National park · Arizona

Saguaro National Park

Two desert districts flanking Tucson that protect the largest cacti in the United States — saguaros that grow up to 40 feet tall and live 150 to 200 years in the Sonoran Desert.

Entrance
$25 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Saguaro National Park
Established
1933
Region
Desert Southwest
Saguaro National Park
Photo: naturenps · Public domain
The Saguaro National Park patch

The real park boundary. Scout checks whether your phone is inside this line.

Collect it

Scout adds Saguaro National Park to your collection when your phone is inside the park boundary. Already been? A photo you took there counts too.

Collect Saguaro in Scout

Free on iPhone and Android.

History

Saguaro National Park preserves the iconic giant saguaro cactus and significant Sonoran Desert ecosystems. It serves as a vital conservation area for diverse flora and fauna, reflecting the region's geological and cultural history.

Key events

  1. The park was originally established as Saguaro National Monument by President Herbert Hoover in 1933.
  2. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy expanded the monument by adding the Tucson Mountain District.
  3. The park was officially designated as Saguaro National Park in 1994 when both districts were combined.

Trails

  • Wasson Peak via King Canyon 8 mi · Hard
  • Valley View Overlook Trail 0.8 mi · Easy
  • Signal Hill Trail 0.5 mi · Easy
  • Douglas Spring Trail 6 mi · Hard
  • Cactus Forest Trail 2.5 mi · Easy

Plan your visit

Hours · Saguaro National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

The park is always open, except under emergency conditions. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day. The Visitor Centers are open daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm from Oct. 1st to May 31st, & switch to 8:00am - 4:00pm from June 1st to Sept. 30th. In the Tucson Mountain District (West), The Bajada Loop Scenic Drive (Golden Gate Road & Hohokam Road) is open to vehicles during daylight hours. In the Rincon Mountain District (East), the Cactus Forest Loop Drive is open from 5:00am - 8:30pm.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $25
  • Per Person $15
  • Motorcycle $20

Fees and hours as of September 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Winter. Ideal hiking temps 65-70°F, clear skies, best weather
  • Spring. Wildflowers March-April, saguaro blooms late May
  • Fall. Cooling temps, fewer crowds, comfortable hiking
  • Summer. Very hot 100°F+, early morning only, monsoon storms

Wildlife

Gila woodpeckersCactus wrensRoadrunnersJavelinasCoyotesGila monstersDesert tortoisesRed-tailed hawks

Nearby patches

Collect Saguaro in Scout