You’ll have plenty of room to explore the numerous saguaros there because this huge park along the lower Verde river is spread out over more than 20,000 acres. The Phoenix New Times called McDowell Mountain Regional Park “The Best Place to See a Cactus” in 2015, and for good cause. While hiking on one of the more than 50 kilometers of hiking routes, including the well-known Tom’s Thumb Trail, have a look at the saguaro cactus. You might even see some desert creatures, including deer and javelina, feasting on the cactus fruits.
Where in Phoenix can I find a tall cactus?
One of the biggest municipal parks in the country is South Mountain Park & Preserve, which is only a few miles south of the center of Phoenix. Saguaro cacti that have been flourishing there for years can be found on the park’s numerous paths and peaks. Dobbins Lookout, the highest point in the park at 2,330 feet, is one of the most well-liked locations. If you feel like taking a beautiful journey, you can get to Dobbins Lookout by car, bike, or foot. Enjoy the saguaros and the downtown Phoenix skyline while you’re there.
Where in Arizona can I see tall cacti?
In Tucson, Arizona, you may find the biggest cacti in the country. The enormous saguaro cactus is the common representation of the American West. Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the contemporary city of Tucson, provides protection for these magnificent plants, which are only present in a limited section of the United States. Here, you can see these giant cacti that are beautifully silhouetted by a stunning desert sunset.
Where in Arizona can I find cacti?
Although the wildflower season may be largely finished, another kind of bloom is bringing color to the desolate, dry environment. Many different cactus species have brilliant flowers that come in a range of colors and are quite stunning to behold.
Before leaving, check the websites or Facebook pages of some of these locations to see whether they are open or have changed their hours.
How many of these places have you been to when they are in bloom? Have we missed your favorite place? If you want to learn more about Saguaro National Park, let us know and read our earlier article: In this special national park in Arizona, about 2 million cacti flourish.
Are there any establishments, shops, or tourist sites in Arizona that you feel the world should be aware of? You might see your nomination mentioned in a future story, so head over to our nomination page and scream them out!
In Scottsdale, where is the saguaro cactus?
The saguaro cactus is without a doubt the living emblem of the Sonoran Desert. They commonly show up in advertisements, motion pictures, and works of art because to their majestic arms and towering stalks that are well-known throughout the world. However, some of the estimated 50 million saguaros scattered across the 100,000 square mile Sonoran Desert area have obviously gone berserk. These bizarre creatures are known as crested, or cristate, saguaros and come in a variety of shapes, such as the exalted ring crest (of which only 71 are known to exist), as well as a wide range of bizarre natural patterns. It is not quite clear why they develop the way they do. Possible causes include hormonal imbalances, genetic defects, lightning strikes, and frost damage. They are incredibly distinctive people, and I think of them as living works of desert art, whatever the cause.
There are roughly 2,200 crested saguaros that have been identified, and many of them were discovered, mapped, and documented by the tireless explorers of the Crested Saguaro Society. Once you become aware of the beauty and uniqueness of these exotic cactus sculptures, you can, like I have, go on a quixotic quest to find them by trekking new paths and traveling bumpy backroads. The crests are dispersed, with some being discovered close to Scottsdale. Notable examples may also be seen close to Tucson and in the southern Arizona destinations of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Here are three crested saguaros that can inspire you to go outside and get some exercise if you need motivation.
On a loping, picturesque track in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in North Scottsdale, you can see my favorite local crested saguaro. This magnificent example, a regal double crest, can be found where the Coyote Canyon and Desperado Trails converge. Get your drink, hat, and sunscreen at the Granite Mountain Trailhead before you park. In order to access this enormous crested saguaro, you must hike a number of pathways. There are good maps available at the trailhead, and the total round-trip journey is 3.7 miles.
Please keep in mind that saguaro cacti have shallow, delicate root systems and can be damaged by excessive foot traffic close to their base while you admire this crested beauty or any saguaro for that matter. Additionally, they are top-heavy, which makes them susceptible to strong winds, especially if their roots are compromised. So make sure to maintain a distance of at least ten feet while gazing in awe at their incredibly imaginative forms.
A stunning crested saguaro can be found further north, just outside the eccentric communities of Carefree and Cave Creek, off N. Horseshoe Dam Road, approximately 50 yards up a tiny hill. This specimen is aesthetically attractive with its swirling lines and wavy shapes and has a single shield crest atop a robust trunk. To get there, take Cave Creek Road to the northeast, then turn right onto Bartlett Dam Road, then left onto N. Horseshoe Dam Road. On N. Horseshoe Dam Road, proceed 3.2 miles, halt, and turn to your left to look up. You are welcome to stop, park, and proceed up the hill to get a better look. Just keep in mind to keep at least a few yards away to safeguard the crest’s delicate root structure. Notably, N. Horseshoe Dam Road is paved up until the last stretch, yet it is still accessible for 2WD passenger cars.
Within a half-mile of the recently opened Pima Dynamite Trailhead, in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, is another exceptional specimen. Take the Latigo Trail northeast until you come to a group of tan granite rocks. One of the more popular natural patterns, the fan form is a characteristic feature of this crest. It’s gorgeous!
The majority of crested saguaros are buried well beneath the desert’s surface, and once they are found, few people are eager to divulge their position. But from now on, you’ll keep a watch out for the strange-looking crested saguaro whenever you go hiking in the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy the journey!
I’ve devoted my entire life to taking pictures of the locals and the untamed landscapes of the American West and Pacific Rim. Realizing the dream of earning a living by documenting people enjoying and exploring their surroundings and sharing their aspirations via the lens of photography.
Identifying Features
One of the species that characterizes the Sonoran Desert is the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea). These plants are huge, tree-like columnar cacti, some of which never sprout arms or branches as they age. There may be over 25 of these arms, which often curve upward. Protective spines cover saguaros, which also have white blooms in the late spring and red fruit in the summer.
Habitat
Only the Sonoran Desert is home to saguaros. Temperature and water are the two main elements that affect growth. The saguaro can be killed by frost and cold weather if the height is too high. Although both winter and summer rains occur in the Sonoran Desert, it is believed that the Saguaro receives the majority of its moisture during the summer rainy season.
Range
This cactus can be found in western Sonora, Mexico, and southern Arizona. They are more common on the warmer south-facing hills in the northern part of their range. Southeast California is also home to a few stray flora.
Size
Cactus called saguaro grow very slowly. A plant that is 10 years old might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro trees can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet (12-18m). When the saguaro is well-hydrated and there is plenty of rain, it can weigh between 3200 and 4800 pounds.
Quick Facts
The majority of the saguaro plant’s roots are merely 4-6 inches deep and extend outward as far as its height from the plant. One deep root, or tap root, penetrates the ground more than two feet deep.
When a saguaro dies, its woody ribs can be utilized to make furniture, fences, and roofs. Among the dead saguaros are the “saguaro boots,” or holes where birds formerly built their nests. Before the canteen was invented, Native Americans used these as water bottles.
A saguaro cactus is it safe to touch?
A. The 78-foot-tallest saguaro ever measured fell over in 1986. There isn’t a particular saguaro in the park that is known to be the tallest in the vicinity. Check around the Loma Verde loop in the park’s East District if you’re seeking for tall Saguaros.
Are the spines of cacti poisonous? A. Cactus spines are not dangerous or venomous, but they can nevertheless pierce skin and cause an infection just like any other type of wound. Use cautious before touching anything!
A. Saguaros are a cactus that grows very slowly. In the first eight years of its life, a saguaro grows between 1 and 1.5 inches in Saguaro National Park, according to studies. more
A. The picnic spots in Saguaro National Park do not accept reservations. First come, first served applies.
2. Having picnics with parties of 20 or more people
3. Retreats from religion
4. The scattering of human cadavers
Prior to the actual date sought, a special use permit must be filled out and submitted to the park. All recreational special use licenses have a $100 (minimum) processing charge.
Is a trip to Saguaro National Park worthwhile?
Get up close to the Saguaro cactus, prickly pears, and ironwood trees on this short, straightforward walking trail. For a fantastic view of the park, keep going to the trail’s finish.
Given that we passed through one of the densest cactus communities, this was one of our favorite walks in the park. And it’s flat, simple, and suitable for people of all ages.
Signal Hill Petroglyphs
0.5 miles roundtrip distance Location: Bajada Loop Drive’s Signal Hill Picnic Area
You will climb a hill on this short trek to get a charming overview of the park.
You may see the petroglyphs, also known as rock art, created by the Hohokam people more than 800 years ago on the rocks on top of the hill and along the path.
PRO TRAVEL ADVICE: Watch out for scorpions, gila monsters, and rattlesnakes. Always be aware of your surroundings and stay on the track. Never stick your hands or feet in crevices or under rocks. Although a rattlesnake did crawl over the path at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, we never saw one in the park itself.
Desert Discovery Nature Trail
This is a self-guided nature trail, with lots of informative signs about the Saguaro cactus and the desert ecosystem. It is fantastic for all ages, easy to walk, and instructive.
Hike to Wassen Peak
Get on a hike to Wassen Peak’s summit for a huge adventure. Although it is hard and around 8 miles round trip, you’ll get one of the nicest vistas of the park.
This was at the top of our list, but we decided against going because the park was so hot.
There are numerous routes to ascend Wassen Peak. We intended to begin on the Sendero Esperanza Trail in order to accomplish our goal. Hugh Norris Trail and this trail cross one other. To reach the summit of Wassen Peak, turn left along the Hugh Norris Trail and proceed eastward.
Although there are many other hiking trails in Saguaro National Park, this one caught our attention the most. The complete list is available here.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Although this is not a national park, it is an excellent spot to come if you want to learn more about the desert ecosystem. With animal exhibits, an aquarium, botanical gardens, and a natural history museum, this is more of a zoo than a museum.
It would be fairly simple to visit the entire estate in at least a half-day.
A wild rattlesnake slithered across the walkway in front of me while I was strolling through the museum. If I hadn’t been paying attention, I would have stepped straight on this tiny fella, so you really have to watch where you step. I snapped one last picture of him before he vanished before he slipped off into the rocks and underbrush.
Price: $24.95; children aged 3 to 12 pay $13.95 Open every day; seasonal hours may change. 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday hours are extended and they start earlier in the summer. Website: Check out the company’s official website for the most recent prices and a complete schedule of their business hours.
Saguaro East (Rincon Mountain District)
Saguaro West is a less popular and smaller area of the park. But it’s still worthwhile to go if you have the time. Additionally, if you’re interested in backcountry camping, here is the location (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West).
Cactus Forest Drive
The loop via Saguaro East is 8 miles long. It only goes in one direction and begins and ends at the visitor center. There are numerous pull-outs and overlooks scattered throughout the paved road.
Here are some activities you can do while driving:
Short walking path known as the Desert Ecology Trail that resembles Saguaro West’s Desert Discovery Nature Trail.
Climb the rocks at Javelina Rocks Overlook to get a view of Tucson and Saguaro National Park.
Hike in Saguaro East
Saguaro East has hundreds of miles of trails, from quick, easy strolls to multi-day backpacking excursions.
The Mica View Trail is the one that is the most accessible. This level, two-mile roundtrip track is simple to stroll. You’ll pass by enormous Saguaro cacti up close and enjoy lovely views of Tucson and the Rincon Mountains along the route. From the trail, we could see wildlife like roadrunners.
Plan Your Visit
$25 for each vehicle. This covers both park areas and is valid for 7 days.
The Tucson Mountain District (also known as Saguaro West) is open from dawn till dusk. Saguaro East’s Rincon Mountain District is open from six in the morning until sunset. The park is accessible by bike or foot every day.
Visit the Saguaro National Park webpage to learn more about the present state of the park.
Planning Your Time
Unless you choose to sleep out in the backcountry, Saguaro National Park may be explored in a single day.
If you only have an hour to spare, we advise going to Saguaro West. We thought this area of the park was more spectacular because of the denser cactus population. Drive the Bajada Loop Drive, go on the Desert Discovery Walk, then trek to Signal Hill and Valley View Overlook.
If you enjoy hiking, you might want to consider going to Wassen Peak. Alternately, hike a portion of the Sendero Esperanza Trail or the Hugh Norris Trail.
As long as you have enough time to spend here for it to be economical, a trip to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is recommended if you are traveling with children.
You can tour both East and West Saguaro with a full day. Visit one area of the park in the morning, eat lunch, and then explore the other area in the late afternoon.
How We Acted:
Day 1 began with us traveling from Sedona to Tucson, where we arrived in the late afternoon. After spending some time at Saguaro East, we went to Tucson to check into our hotel.
On day two, we went to Saguaro West. We got there early to avoid the sweltering midday sun. But even in June, the temperature reached 95F by 8:30 am. We returned to Phoenix via car in the late afternoon.
When to Go
The hottest months are June and July. During these months, it’s not unusual for high temperatures to reach over 100 degrees. The monsoon season starts in mid-June. Thunderstorms in the afternoon deliver much-needed rain and, at the very least, a little amount of cooling to the area. Typically, the monsoon season lasts until September.
The best months to visit the park are January through March, when the weather is comfortable (with highs in the 60s) and there is little chance of rain. Although there are still plenty of people around on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, November and December are still quite pleasant times to travel.
You have the best chance of witnessing the Saguaro cacti bloom if you go to the park between early May and the first week of June. We just missed the blooming season because we went on June 12 after it had ended.
How to Get Here
Here are the travel times and distances to adjacent locations:
- Phoenix, Arizona: 1.75 hours and 115 miles
- 230 miles and 3.5 hours to get to Sedona, Arizona
- 320 miles and 4.5 hours to get to El Paso, Texas
Where to Stay
Except for camping in Saguaro East, there are no lodging options inside Saguaro National Park. You will need a permit in order to do this. Visit the official national park website to learn more.
Gilbert Ray Campground is recommended by one of our fantastic readers. He claims you get fantastic views of the cacti from this location, which is just outside of Saguaro West. Regards, Alex.
Tucson offers a wide range of options, including numerous Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and other hotel chains. Here are a couple ideas with more personality that are based on price and facilities.
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa, an upscale hotel. This is the place to stay if you want a resort with restaurants, outdoor activities, swimming pools, and a location close to Saguaro West.
Where we stayed was here. We picked this hotel because to its favorable reviews and convenient location. We were upgraded to the Presidential Suite because it was our 20th wedding anniversary. It was such a wonderful surprise! We always reserve and pay for our hotel stays, so our upgrading had nothing to do with managing this website, and the staff was unaware of our travel blog.
This location is perfect if you are traveling with children. There are numerous pools, a lazy river, and corn hole to keep kids occupied and entertained.
Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn, mid-range. This inn is situated close to Saguaro East in eastern Tuscon. This lovely home features a pool outside and a view of the mountains around. It’s solely for adults.
Expense: Hotel McCoy.
This hotel is conveniently located off of Route 10. Saguaro East and West are both 30 minutes’ drive apart from here. The establishment contains a pool and serves Arizona-produced beer, wine, and coffee.
Please leave a remark below if you have any queries or would like to share your experience with Saguaro National Park.