Saguaro National Park

A symbol of the American west, the Saguaro Cactus only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. Known as “The Sentinel of The Desert,” the Saguaro is the largest cactus species in North America and is also Arizona’s state flower. Saguaro National Park is home to approximately 1.6 million individual saguaro plants.

Saguaro National Park has two separate areas to the east and west of Tucson. A stop on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historical Trail, the western Tucson Mountain District is home to the popular Signal Hill Trail that leads to petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people. Desert sunsets, coyotes, deer, tortoise, rabbits, and quail are common in the desert scrubland.

In the eastern higher elevation Rincon Mountain area of the park, you may see black bear, Mexican Spotted Owl and white-tailed deer. This area is more woodland and pine forest. Javelina, bobcat and mountain lions also reside in the park, but are harder to spot. home to a fascinating collection of native cactus and wildflowers that bloom from early spring through late fall.

The park has numerous hiking trails for all levels of fitness, as well as nature tails connected with the visitor centers. Other highlights include wilderness hiking and backcountry camping, scenic drives, and picnic spots.