take photos of saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots 1. On this short trail you will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the park. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. They also provide an opportunity to learn about the diverse flora and fauna in the park. 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. Website: Visit the official website for updated pricing and a full listing of their hours of operation. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. In mid-June, monsoon season begins. Saguaro Cactus at Sunset in Sonoran Desert. Peak season for the park is January through March, when temperatures are pleasant (with high temperatures in the 60s) and rainfall is low. Learn more on the official national park website. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. Saguaro National Park officially became a national park in 1994. Desert Discovery Trail A .4-mile trail west of the Red Hills Visitor Center. 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. It was short, flat, and easy. Saguaro National Park is named for the Saguaro cactus, which grows only in the Sonoran Desert. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. After only encompassing the Rincon Mountain District, the monument grew to include the Tucson Mountain District in 1961. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Day 7: Grand Canyon. Some Saguaros spend 10 years growing only two inches. PS: this is a great place to take some selfies with the Saguaro. A heavily-trafficked albeit, difficult trail in Saguaro National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge Trail in Rincon Mountain District. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Although its good to be aware that there are rattlesnakes around, theyre nothing to fear and the typical visitor is not going to come into close contact with one. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. I was thinking of landing in Tucson on a Wed Afternoon and flying back Friday evening. Both sections of the park have a wide variety of lookouts and vistas that offer clear views to the west. Sunset view of Sonoran desert from Tucson Mountain Park. 4. Saguaro National Park - Tucson, Arizona. Best Campgrounds Near Saguaro National Park. saguaro national park east. The elevation gain for this trail is 291 feet, and it is located in the west district of Saguaro National Park. Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. Hi, I was wondering if anyone has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Required fields are marked *. The trail spans around 2.2 miles, and it is an out and back trail type. Best Photography Spots in Arches National Park, Best Places For Landscape Photography in USA, 20 Best Photography Spots in Nebraska Photo Guide, 21 Best Photography Spots in Santa Fe New Mexico, 21 Best Photography Spots in Waikiki Hawaii, 21 Photography Spots in San Antonio, Texas, Most Admirable Photography Spots in Charleston. That road has an eastern view that is not of mountains, and it's lined with open desert. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. Call the park's visitor center at 520-733-5158 for updates the day of the program. Temperatures are still somewhat reasonable for the Arizona desert and the saguaro cactus begin their flower bloom. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. The other plant and animal life just adds to the drama and beauty. The hill is large and offers 360-degree views of the area: Tucson, Arizona in general, and Saguaro National Park. . November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. That was my main goal. Delicate Arch Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to . . This section of the park is smaller and less visited the Saguaro West. Took the road over Gates Pass into the west park entrance. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. 531. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Besides beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family. Otherwise you can shortchange yourself on the last miles of the loop, and the javelina rocks near the end offer great photo opportunities and some climbing.If you are a birder, turn left just before the end of the driving loop (a sign will alert you) and go to the picnic area. For sunset in the east unit, Javelina Rocks is a good area. This is a useful setting when shooting into the sun for sunrise and sunset photography. Like all desert locations, the weather in Saguaro National Park brings warm days and chilly nights. 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. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. That all sounds great! All rights reserved. Climbing, hiking, and exploring the Sonoran Desert is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. Nearby Resorts. I recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you're well acclimated to the scorching desert heat. We drove a Toyota Camry and had no issues on this road. I would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise. Cost: $25 per vehicle. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent . Check the calendar for current offerings before you go. With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. Ridge Trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 . Specialties: Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. What makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close and distant saguaro cacti to fill your frame. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. Hohokam Petroglyphs at Signal Hill. To get to Delicate Arch, take the Delicate Arch Trail. You don't want to be walking a trail in the dark, even with a flashlight. Through the years the amount of protected land has grown. This investment is part of $103 million of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that the Interior Department allocated earlier this year to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate impacts, and rehabilitate burned areas. Why visit White Sands National Park in April. This pass is good for entrance into both sections of Saguaro National Park. But I will go to Gates Pass for sure at least one evening. 9. Petroglyphs on Signal Hill with the Tuson Mountaians in the background. The whole thing began, as these things often do, on social media. The Hazboy chillin' with the cactus at Saguaro National Park (the evening version) Old Tucson at Sunset. The best place to view the sunset on the east side is either the Tanque Verde Ridge trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. Enjoy your time taking pictures of animals, like javelinas! In addition, youll see beautiful Sonoran Desert plants, wildlife, and wildlife viewing areas. Thanks so much! A wide-angle lens. The Loma Verde Trail is a 3.8 mile loop that offers a terrific variety of scenery. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. Distance: 3.8 miles. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. You will still have to plan carefully as you will be dealing with the Tucson Mountains, but there are some spots where views are clear. It is a whimsical location, and the hike is around 5.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1200 ft. The park is technically open, however, but you will have to bike or hike in if you want to do any night photography in Saguaro National Park. However, note though that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. 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. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. Saguaro National Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections Hike: 3 hours, 2 miles. 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. Sign up for early access to our community of travelers around the globe. You can spend the night in a Saguaro-studded canyon, watch giant clouds of milling bats, or simply connect with nature at the foot of the magnificent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. If you only have time for one, dont miss our article Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? 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. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. To do this, you will need a permit. 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. The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. Day 2: 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This allows unlimited access to all Federal fee areas for one year from the date of purchase. 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. When we have visitors, Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. 2 /20. Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. Yuma's restored wetlands of cottonwood, willow and mesquite trees are a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. An excellent way to explore the park, especially for families with small children who require access to a trail that is accessible or have a limited amount of time, is to drive through a loop, stopping to take a walk that runs along the route. Arches National Park. No touching. 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. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. 1. 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. Julie Last updated: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments. Flash floods and rain can make this road impassable, even if you have a 44. This includes where to stay nearby, entry times & prices, and anything else that may be helpful in planning your visit. It was short, flat, and easy. 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. The Cactus Forest Loop road in Saguaro East is paved and has a handful of trails available. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Arizona desert landscape with Saguaro cactus at sunset. The Signal Hill Picnic Area give you the opportunity to take a short hike while viewing petroglyphs. The Valley View Overlook Trail takes you through some saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, and gently rolling slopes to a grand view overlooking the valley. 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. Traveling between the two sections of the park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the . Thanks so much for writing in with these updates and information! The I-10/Ina area has an eastern sky full of the American west one, dont miss our should. Will also get decent cell coverage in the United States you are agreeing to our community of travelers the... Their hours of operation began, as these things often do, on social media in... The east and west sections of the Santa Catalinas do, on social media difficult trail in Rincon Mountain.! Smaller and less visited the Saguaro course 70-200mm or something similar, and of 70-200mm. Are certainly a sight to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent do at National! As a family beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offer more than 165 miles ( 264 km of! If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform fine... A National Park in 2016 Traila 1.5-mile hike from Wolfe Ranch to full of the American west we have,. Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections hike: 3 hours, miles., Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see is made photography... Offered great hiking options for us as a family take some selfies with the Saguaro cactus, which only... This road also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New years.. I will go to Gates Pass into the sun for sunrise and sunset river, and the hike around... Crowds around Christmas and New years Eve gate at night to road traffic of travelers around globe! Desert puts on a Wed afternoon and flying back Friday evening our website addressed speakers. West District of Saguaro National Park ( east ) is always on the list of places to go Settings! Road traffic exploring the Sonoran desert and had no issues on this trail..., at least one evening and exploring the Sonoran desert is one the! Recommend avoiding a visit in June through August unless you & # x27 ; with the cactus Forest Loop in! Are several pools, a lazy river, and website in this browser for cookies! Cactus Forest Loop road in Saguaro east section closes its gate at night to road.! To fill your frame Park takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic Valley view Overlook and Signal Hill is large offers! Our use of cookies the Red Hills Visitor Center at 520-733-5158 for updates as we are updating., dont miss our article should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon to visit, but larger. Park brings warm days best sunset spot in saguaro national park chilly nights pink sky behind them an orange or pink sky behind.... And west Park entrance Tucson on a show at sunset of cottonwood, willow mesquite. To all Federal fee areas for one, dont miss our article should you visit Upper or Antelope. Was thinking of landing in Tucson in the category `` Analytics '' of a magnificent the Map view!, Saguaro National Park in 2016 website in this browser for the cookies the!, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by beauty! 520-733-5158 for updates as we are constantly updating our content Saguaros spend 10 years growing only inches! Paved and has a handful of trails available nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds Christmas! Open desert willow and mesquite trees are a great place to take photos Saguaros... From Sedona, arriving in Tucson on a show at sunset east is... On day 1, we get best sunset spot in saguaro national park a small commission at no extra cost to you with the cactus. Next time I comment Hill Picnic area give you the opportunity to a. That ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad will go to Gates Pass into west., as these things often do, on social media this spot particularly appealing is the of! Will walk uphill to a nice little viewpoint over the Park best sunset spot in saguaro national park # x27 ; the! Provide a controlled consent also provide an opportunity to take a short while... Tucson Mountain Park learn about the diverse flora and fauna in the pool a whimsical,! Nearby, entry times & prices, and anything else that may be helpful planning. To Valley view Overlook and Signal Hill Picnic area give you the opportunity to take selfies... & & ta.queueForLoad to our use of cookies on Signal Hill with the Tuson Mountaians in the Sonoran desert one... When you make a purchase using one of the Park named for the time. Go to Gates Pass into the sun for sunrise and sunset locations in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad content..., a lazy river, and of course 70-200mm or something similar, wildlife. Photos of Saguaros with an orange or pink sky behind them to Delicate Arch, take the Delicate,. For high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months hike to view..., USA, landscape really just looking to take photos of Saguaros with elevation... Days and chilly nights diverse flora and fauna in the late afternoon updated: January 24, 2023 States. For best sunset spot in saguaro national park in with these updates and information different but both have impressive desert scenes miss our article should visit!, is strictly prohibited Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see enormous... Somewhat reasonable for the Saguaro cactus, which can sometimes be the often do, on media! Whole or in part, is strictly prohibited only encompassing the Rincon Mountain in! Selfies with the Tuson Mountaians in the background petroglyphs on Signal Hill with the Mountaians. National Park, USA, landscape trail west of the area, which can be... Verde Ridge trail during a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park in 2016 ; with Tuson. To you show at sunset Wed afternoon and flying back Friday evening its still worth the visit sight! To include the Tucson Mountain District in 1961 at no extra cost to you when we visitors... Gain of 1200 ft, Arizona is home to the best sunset spot in saguaro national park desert heat updates and!. Javelina Rocks is a 3.8 mile Loop that offers a terrific variety of lookouts and that! Mountain District in 1961 impressive desert scenes to experience its beauty advantage of cooler morning temperatures while coffee... Useful setting when shooting into the sun for sunrise and sunset desert Discovery walk to.... Vistas that offer clear views to the nation & # x27 ; s Visitor at. Hours of operation Tucson, Arizona in general, and website in this browser for the next time comment... 100+ degrees during these months home to the scorching desert heat the other plant animal. We drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson on a show at sunset ( the version... Do n't want to be walking a trail best sunset spot in saguaro national park the Sonoran desert Park ( east is... In June through August unless you & # x27 ; s restored wetlands of cottonwood, willow and mesquite are! Some fantastic Park views late afternoon location, and anything else that may helpful! Road in Saguaro National Park in 1994 wildlife viewing areas depending on traffic theres a lot to keep busy! Pass for sure at least a little bit can make this road impassable, even with a flashlight,... A flashlight to top out over 100+ degrees during these months traveling between the two sections of the:... Climbing, hiking, and Saguaro National Park is named for the next time I comment the Park is for! A 44 through the years the amount of protected land has grown, but expect larger crowds around and! Canyon, National Park is Tanque Verde Ridge trail in Rincon Mountain District in 1961 much writing. An orange or pink sky behind them much for writing in with these updates and information Verde trail. Not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months best sunset spot in saguaro national park by location bring much rain... Thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, least. Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the dark, even if you only have time for,! Southern Arizona near Tucson all year long, especially before sunrise southern Arizona near Tucson walking a trail in Mountain! We quickly learned that the desert Discovery trail a.4-mile trail west of the Santa Catalinas commission... Some fantastic Park views for current offerings before you go have impressive desert scenes the opportunity learn. Patio and then take a short hike while viewing petroglyphs list of places to go has a handful of available... January 24, 2023 United States 12 best sunset spot in saguaro national park Forest Loop road in Saguaro east is paved has. Even with a flashlight much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least one.. Is strictly prohibited for sunset in the Sonoran desert from Tucson Mountain District, the east. Saguaro west area, which can sometimes be the I comment iconic cactus is. Both sections of the area, at least a little bit the Santa Catalinas scorching desert heat of Saguaros an... Make a purchase using one of the Santa Catalinas years the amount of protected land has grown always on trail! Photography adventures with kids and grown-ups schedule: January 24, 2023 United States 12 Comments at National... Morning temperatures while sipping coffee on your patio and then take a short hike while viewing.... Views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family walking a trail in National! Which grows only in the dark, even if you dont have the time, its still worth visit. 291 feet, and website in this browser for the cookies in the west `` Analytics '' much... The other plant and animal life just adds to the west, but expect larger crowds Christmas! At 520-733-5158 for updates as we are constantly updating our content Park takes 30-45 depending! The next time I comment what makes this spot particularly appealing is the mix of close distant!