From the scenic Tumacacori National Historical Park to informative museums like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Sonoran Desert Museum, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about this areas rich history. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60136795', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson is really pretty, and it creates some really nice shadows in the mountains and on the cacti, but you very likely won't catch any colors, if that's what you're looking for. The Hohokam Petroglyph site is a striking example of what can be seen while exploring Saguaro National Park. Thanks for . You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. Turn left onto Kinney Road. Ranger programs are available year round in Saguaro National Park, but the January through April high-season offers the largest availability and selection. Although the white sands look magnificent against a blue sky, the wildflowers add unique touches of color. . Saguaro National Park, located near Tucson, Arizona, is home to the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest. Saguaro National Park is made for photography adventures with kids and grown-ups. In point #3, we talked about finding the best sunset spots in the park and this was without a doubt one of them. On the way to the top, there's a particularly good view of saguaro as the slopes descend toward the valley floor. June and July are the hottest months to visit. We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107F. Bajada Loop Drive. LOVE the cactus!! 2 /20. Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park. As outdoor lovers and travel photographers, we created a store to share our joy for the natural world with affordable gifts and products. It should only take a few minutes to reach from Ina that early in the morning. Estimates calculate that roughly 1.8 million Saguaros grow within the parks borders. Its easy to walk, educational, and great for all ages. With their stunning white flowers, Saguaros in bloom are certainly a sight to see. Specialty Museums, Art Galleries, Natural History Museums, Missions, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This drive offers incredible scenic views of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the east slopes of this mountain. The vista changes from desert to mountains, to ravine, to rock formations. This is often dubbed one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. One day is all you need to visit Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to go camping in the backcountry. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. Enjoy your time taking pictures of animals, like javelinas! Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Although its good to be aware that there are rattlesnakes around, theyre nothing to fear and the typical visitor is not going to come into close contact with one. We were here in January--temperatures were in the mid-50s to the upper 60s. More than 800 miles of trails wind through cactus gardens and forests of saguaros, cholla, and prickly pear, as well as other desert plants. Sunrise photography at Saguaro National Park can be challenging as the mountains often obstruct your views to the east. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. The best spot to catch sunset at the park is on the east side at either the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. Ask . On day 2, we visited Saguaro West, getting an early start to avoid the hot midday temperatures. Saguaro National Park is amazing and there are so many great things to do. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the visitor center. A wide-angle lens. In the western part of the Tucson Mountain District, the Signal Hill Trail is a trail that leads to the petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people. 30 Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park, 35 Best Photography Spots in Capitol Reef National Park. Hours: Vehicles, Saguaro East-5:00 am to 8:00 pm in summer, 5:00 am to 6:00 pm in winter; Saguaro West-sunrise to sunset, year-round. Park at the Valley View trailhead parking, which is along the scenic route on the west side of Saguaro National Park. When we have visitors, Saguaro National Park (East) is always on the list of places to go. . To complete the loop, turn left onto Golden Gate Road and then drive until it ends at N Sandario Road. Day 4: Monument Valley. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sunset photography in Saguaro National Park is much easier than sunrise. A 7-day pass for one car plus all passengers is $25. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers. One of the most magical places to experience a sunset in Washington State is Fremont Lookout, located in Mount Rainier National Park. Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Vehicle access is from sunrise to sunset daily. They can grow up to 49 arms. Visit the petroglyphs at Signal Hill [West] There's some fascinating history at Saguaro National Park with people who have inhabited the region hundreds of years ago. Desert Discovery Trail A .4-mile trail west of the Red Hills Visitor Center. The best spot to catch sunset at the park is on the east side at either the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (.5 mile hike) or the Javelina Rocks pull out. At night you can see the lights of Tucson shining up on the hills. Most photographers prefer the landscapes of the West Section, but Javelina Rocks is a favorite photo destination in the East. SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. This trail intersects the Hugh Norris Trail. Take full advantage of the naturalist-led programs here to learn all about the types of cacti in the park, how traditional medicine utilized desert plant life, and how incredible creatures reside in the sand. Discover the best photography spots in Saguaro National Park. 8. Join us on an adventure in the desert! You have a much higher probability of getting struck by lightning. We quickly learned that the desert puts on a show at sunset. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. (c) Seeker.io. PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visitPetrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. But first you need to know which way to drive the loop in order to avoid backtracking. This unique US National Park located in the southwest, and just so happens to be our favorite Arizona national park. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Is that a decent time to go? If you only have half of a day, we recommend visiting Saguaro West. Many of the parking pullouts are trailheads for good desert hiking; get a map from the ranger at the entry booth. Red Hills Visitor Center is on your left in 2 miles. The Cactus Forest Loop road in Saguaro East is paved and has a handful of trails available. Top 5 Best Things to Do in Saguaro National Park. On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. As dusk falls, the setting sun turns a brilliant red that paints the sky in pinks and oranges worthy of a Monet painting. Difficulty: Easy - Moderate. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Jan 11, 2015; Late January weather in Saguaro Nov 23, 2014; Best sunrise and sunset spots Jul 31, 2014; Cactus forest drive May 18 . Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. Thank you very much. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. This easy trail leads you through the desert and past mine ruins, offering views of the Tucson Mountains and great photo opportunities. It does not store any personal data. The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. Unfortunately, the Saguaro East section closes its gate at night to road traffic. I would definitely not recommend trying that, especially before sunrise. There are a couple of easily accessible trails on the west side of Saguaro National Park. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This investment is part of $103 million of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that the Interior Department allocated earlier this year to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate impacts, and rehabilitate burned areas. Hohokam Petroglyphs at Signal Hill. Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. Both sections of the park have a wide variety of lookouts and vistas that offer clear views to the west. Required fields are marked *. GRAND CANYON: Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do on the South Rim, how to spend one perfect day in the Grand Canyon, and which South Rim viewpoints are the best ones to visit. The trails that are accessible can be explored in less than an hour for most visitors. Our Hikes:Desert Discovery Nature TrailValley View Overlook TrailMica View TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks for watching! Short walks at Hall of Horrors, Cap Rock. In the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East), the best place to photograph sunset is from the final 2-mile stretch of the scenic loop road anywhere after you drive up the steep hill. These include talks and walks ranging from easy strolls to admire and learn about the Saguaro to strenuous bring-12-gallons-of-water hikes. A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. Saguaro is pronounced sa-WAH-roh.. Or, walk a section of the Hugh Norris Trail or the Sendero Esperanza Trail. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. Along the way, youll get up close to giant Saguaro cacti and have nice views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson. EXPLORE WITHOUT CARS - Spring is an excellent time of year to visit Crater Lake if you want no crowds or traffic. November through March is the high season for Saguaro National Park thanks to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall. Music:Track: Ardent Pratzapp [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/DU50EpGbwvcFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/ardentSpotlights by Niwel https://soundcloud.com/niwel-516897768Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Spotlights-NiwelMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/jMQ2auDWZO8Track: Nostalgia Another Kid [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/dJU6zQEdpRMFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/nostalgiaArtist: Audionautix - https://goo.gl/dZg3UsGenre: Country \u0026 Folk - https://goo.gl/OL0HjiMood: Happy - https://goo.gl/CwgKMqTrack: Doing Nothing sakura Hz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/o5ivAJQ_iHQFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/Doing-nothingAcoustic/Folk Instrumental by Hyde - Free Instrumentals https://soundcloud.com/davidhydemusicCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/acoustic-folk-instrumeMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/YKdXVnaHfo8 For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Yuma's restored wetlands of cottonwood, willow and mesquite trees are a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. If you want a resort with swimming pools, restaurants, and outdoor activities, and a close location to Saguaro West, this is the place to stay. Bajada Loop Drive offers the best opportunities to capture dramatic vistas of rugged rock formations, desert grasses, and cacti. QUIET CONTRASTS: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK EAST. This is not part of the national park but if you want to learn more about the desert ecosystem, this is a great place to visit. See Ancient Petroglyphs on Signal Hill Trail (west) This short 0.3-mile hike takes you to ancient petroglyphs that are more than 800 years old. The Bajada Loop Drive is currently closed, just after the Sus picnic area. The best time to capture Saguaro National Park photos is typically sunset as the westerly views are more open than the easterly. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Heres an overview of the, We recommend a high-quality camera, which is one of the. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. Distance: 0.5 miles round trip Location: Signal Hill Picnic Area on the Bajada Loop Drive. On May 5th, the Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona shared a photo featuring a gorgeous sunset overlooking a field of cacti. Saguaro National Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections Hike: 3 hours, 2 miles. I mean, you could get up to Wasson Peak and get a gorgeous sunrise (and sunset from points along the way), but it's at least 3 miles one-way. Desert hiking ; get a map from the ranger at the Visitor Center view TrailLoma Verde TrailThanks watching... These include talks and walks ranging from easy strolls to admire and learn about Saguaro. 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