How To Spend An Incredible One Day In Saguaro National Park
Do you only have time to spend one day in Saguaro National Park and aren’t sure what to do?
Don’t worry, we have you covered!
Nestled in the heart of Tucson, Arizona, this beautiful park offers breathtaking views and unique opportunities to explore the desert landscape. From hiking to scenic drives, there’s plenty to do throughout the day.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway to connect with nature or an adventure-filled day of exploration, Saguaro National Park is sure to have something for everyone.
So grab your hiking boots and sunscreen and prepare yourself for a memorable day in the desert!
Are You Planning An Upcoming Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources To Help!
🏨 Accommodation – This is our Favorite
🎟 Tours/Experiences – We enjoy Viator
🚙 Car Rental – We use this One
🌎 Travel Insurance – We recommend SafetyWing
What Is Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is located in Tucson, Arizona. It is an area created to protect the saguaro cactus.
It is comprised of two separate districts encompassing over 91,000 acres: the Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District.
The two districts are located on opposite sides of Tucson and are divided by the city. The Tucson Mountain District lies to the west of town, while Rincon Mountain District lies to the east.
The park provides spectacular views, unique wildlife, and a variety of drives and hikes for visitors from near and far.
Now that we know a little about the park, let’s discuss how to spend a day within it.
One Day In Saguaro National Park
Do you only have one day to spend in Saguaro National Park? If so, you have two options.
The first option is to visit only one district of the national park. This allows you the whole day to explore one section more in-depth. You can spend more time at overlooks, take a few more hikes, or even take the scenic drive a second time.
If this sounds like a good option, we recommend picking the Tucson Mountain District (west side).
Why the west side? Because this section has a denser population of saguaro cacti and is what you have come to see. It is also the smaller side, which allows you to fit in more activities within a single day.
Your second option is to cut your day in half and spend time in both the east and west districts.
If you want to do this option, it will be a FULL day. Make sure you get up early and be prepared to stay until sunset to make the most of your visit.
Because the areas are on opposite sides of Tucson (about one hour apart), we advise leaving one park district by lunch. Grab some lunch as you pass through Tucson, then spend the rest of the day at the other district.
Tucson Mountain District (West Side)
We suggest you start your day at the Tucson Mountain District.
Red Hills Visitor Center
Your first stop will be at the visitor center. If you still need to purchase your admission for the day, you will do so here.
Chat with a ranger and find out which hikes will be best for you. While we suggest a few of the more popular ones below, you should pick something to suit your personal needs.
Make sure to check out the lovely views around the center before heading out into the park.
Bajada Loop Drive
We suggest you hit the bajada loop drive if it is still early.
This is where we had the best luck with spotting some wildlife during our visit, but you will need to beat the heat if you hope to see a few things.
The Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic 6-mile road that meanders through the western portion of the Tucson Mountain District. This winding route offers incredible views of the desert and mountains and is where you can access several trails and roadside viewpoints.
Highlights include Signal Hill, where you can take a short walk to see some 800-year-old petroglyphs, and the Valley View Overlook, where you can get a fantastic view of the entire western district.
This drive allows you to take in all that the park offers before deciding what hikes you want to enjoy.
📎 Tip: Part of this drive is one-way. We recommend taking your time because you might have to drive around again if you miss something.
Hiking Trails
This park district has tons of trails, ranging from less than one mile to more than ten miles. Because we know you are only spending a day within the national park, these are the shorter trails we recommend.
A tremendous first trail to try is the easy Desert Discovery Trail. Less than half a mile long, this trail still packs a punch with the information it provides. The trail provides plaques along the route detailing information about the desert and cacti you see around you.
Next up is the Valley View Overlook Trail. Just shy of one mile, this trail has you ending in a scenic overlook to view the majestic saguaros and admire the sweeping desert landscape.
This trail is considered easy. You will find that the hike is flat until right at the end, where there is a slight hill to the final viewpoint.
Our last suggestion is the King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop. This one is a bit longer at 2.4 miles, but well worth it. This trail is considered moderate, and it passes through several diverse types of desert terrain, including forests of saguaro cacti, washes, and rocky hillsides.
Rincon Mountain District (east Side)
If you want to split your day between the districts, we suggest hitting up Rincon Mountain District in the afternoon.
If you would rather focus on one side with your limited time, we suggest skipping this side and spending the rest of the day in Tucson Mountain District.
Cactus Forest Loop Drive
The Cactus Forest Drive is an 8-mile paved loop road through Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain District.
The drive offers spectacular views of the rugged desert and mountain landscape. While there are many similarities to the Tucson Mountain District, you will find this side of the national park has more mountainous landscapes and fewer saguaro cacti.
Highlights of the loop include the desert ecology trail, scenic overlooks for great views of the Rincon Mountains, and the Rincon Visitor Center.
The visitor center is a great place to learn about the park’s history and plants, with interpretive displays and information about the unique flora and fauna that call this area home.
📎 Tip: As with the loop drive in Tucson Mountain District, this loop drive also has one-way sections. In fact, most of this drive is one-way. So take your time or you will have to drive around again.
Hiking Trails
Hiking in the Rincon Mountain District when you only have one day to see the national park is a bit more challenging.
There are a few short hikes, but most of the trails on this side of the park are longer due to how the park is spread out. If you want a 5+ mile hike, this side of Saguaro National Park is perfect for you.
We are suggesting two short hikes due to the time constraints but feel free to pick and choose what works for you.
Similar to the desert discovery trail in the Tucson District, the Desert Ecology Trail is a great one to start with as it is an easy, short trail.
The trail is only about 1/2 mile long. The path is flat and is one of the only paths that is wheelchair accessible within Saguaro National Park.
One of the benefits of wandering this short trail is seeing tall saguaro cacti up close. You will find some of the tallest in the eastern park right along this path. In addition, there are plaques lining the trail to learn about the desert and the wildlife that calls the park home.
Our other suggestion is the Mica View Trail. This easy hike is 1.5 miles. We highly recommend this one as it is the only place where you can see Mica Peak, the tallest point in the national park.
Rundown of Your Day Trip To Saguaro National Park
Feeling overwhelmed by the information we provided? Here is a short and sweet summary to help you out.
Recap Of What To Do In The Park With One Day
Tucson Mountain District
- Red Hills Visitor Center
- Bajada Loop Drive
- Desert Discovery Trail
- Valley View Overlook Trail
- King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop
Rincon Mountain District
- Cactus Forest Loop Drive with a quick stop at the visitor center
- Desert Ecology Trail
- Mica View Trail
Wildlife
While the Sonoran Desert can be unforgiving, wildlife has found a way to survive and even thrive in the harsh conditions of the park.
Much of the wildlife comes out when it is cooler rather than during the heat of the day. If you want to try to catch some of the wildlife, you will need to arrive when the park opens or stay until closing.
There is a huge variety of wildlife within the park, from reptiles to birds to mammals. That said, many of the animals are nocturnal to compensate for the heat of the desert.
Don’t expect to see much, and certainly don’t make Saguaro National Park your pick if you want wildlife experiences.
We had some luck driving the scenic loop in Tucson Mountain District just before sunset. But even then, we only spotted some birds, rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels. We saw no large mammals, though the national park service says javelinas are regularly seen in the park.
We did see our share of reptiles along the hikes, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you will likely see roadrunners and birds of prey within the park.
In addition, openings and holes in the saguaro cactus are the perfect spot for smaller nesting birds so pay special attention to those spots.
Rattlesnakes are seen on occasion in the park. In fact, during our visit, a woman had just come into the visitors center with a picture of one she had seen on a trail.
So stay diligent on the trails and watch where you step.
Hours & Admission
The Tucson Mountain District is open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
The Rincon Mountain District is open from 5 am to 8 pm in the summer. In the winter, it is open from 5 am to 6 pm.
Like many other national parks, you need to purchase an entrance pass to visit the park. You can do it on-site or buy it before your visit here.
Fees are $25 USD for a personal vehicle, valid for seven days.
The other option is to purchase the annual America the Beautiful Pass, which gives you access to Saguaro National Park and more than 2000 national units in the US. It costs $80 USD and is valid for two individuals for an entire year.
If you plan to visit the other national parks in Arizona or are going on a road trip, the America the Beautiful Pass will be your best option.
FAQs For Spending The Day In Saguaro National Park
Let’s talk about some Saguaro National Park questions that often arise.
What Is A Saguaro Cactus
As we mentioned above, Saguaro National Park was put in place to protect this cactus species. So what makes them so special?
These iconic plants are native only to the Sonoran Desert and can grow up to 50 feet tall, making them the largest cactus species in the US. The average lifespan is 150 to 175 years, though some have been found to surpass 250 years.
The saguaro cactus takes a very long time to grow, needing more than 50 to 70 years to sprout its first arm. By the time it reaches 100 years, it often has a handful of arms. And by 150 years old, it can have as many as 25 arms!
Arms are significant to a saguaro as it is where the cactus stores its water to survive during droughts.
The saguaro blossom is the official flower of the state of Arizona, and it can be seen blooming throughout Saguaro National Park in late spring and early summer.
The saguaro cacti are a vital part of the desert ecosystem; their blossoms attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds while their arms create shade for other plants.
Best Time To Visit Saguaro National Park
Winter is the perfect time to visit Saguaro National Park.
The cooler temperatures (daily highs are in the 60s°F) make for comfortable hikes and stunning views from December to February. And while we still didn’t see much wildlife during our winter visit, the cooler weather provided more opportunities for a possible encounter.
Plus, there are fewer crowds in the winter, so you can enjoy all this unique park offers without worrying about overcrowding.
Spring would be our next choice. The weather is still cool enough to hike, and all the stunning saguaro cacti blossoms will be blooming.
But we advise against summertime visits as temperatures regularly reach 100°F between June and August.
Where To Stay In Tucson Near The Park
Luxury 💵 💵 💵 – JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort
- Located in a saguaro cactus forest
- Spa and golf course on-site
- Three outdoor pools and multiple hot tubs
➡️ Check Availability & Prices at JW Marriott Tucson Starr
Mid-Range 💵 💵 – Tucson Marriott University Park
- Modern and stylish
- Close to the Tucson streetcar to get around town for activities
- Excellent views of Tucson, especially from the top floors
➡️ Check Availability & Prices at Tucson Marriott University Park
Budget 💵 – Hotel McCoy
- Artist vibe with murals and bright-colored furniture
- Free bikes if you want to go for a ride
- On-site bar serves lots of local wines and beers to wind down at the end of the day
➡️ Check Availability & Prices at Hotel McCoy
Best Way To Get Around Saguaro
Some of the larger national parks have shuttle services to get around to different areas of the park. Unfortunately, Saguaro is not one of them.
This leaves you with only one option to get around the park, and that is to have a personal vehicle. A car will allow you to take the scenic drive loops at your own pace and drive between hiking locations to make the most of your day.
Plus, if you have the time, you can visit other interesting cities around the area like Tombstone or Bisbee.
If you have flown into Tucson or Phoenix and need to rent a car, we recommend checking out Discover Cars to compare prices because they carry all the big rental companies in one place, like Hertz and Dollar.
🚙 Book your ride with Discover Cars
📎 Tip: Walking or riding a bike is a great way to get around once inside the park. You can even take a bike tour along the scenic road in East Saguaro National Park.
What To Bring On Your Visit To Saguaro National Park
No matter the time of year you visit, we suggest you bring these items along.
Oldest Saguaro Cactus In The Park
The oldest recorded saguaro cactus in the world lived at one time inside Saguaro National Park.
Nicknamed the Old Granddaddy, the cactus was around 300 years old when it died in the 1990s. Standing more than 40 feet tall, it had more than 50 arms!
This one has since died, but why don’t you try to find what you think might be the oldest one in the park?
Remember that arms help signify age, so one with a lot will be quite old.
Tucson Nearby Attractions
As Saguaro National Park is located just minutes from Tucson, it is easy to visit additional attractions if you have time. Here is a couple of our recommendations.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located near the entrance of Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain District.
This popular attraction features a variety of exhibits that showcase the desert landscapes, plants, and animals native to the area.
Highlights include a desert loop trail, a hummingbird aviary, and interactive displays about local ecology. Animals that can be seen include prairie dogs, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions.
The museum also features a desert garden filled with cacti and other native plants.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is more than just a museum; it’s an educational experience that will delight visitors of all ages.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about the local wildlife or want to explore the beauty of the desert, this is a great place to start or end your Saguaro National Park adventure.
Pima Air & Space museum
If you are wanting to get out of the Southwest sun for a bit, the Pima Air and Space Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in aviation and aerospace history.
Founded in 1975, the museum offers visitors an array of fascinating exhibits that explore the wild blue yonder. You can explore various military and civilian planes, including classic WWII bombers, modern fighter jets, and lunar landers.
The Pima Air and Space Museum is one of the largest aerospace museums in the world, with over 300 aircraft on display.
To Finish – How To Spend An Incredible One day In Saguaro National Park
Spending a day in Saguaro National Park is an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Whether you spend some time exploring scenic drives, hiking an easy trail, or tackling one of the longer, more challenging hikes, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views and a newfound appreciation for this unique desert landscape.
The park is the perfect place to spend one day, so don’t wait. Come and see what Saguaro National Park has to offer!
