The desert southwest of the United States suffers no shortage of iconic imagery, and nothing is more iconic in the southwest than the silhouette of the towering subjects in Suaguaro National Park.
Guide to Saguaro
Saguaro National Park
Long straight highways whose lines merge together in the distant mountainous orange-skied horizon… Sage covered plains of sand that lie surrounded an expanse of thirsty nothingness… A summer sky filled with thick, puffy white clouds rolling quickly through the heavens, far above tall cliffs whose nostalgic red glow reminds us of old childhood cartoons…
The silhouette of a towering Saguaro cactus, whose spiny green frame and gracefully outstretched arms stand proudly against a sunset skyline, surrounded by thousands of standing family members who appear to have her back, no matter the odds…
Yep… This is Saguaro National Park.
Exploring Saguaro National Park
The 91,715 acre park sits on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona and is divided into two separate unites, which are located on either side of Tucson. The Rincon Mountain section lies roughly 10 miles east the east of the city and the Tucson Mountain District is about the same distance west of the city. The park is home to some 165 miles of hiking trails between the two units.
West Unit
The western unit of the park is more of the classic Sonoran Desert scene of the two. Here the landscape consists of volcanic rhyolite boulders that form the Tucson Mountains, capped by 4,687 foot Wasson Peak. The Red Hills area, home to the Red Hills Visitor Center, contains soils rich in iron oxide and are composed of mudstone from an ancient lakebed.
This area is home to concentrated stands of Saguaros and various trails exist in the western section that take hikers through small canyons and over mining roads as well as up to scenic views, surrounded by the towering cactuses.
The Bajada Loop Scenic Drive is a 5-mile graded unpaved road that is easily navigated by most vehicles. This route takes motorists through a dense grove of Saguaro that will provide plenty of photo opportunities.
East Unit
The Rincon Mountains in the park’s eastern unit contain a landscape that is larger and a bit more extreme and more diverse than its western counterpart. This area contains many species of flora and fauna that simply cannot exist in the western section.
The mountains in this region of the park rise to 8,666 feet at the summit of Mica Mountain, nearly twice the elevation of the western section. This provides an area distinctly different than that of the lower elevations. There are no Saguaro at this elevation.
Here, dedicated hikers find forests more like one would expect far to the north. Pine and oak groves surrounded by slopes of chaparral greet visitors here, with flowing streams and springs, while views out to the distant horizons remind adventurers to this area that this is a desert after all.
Playtime
Trips into the higher elevations of the park are rare, as it is rugged country indeed. Those who find their way to Mica Peak, Manning Camp or Spud Rock should not be surprised to have the area all to themselves, but should also not be surprised to be a little beat up from the journey there.
The trails are well-maintained, but can be rugged and jolting, and the desert heat is brutal. Cold mornings at Manning Camp are the norm during the winter months. Winter and spring mornings may require ice to be broken in order to acquire the day’s water supply from the camp’s spring.
The eastern region also offers easier trails that can be accessed from the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive. This paved one-way loop road leaves from the Rincon Mountains Visitor Center and travels through forests of cactuses that include not only the Saguaro, but cholla, barrel cactus and the ever-present prickly-pear that is common throughout the western US. This road is also popular with cyclists.
Backpacking is only possible in the Rincon Mountain District, and this is the only legal means by which visitors can camp in the park. Backcountry permits are required for overnight stays and campsites are limited. Permits can be acquired at the visitor center. Seasonal considerations are important, as summer heat is intense.
There are two visitor centers, one in each of the park’s districts. The park offers no food services, nor camping or lodging. Such services can be easily found in Tucson. The nearest camping is Gilbert Ray Campground about 4 miles south of the Red Hills Visitor Center in the Tucson Mountain District.
Park Junkie Verdict
Saguaro is one of those parks that does not require an extended stay, unless of course, you wish to journey into the high-country of the Rincons.
My last visit included a 3-day winter backpacking trip to Manning Camp. The trip was fantastic, but the hiking was brutal. I came off of the trail feeling pretty beat up, however it was that satisfied beaten up feeling, so it was really cool in the end…
The easily passable scenic drives and moderate dayhike options allow one to soak up the cactus vibes in relatively laid back day or two. Tucson has its sites too, so you may wish to stay a lil longer… See the visiting and activities pages for more ideas.
See ya there…
Guide to Saguaro
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