Saguaro National Park  Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Active and Adventure Destinations Near  Saguaro National Park

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Panoramic of cacti in Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Sunset in Saguaro National Monument, Arizona. (Cornstock Images)

Saguaro National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Bill Weir
  • Although the park's namesake cacti are its reason to be, the best reason to visit the park is to immerse yourself in this exemplary bit of the unusual Sonoran landscape. The Sonoran Desert is sometimes called the Green Desert, as it receives an average of 12 inches of rain each year and is considered one of the lushest, most biologically diverse deserts on earth.  See a map of Saguaro National Park.
  • The Cactus Forest Trail System in the park's Rincon Mountain District offers about 40 miles of interconnecting trails. Those in the west cross gentle terrain; farther east the hills become more rugged and scenic.
  • For road bikers, Cactus Forest Drive winds through the foothills of the Rincon Mountains with many fine views on an eight-mile paved loop. You can detour to Mica View Picnic Area in the north and Javelina Picnic Area in the south.
  • Mica Mountain at 8,666 feet is the highest summit in the Saguaro Wilderness. As it's far from trailheads, you need to plan on a multi-day trip, staying at one of the six designated campgrounds and obtaining a camping permit.
  • Learn more about Saguaro National Park at our sister site GORP.com.

Saguaro National Park Overview

Ask a child to draw a picture of a cactus and chances are you'll get a reasonable facsimile of a saguaro cactus. These giants of the cactus world are the quintessential image of America's southwestern deserts and as such are familiar to one and all, young and old. However, what many people don't know is that saguaros, which can grow up to 50 feet tall and weigh more than eight tons, are native only to the hot lowland regions of the Sonoran Desert, a finger of which reaches from Mexico into southern Arizona.Read More

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Hotels


from: $219

Arizona Inn - Hotel

2200 East Elm St
Tucson85719

Distance: 14.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Tanque Verde Ranch - Hotel

14301 East Speedway
Tucson85748

Distance: 28.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
from: $199

The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa - Hotel

3800 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson85718

Distance: 15.7 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
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Attractions


Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

2021 N. Kinney Rd
Tucson, Arizona

Distance: 2.6 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Wasson Peak Hike

Tucson Mountain District
2700 North Kinney Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85743

Distance: 2.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: A series of trails in the park's Tucson Mountain District link together for an eight-mile loop hike... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Bajada Loop Drive

Tucson Mountain District
2700 North Kinney Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85743

Distance: 2.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This six-mile scenic loop takes you past two picnic areas and several trailheads in the park's... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Saguaro National Park

Distance (mi.)
Tucson International Airport 17.6map
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 93.3map
El Paso International Airport 283.3map

Other Smaller Airports near Saguaro National Park

Distance (mi.)
Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista Libby AAF/Municipal Airport 69.3map
Silver City Grant County Airport 177.7map
Grand Canyon Pulliam Field 199.5map
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Flight Deals to Saguaro National Park

Originating From
Los Angeles (LAX) to Tucson (TUS) $211
Denver (DEN) to Tucson (TUS) $243
Baltimore (BWI) to Tucson (TUS) $246
San Francisco (SFO) to Tucson (TUS) $278
Chicago (CHI) to Tucson (TUS) $278
See all flight deals to Tucson (TUS)

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