Hidden Gem
Saguaro National Park
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Trip length
- 2–3 days
- Budget
- $150–$600
- per person · excl. airfare
- Best months
- Feb–Mar, Nov–Dec
Hiking
Park entrance: $25 (Entrance - Private Vehicle) · source: NPS
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
Highlights
- Giant saguaro forests
- Sonoran desert sunsets
- Rincon Mountain trails
Photos
Photos via Wikimedia Commons under their respective licences.
Map
Trails (8)· Moderate
- View →Douglas Spring TrailRepresentative7.8 mi0 ft gainModerate~2.6 h
- View →Tanque Verde WashRepresentative5.5 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.8 h
- View →Bear Canyon Trail #29Representative6.7 mi0 ft gainModerate~2.2 h
- View →Shantz TrailRepresentative4.7 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.6 h
- View →Lone Cactus LoopRepresentative4.3 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.4 h
- View →Quilter Trail/Arizona TrailRepresentative4.4 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.5 h
- View →Carrillo TrailRepresentative3.2 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.1 h
- View →Tanque Verde Ridge TrailRepresentative2.4 mi0 ft gainModerate~0.8 h
Getting there
- TUS Tucson Intl · 13 mi
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor · 112 mi
- FLG Flagstaff Pulliam · 209 mi
Straight-line distances to nearby airports. Airfare and drive times are not included.
Permits & access
No permit required
No permit for day hiking; backcountry permit for overnight — extreme summer heat, carry ample water — check the official site.
Official permit & conditions ↗Last verified 7/24/2026