Saguaro National Park Travel Guide
While we were in Tucson, we decided to check out Saguaro National Park, which boarders the city.
Check it out for yourself in our travel video of Saguaro National Park here. Here’s everything you need to know about Saguaro National Park…
Saguaro National Park
Zimmerman Quick Stats
Size: 91,716 acres
Location: Southeastern Arizona, outside of Tucson
National Park Established In: 1994
Best For: hiking, backpacking, and scenic, wildflower drives
What to Do:
Mini Adventure
If you want a stunning scenic drive, check out the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, in the Rincon Mountain District.
It’s an eight miles of paved road with pullouts where you can stop and enjoy the beautiful views. If you want to see it all, but keep everyone contained in the car, this is the perfect option for you!
Mega Adventure
Hike the highest peak in the Tucson Mountain District, Wasson Peak!
You start at the King Canyon Trailhead and then hike up the eight mile loop to the peak. You can even see ancient petroglyphs along the way. Enjoy the views from the peak, then hike down the Hugh Norris Trail.
It’s a long loop, but if you have the energy (and fewer young children than I do!) check it out.
Worth a Stop:
Learn about the local plant and animal life at the The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Keep in mind, this is near the park’s west entrance, on the far side from Tucson. There’s even a hummingbird atrium!
And I didn’t have time to go, but I’ve heard great things about Colossal Cave, near the park’s eastern section, has some wild rock formations and a butterfly garden.
What We Did:
Picnic time!
We found THE PRETTIEST PICNIC LUNCH SPOT EVER!
Ez-Kim-In-Zin is the name of the spot. We packed lunches, and although lunch didn’t include a glorious Tucson taco, the view more than made up for it.
Since we were just making a quick trip from our home base at the Tucson KOA, we decided to stay in the car for most of the trip and drive Golden Gate Road to the picnic spot. We enjoyed our picnic lunch there, then we drove the Bajada Scenic Loop and stopped off and hiked Signal Hill to see the petroglyphs.
Perfect day trip!
Other options
Check out this list of great things to do in Saguaro National Park!
When to Go:
I’d suggest avoiding high summer at all costs, when the temperatures rise above 100 degrees most days.
Visit in the spring (46 to 91 degrees), fall (46 to 95 degrees), or winter (39 to 69 degrees). And dress in layers!
Where to Stay:
There is no vehicle camping inside the actual park boundaries, which is why we opted to stay camped at the Tucson KOA.
There are six backcountry camping options, and you can get a permit from the park visitor’s center.
Manning Camp is the largest and is mostly protected from high temperatures. It also has a water source that’s available year-round!
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Tucson KOA. Worth mentioning again— heated pool and hot tub!
Where to Eat:
We packed a great lunch and plenty of snacks. Kids carry their own food and water in their backpacks.
Here’s what’s always in our backpacks!
If you pack a lunch, picnic at our favorite spot, Ez-Kim-In-Zin!
Fun Fact
Lots to do nearby! Check out these cool attractions if you want to fill out your trip.
KID FRIENDLY?
Yes, there are so many benefits to hiking with kids. It’s a great opportunity to teach real life lessons about risk and safety. It also allows them to be in nature, be creative, and to create their own adventure.
There are so many great things to stop and explore, so the kids get to be in charge of what they want to explore. A hike is kind of a kid’s curiosity playground. They get to jump on rocks, play in a puddle, ask tons of questions, etc.
Here’s what I take on every hike.
Jr. Ranger Program:
This is such a great way to get the kids involved and really get excited about the park. You can go on the park website and download all the information and resources and print it beforehand so you can learn about it with your kids before you go. Then you’d turn your booklet into a ranger at the visitors center and receive your Jr. Ranger pins, or you can wait until you get to the National Park (that’s what we do), and receive a beautifully colorful workbook, do the activities while at the National Park, then head back to the visitors center (before they close) and receive the pins.
Either is great! We love the workbook the parks provide, and it means we don’t have to figure out where to get the content printed.
HERE’S WHAT I BOUGHT TO MAKE THIS EVEN MORE FUN FOR THE KIDS
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK PASSPORT STAMP LOCATIONS:
Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center
3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730
Tucson Mountain District Visitor Center
2700 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
Ok - here’s the truth. I’m kind of a nerd about this. I think it dates back to when I was twenty-five and had never been anywhere, and I flew to Europe and received my first passport stamp.
To this day, that old passport is one of my most treasured possessions. Each stamp burns a memory and I love to think back on the time away whenever I see those stamps.
So naturally, I’m all about the fact that you can get a passport stamp at each and every National Park. Just walk into the visitors center; there is usually the stamp and ink sitting out for self-use. I have passports for each member of the family.
Purchase yours here.
