Are you planning a trip to Saguaro National Park in Arizona? We are excited to share our Saguaro National Park Travel Guide filled with great info to help you plan your best vacation! These are things we have learned from visiting the park.
Saguaro National Park Travel Guide
Travel Tips
My first tip is to not get food poisoning while visiting Saguaro National Park. Trust me on this it is not the best place to have this happen. You see there is only 1 bathroom along the scenic drive at the east portion of the park. When both you and your wife end up with food poisoning, and there is only 1 bathroom and you are surrounded by saguaro cactuses...well you can imagine what fun that morning was.
Keep an eye out for Gila Monsters
We had the opportunity to photograph them crossing the road and along the side of the road during our visit to the park.
You can print the current park brochure before your visit here. This will give you up to date information on programs being offered and things to do in the park.
Bring water with you or a water bottle. Most of the National Park stores no longer sell water. There are water filling stations at the visitor center and bike ramada in RMD.
Pack sunglasses or a hat! It can be crazy bright and sunny in the park. Sunscreen is also your friend.
Africanized honey bees also are known as Killer Bees are found in the park! Be aware of your surroundings and listen for hive activity. If you are attacked get the heck out of there as quickly as you can while protecting your face and head! The bees will stop attacking when you are ¼ to ½ mile away from the hive. YES that far away!
Don't play with cactus! See our post on what happened while we were at Joshua Tree to see just how painful a Cholla Cactus barb can be.
Drones cannot be flown within the National Park.
Check out all of the epic things to do in Saguaro
Here is a great list of where to stay in Tuscon
There are a ton of other great things to do in Tuscon
We love the idea of going horseback riding in Tuscon.
Saguaro National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $25.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $45.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Where is Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro National Park - East
Rincon Mountain District: 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730
From Tuscon:
Travel east on Broadway or Speedway Boulevard to Freeman Road (turn right on Freeman Road). Drive south on Freeman Road (4 miles [6.5 kilometers] from Speedway, 3 miles [5 kilometers] from Broadway) to Old Spanish Trail. Turn left on Old Spanish Trail. Drive .25 miles (.4 kilometers) southeast on Old Spanish Trail to the Park entrance on the left side of the road.
Saguaro National Park - West
Tucson Mountain District: 2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743
From Tuscon:
Travel west on Speedway Boulevard. At the junction of Camino de Oeste, Speedway Boulevard will change names to Gates Pass Road. From this junction, drive 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) west on Gates Pass Road until it ends at Kinney Road (turn right on Kinney Road). Drive 3 miles (5 kilometers) north on Kinney Road to the Park entrance (entrance will be on the right side of the road). Vehicles exceeding 12,000 pounds GVWR are prohibited on Gates Pass Rd.
Where are the Saguaro National Park Visitor Centers?
Red Hills Visitor Center (Saguaro West) and the Visitor Center (Saguaro East) Rincon Mountain District
Visitor Center is open 364 days per year.
Monday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed Christmas day)
Don't miss all of the epic things to do in Saguaro National Park
Where can I find out about staying/camping in Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro National Park has no campgrounds that are accessible by vehicle. Backcountry camping is available in Saguaro East only.
Primitive camping is available in the Saguaro Wilderness Area, located in the Rincon Mountain District, and requires a camping permit.
There are many public campgrounds available nearby. The closest campground to the Rincon Mountain District is found on the Coronado National Forest. Call (520) 760-2301 for more information.
Is there a Junior Ranger Program at Saguaro National Park?
Yes! The park offers both a Junior Ranger program and a Not So Junior Ranger program!
You can learn more about both programs and the Self-Guided Discovery Day Packs that are offered at the park here.
Can I bring my Dog/Pet with me to Saguaro National Park?
Pets are allowed only on roadways, picnic areas (except Mam-A-Gah picnic area in the Tucson Mountain District-west), and paved trails (Desert Ecology Trail & Desert Discovery Trail). Pets must be kept on a leash that does not exceed 6 feet at all times.
Be prepared for cactus spines, thorny brush, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and open mine shafts within the park. Take extra water for your pet and do not leave them in your vehicle.
Saguaro National Park Facts
The highest recorded temperature at Saguaro National Park was 117 degrees F. in 1990.
1,160 plant species are found in the park
6 known species of rattlesnakes can be found in the park.
The saguaro cactus can only be found in the Sonoran Desert.
How to pronounce Saguaro
Saguaro is pronounced “sah-wah-roh”
When was Saguaro National Park Established?
President Herbert Hoover created the Saguaro National Monument in 1933
How big is Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is a 91,442-acre park
How fast does a saguaro cactus grow?
It can take 10 years for a saguaro cactus to reach 1 inch in height.
By 70 years of age, a saguaro cactus can reach 6 and a half feet tall, and will finally start to produce their first flowers.
By 95-100 years in age, a saguaro cactus can reach a height of 15-16 feet and could start to produce its first arm.
By 200 years old, the saguaro cactus has reached its full height, reaching upwards of 45 feet tall.
Where to stay when visiting Saguaro National Park
There are no National Park Lodges in Saguaro National Park
There are many accommodation options in Tucson, and most of them are located less than a half-hour away from either entrance.
There are options for every budget, including motels, hotels (chain and boutique), vacation rentals, and even a few resorts.
Tanque Verde Ranch - Take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, a roundtrip airport shuttle, and a rooftop terrace at Tanque Verde Ranch. Indulge in aromatherapy, a massage, and a body scrub at La Sonora Spa, the onsite spa. Enjoy American cuisine and more at the two onsite restaurants. Yoga classes are offered at the 24-hour gym; other things to do include fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a garden and a playground.
Hilton Tucson East - Take advantage of a coffee shop/café, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar at Hilton Tucson East. The onsite fine-dining restaurant, Alloro D.O.C, features pool views and brunch. In addition to a 24-hour gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson East - At Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson East/Williams Center, you can look forward to a free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and dry cleaning/laundry services. In addition to a fireplace in the lobby and a gym, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
TownePlace Suites Tucson - This smoke-free aparthotel features an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour business center. Free full breakfast, free Wi-Fi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include coffee/tea in a common area, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities. Each apartment provides a kitchenette with a refrigerator, a stovetop, a microwave, and a dishwasher. For a bit of entertainment, guests will find an LCD TV with digital channels and Netflix, and other amenities include free Wi-Fi and premium bedding.
Click on the map below to see current rates for hotels and vacation rentals near Saguaro NP!
Check out these Parks near Saguaro National Park
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
Things to do Petrified Forest NP
Check out more articles on Arizona National Parks and neighboring National Parks in New Mexico and California National Parks.
Additional Resources Information
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
Oh MY GOSH! I'm so jealous about the Gila Monsters!!! I've lived here in AZ for a huge chunk of my life and have never seen one in the wild (and have always wanted to). You guys got SO lucky! So cool!
JohnTillison says
Sara, That is crazy! They were all over the place while we were there. I think it is time that we all plan a return trip to Saguaro. Though this time I am happy to skip the food poisoning..lol!