Saguaro National Park

​Saguaro National Park is like two natural bookends for Tucson that are 30 miles apart. The Saguaro - East Rincon Mountain District features 130 miles of trails, an 8-mile scenic drive and a visitor center. 

Saguaro West - Tucson Mountain District includes a 5-mile scenic drive, visitor center and a half-mile, wheelchair-accessible natural trail. The drive from Gates Pass Road and into the park is among the prettiest Sonoran desert terrain, with an incredible density of tall saguaro cacti, the iconic markers of Arizona. 

The two park districts comprise 91,000 acres that are ideal "city" parks, perfect for hiking, biking and picnicking or just a scenic 

​desert drive. Catch the softer light at the beginning or end of the day for the best saguaro photographs. 

Saguaros are the largest cacti in the United States, growing  to 50 feet or more and weighing close to 16,000 pounds. But they grow slowly, reaching just a foot in 15 years and perhaps 7 feet tall at age 50. They do not grow branches until they mature to 75 years old.

Established: National monument, 1933; national park, 1994
Elevation: 2,160 to 8,666
Annual visitation: 753,446