Saguaro National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. 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. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
First designated as Saguaro National Monument in 1933, the area received national park status in 1994. It is also the ancestral home of the Tohono O’odham people, who today continue to play a role in the park’s culture, visiting every year in the early summer to pick saguaro fruit.
In addition to a broad expanse of desert, Saguaro National Park features mountainous regions – some reaching more than 8,000 feet above sea level – where pine and coniferous forests form a canvas of greenery. These varied landscapes provide ideal habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna, including wildlife such as javelina, coyote, quail, and desert tortoise in the lower elevations and black bear, deer, and Mexican spotted owl in the upper elevations
Where it is:
Rincon Mountain District (EAST): 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730
From the City of Tucson
- Keep in mind that RVs do not have anywhere to park on the east side.
- Travel east on Broadway to Freeman Road on the city’s far east side.
- Turn right on Freeman Road and drive south for 3 miles
- Turn left onto Old Spanish Trail.
- Drive .25 miles southeast on Old Spanish Trail to the park entrance on the left side of the road.
From Interstate 10
- Exit I-10 at exit # 275 (Houghton Road) and drive north 8 miles
- Turn right on Escalante Road and drive for 2 miles
- Turn left on Old Spanish Trail. The park entrance is on the right in 0.3 miles.
Tucson Mountain District (WEST): 2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743
Call the visitor 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. if you need further directions. (520) 733-5158
From north of Tucson:
- Keep in mind that there is no RV parking on the loop at the west side
- Take I-10 to Avra Valley Road (exit 242) and drive west 6 miles to Sandario Road.
- Turn left (south) on Sandario Road and drive for 14 miles.
- Turn left onto Kinney Road. The Red Hills Visitor Center is 2 miles on your left.
From the center of Tucson:
- Travel west on Speedway Boulevard over Gates Pass to Kinney Road.
NOTE: Vehicle weight limit 12,000 lbs. Vehicles over 25 feet not recommended. Use directions from north or south of Tucson (above and below). - Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 4 miles.
- At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
- Continue north 1 mile on Kinney Road to the Red Hills Visitor Center, on the right.
From south of Tucson:
- From I-19 exit onto Ajo Way (State Route 86) and travel west to Kinney Road.
- Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 18 miles.
- At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
- Continue north 1 mile on Kinney Road to the Red Hills Visitor Center, on the right.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
Red Hills Visitor Center Saguaro National Park West 32.254328648757905, -111.19656918346124
Rincon Mountain Visitor Center Saguaro National Park East 32.18014251624388, -110.73623736093812
Cost:
Entering the park by foot, bicycle or horseback
Individual Permit – $15 (Valid for 7 Days)
Entering the park by private vehicle (car or RV)
Vehicle Permit – $25 (Valid for 7 Days)
Entering the park by private motorcycle
Motorcycle Permit – $20 (Valid for 7 Days)
Saguaro National Park Annual Pass
Saguaro National Park Annual Pass – $45
Covers entrance to Saguaro National Park in Tucson Arizona for 12 months. It is not refundable or transferable. The Pass is mailed to your home address.
Hours:
In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset daily (Actual times vary throughout the year).
In the Rincon Mountain District (east), the park is open to vehicles from 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the summer, and 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the winter.
You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day.
Visitor Center – Both Districts are open on all holidays except Christmas.
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Inside the visitor center you can find information about the park and activities to do, as well as a book store where you can purchase items such as books, post cards, posters, Mata Ortiz pottery, a taste of the desert and much more!
Saguaro National Park Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Arizona
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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