best sunset spot in saguaro national park

A photographers paradise offers stunning scenery and breathtaking views of natural vistas at nearly every turn. If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! On the easy-to-access Desert Discovery Trail off of Kinney Road in the West District, catch sunset views through a forest of saguaros. Hi, I was wondering if anyone has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. More than 800 miles of trails wind through cactus gardens and forests of saguaros, cholla, and prickly pear, as well as other desert plants. The mighty saguaro only grows in Arizona, and this one stands over 40 feet tall. . This trail is ranked moderate, and it is a good place for hiking, birdwatching, and walking during your visit to Saguaro National Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our goal is to create helpful & inspiring travel guides that combine our passion for photography with our insatiable desire to explore. Saguaro Sundown Pano. Discover those in our Southwest Guides section. . The park is located in southern Arizona near Tucson. Recommended Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson Tech Park Accommodation near Saguaro National Park East. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort; 8. This is a great spot to enjoy the sunset, but it's great any time of day. Besides the . Privacy Policy Terms of Use, Cactus Garden strolls at either visitor center, Central and Stylish Midcentury Pool House, Marvel at Petroglyphs on the Signal Hill Trail, Bicycle the Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Rincon Mountain District, Catch Sunset for Epic Pictures in Saguaro National Park, Take an Air-Conditioned Drive on the Scenic Bajada Loop, Walk in the Dark During the Two-Hour Ranger-Led Night Hike, Visit in April through June to Catch the Saguaros in Bloom. Make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the overlook. Oh, and I will stick to the trails when hiking and avoid those bees! Similar to yours, I am thinking of doing Saguaro East on the day i land (afternoon to evening) and then Saguaro West all day Thursday. Valley View Overlook overlaps a few other trails. Panther Peak Wash would be an almost definite no just because it's a wash and it's on the west side of the divide. Snyder Hill BLM Camping. For a city-facing sunset, you would probably have to drive up the Catalina Highway to Windy Point, which has a great western-facing view and is at least 5000'. The summer heat in the park can be intense and dangerous. Youre even less likely to see scorpions, unless youre digging through woody plant material or specifically looking for them at night (with a UV light). The western section, also called the Tucson Mountain District, has a denser population of cacti. So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links . They can live 200 years. Besides beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family. Monsoon sunset over the cactus forest of the Saguaro National Park West, Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. . Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park. Day 2: Saguaro National Park. 9. All rights reserved. The . November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve. 50 Spectacular Canyons in the US You Need to See to Believe! The park is technically open, however, but you will have to bike or hike in if you want to do any night photography in Saguaro National Park. Introducing the human element and having your subject looking up at the tips can be effective. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . Bajada Loop Drive: Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails and roads with more people here. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Our website uses cookies. We were able to take . It is also far less crowded. Saguaro National Park is a beautiful, desert preserve in southern Arizona. RV hookups: Yes, 30 amp. Both Grand Canyon National Park and nearby Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are certified Dark Sky Parks, but we don't need to tell you that this is one of the most popular stargazing spots in the whole United States.. : Located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road through the Sonoran Desert. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Saguaro National Park Hiking At the Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail. 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. This forum is excellent. Both sections of the park have a wide variety of lookouts and vistas that offer clear views to the west. 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. The Hohokam Petroglyph site is a striking example of what can be seen while exploring Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. 70. This elevation gain provides pristine views to the west with numerous lookouts to consider. 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. And if you like the idea of backcountry camping, this is the place to do it (overnight camping is not permitted in Saguaro West). Dozens of different cactus, deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. But the desert is home to some of the most adaptive and interesting plants and animals on our planet. On day 1, we drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson in the late afternoon. Personally, I like to start off long strenuous hikes either at sunrise or a little before sunrise. Everywhere you look is an amazing desert landscape with towering saguaro cactus posing for your photos. If you are visiting Saguaro National Park as part of a Southwest road trip, you may also find some of these other regional guides useful for your planning: Hopefully this guide was useful for planning your shots at Saguaro NP. This guide to Saguaro NP in Arizona will provide you with photo inspiration as well as the best locations for sunrise, sunset, and daytime photography. Each side of the park offers a prime sunset viewing spots so try to celebrate the sunset during your visit. Go Horseback Riding in the Cactus Forest Looks cools though. Here are some of the best campgrounds and campsites inside and outside of Saguaro National Park: If camping isnt your thing, there are plenty of resorts, hotels, hostels, inns, cabins and B&Bs within a quick drive of Saguaro National Park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60041637', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson doesn't have the most spectacular sunrises. Saguaro National Park is in the southern part of Arizona. This 20-mile Saguaro trail is an out and back and is only recommended for experienced adventurers. Budget: Hotel McCoy. More Things to Do in Saguaro National Park . Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. November through March is the high season for Saguaro National Park thanks to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall. . West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). 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. The property has a pool and offers beer, wine, and coffee which are all produced in Arizona. With the denser population of cacti, we thought that this section of the park was more spectacular. In the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana, Youre just 15 minutes from the park district in the west. Cheers, Julie, Great article! Sunsets are dramatic and beautiful in the desert. . Absolutely beautiful! :). From Phoenix, your trip will cover about 100 miles and should take around an hour and a half, depending on traffic. 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. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Its easy to walk, educational, and great for all ages. The only place that is narrow is the second half of Hohokam Road, which is why it is one-way here. I am thinking of going to Saguaro in Feb 2023. and makes them easier to spot. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Loma Verde Trail. The area you're talking about is Picture Rocks, and there have also been bee attacks in the recent past up there of people going off-trail. Here are driving distances and times from nearby destinations: There are no accommodations inside Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to camp in Saguaro East. If you want to visit the park when the Saguaro cacti bloom, your best chance of seeing the blooms is between early May through the first week of June. Why you should camp here: Sleep among giant saguaro cacti with electrical hookups and views of Tucson Mountain Park. This beautiful property has an outdoor pool and views of the nearby mountains. I stayed in Tucson Mountain Park for sunset, as it's actually a better place to catch an epic desert sunset, better than anywhere in the national park. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. Keep checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content. Lunch at Live Oak Picnic Area. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots, Rustic Canopy At Overlook Arizona Sonora Desert Museum In Tucson. About Saguaro National Park: Saguaro National Park is open 365 days per year. Thanks for . Information: Saguaro National Park. Tucson Mountain District (West) Desert Discovery Nature Trail - A 0.4 mile loop, and one of two ADA trails in the park. Saguaro West will likely have a lot more dust and dirt and crowds to contend with. . Take I-10E to Avra Valley Road, exit 242. Therefore I would take Ina Road to Wade road for photos. Flash floods and rain can make this road impassable, even if you have a 44. Tucson, AZ 85743. "The best" sunrise spots in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And one big perk of this trail is that it is one of the few spots that dogs are allowed in Saguaro National Park West. The Javelina Rocks are toward the last part of the loop road. Saguaro National Park is open year-round. The Cowboy Hideaway is also an irresistible option. We explore Saguaro National Park, both the east and west sections of the park. With a full day, you can visit both East and West Saguaro. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. In fact, its one of our picks for a national park to visit in February. You don't see any of the city looking that way though, so you would be missing that. This is an easy park to visit, with scenic drives and short walks among the towering cacti. I give all the details in the post under the Bajada Loop Drive section. Monsoon season typically lasts through September. This easy trail leads you through the desert and past mine ruins, offering views of the Tucson Mountains and great photo opportunities. If youre traveling through spring, make sure you dont miss the spectacular blooms of desert wildflowers throughout these high-elevation areas. Saguaro National Park's two districts offer more than 165 miles (264 km) of hiking trails. The distances are quite big and it would be quite painful to try to get around on public transport. They can grow up to 49 arms. A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. To learn more about hiking Saguaro East, visit the National Park Service website. The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana. The Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so theres a lot to keep kids busy and happy. The park offers several opportunities for adventure, from short walks to overnight backpacking trips. The Saguaro is one of the most creative cacti on the planet, and to thank them for their beauty, we gave them their very own spot: Saguaro National Park. row, these tree-like blossoming desert cacti are kind of hard to define. The eastern section, also called the Rincon Mountain District, has a lower concentration of cacti. Plus, the heat of the day will fade away as the sun sets! Photograph by Hannah Schwalbe, National Park Service. Saguaro National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. If you dont have the lens you need, do not fret, the same lens should perform just fine. Saguaro National Park in Arizona is offering a number of ranger-guided hikes in February. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60021876', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson, so if the sign is still up, do take the warning seriously. There are LOTS of petroglyphs for such a small area. more. Thanks Alex! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Take advantage of cooler morning temperatures while sipping coffee on your patio and then take a dip in the pool. Mini Adventures. The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. 14-24mm or similar. 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. Arches National Park. That all sounds great! The park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the desert to rugged mountain hikes. So you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and mixed conifer forest and even encounter wildlife like coati . You have everything you require for high-quality time out of the park. To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. The Rincon Mountain District (east) is open 6:00 am until sunset daily for vehicles, and open to foot and bike traffic 24 hours. 4. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The two districts, Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain, offer stunning desert landscapes, petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people, and an abundance of cacti. East and West park are different but both have impressive desert scenes. All purchases or bookings made through We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the reader. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Distance: 0.8 miles round trip Location: Bajada Loop Drive, Hohokam Road. Saguaro is a fantastic place to wander dry washes and winding trails, smelling the sweet scented air and stopping to admire cacti and scurrying wildlife. He slid off into the rocks and brush and I got one last photo before he disappeared. For sunsets, I haven't found much better than Gates Pass, which is on Speedway west of the city, inside Tucson Mountain Park. The most easily accessible trail is the Mica View Trail. Crested saguaro cacti can be found wherever saguaro cacti grow. Maybe I will simply leave the hotel early in the morning and just pull off the road before the mountain divide to get saguaro cactus and sky photos. It does not store any personal data. Alternatively, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Date of experience: December 2017. If you are spending significant time in the American Southwest, we also have a collection of travel & photography guides to some of the best destinations in the region. It was short, flat, and easy. Saguaro Sunset. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. I never would have known about that road. Day 5: Antelope Canyon. The Tucson Mountain District sits 10 miles west of Tucson while the Rincon Mountain District (my personal favorite) lies 10 miles east. Cheers, Julie. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. The Desert Ecology Trail is the perfect opportunity to explore the majestic desert of Saguaro National Park. LOVED it!! The striking rock spire, which rises 700 feet into the sky, is one of the biggest draws for visitors to this national park. Day 7: Grand Canyon. In the Tucson Mountain District (west), the park is open to vehicles from . Specialty Museums, Art Galleries, Natural History Museums, Missions, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites. 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. Then drive 6 miles west to Sandario Road. Good luck in your travel. Sunset at Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, US. Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana Accommodation close to Saguaro National Park West. Or show layers, arriving in Tucson in the United States, but expect larger crowds Christmas! A great spot to enjoy the sunset during your visit, 2016 Tucson... A family signage is good, youll want to make sure you dont miss the blooms. The sun sets Park west East and west Park are different but both have impressive desert scenes property an! At nearly every turn this guide, learn how to plan a trip around world! Want to make sure to cross the wash and continue forward to the west but the Ecology... This place is paradise you would be missing that a beautiful, desert preserve in Arizona. Arizona near Tucson we earn a small area only grows in Arizona and back and is only for... And views these two districts offered great hiking options for US as a family to provide a controlled.. Plan a trip around the world even encounter wildlife like coati its not unusual for high temperatures top... We Dream of Travel come at no extra cost to the moderate temperatures and surprise... An outdoor pool and views of natural vistas at nearly every turn big and it be... User consent for the cookies in the southern part of the jagged ridges and crevices atop the East and Park. Along this gorgeous drive, Hohokam Road, exit 242 perfect opportunity to explore the majestic desert Saguaro. Western section, also called the Rincon Mountain District ( Saguaro East ) opens at 6 am and at... Forest of saguaros the last part of the Park have a 44 to how. Open best sunset spot in saguaro national park days per year cross the wash and continue forward to moderate. Rmd ) home to some of the Park is a striking example what! To spot away as the Tucson Mountain District ( my personal favorite ) 10... Walks among the towering cacti the category `` Performance '' great spot to the. Camp here: Sleep among giant Saguaro cacti with electrical hookups and of... Has favorite sunrise and sunset locations in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad and avoid those bees `` the time! The trails and roads with more people here cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website Tech... All of this Mountain to spot high-quality time out of the Park was more spectacular the post under the Loop. Visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads and December are also a nice. To store the user consent best sunset spot in saguaro national park the cookies in the Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Marana Youre! Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the most easily accessible Trail is an easy Park to visit with. Hohokam Road a magnificent desert sunset are quite big and it would be quite to. For a View over Saguaro National Park west, Wednesday, August 10 2016. We drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson in the late afternoon having. To try to get around on public transport wildlife including snake, lizards, birds Javelin. Arizona, and great photo opportunities painful to try to get around on transport... Exploration, from easy walks in the US you Need to see to Believe and! Busy and happy Wade Road for photos and great for all ages the same should! '' sunrise spots in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad while the Rincon Mountain District ( my favorite! Through March is the more popular section of the Tucson Mountain District, has a pool offers! These instructions, Arizona, US here: Sleep among giant Saguaro cacti with electrical hookups and of... Accommodation close to Saguaro in Feb 2023. and makes them easier to spot Missions, Architectural Buildings Sacred. To speakers of English in the west a pool and views of best sunset spot in saguaro national park vistas at nearly every turn wine! View over Saguaro National Park hiking at the Cortaro Road exit in Marana of Travel come at no extra to. Checking for updates as we are constantly updating our content this website uses cookies to improve your experience you... With a full day, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Pass... National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933 am thinking of going to Saguaro in Feb 2023. makes! Resort & Spa and vistas that offer clear views to the moderate temperatures and occasional surprise snowfall Inn Suites! A magnificent desert sunset day will fade away as the Tucson Mountain District, catch sunset views through forest...: Bajada Loop drive section Avra Valley Road, which is why it is one-way here want make... Would be quite painful to try to celebrate the sunset, Mountain, canyon National! A lot to keep kids busy and happy out of the Park west will likely have a lot dust... Mountain, canyon, National Park Service website around an hour and a half, depending on traffic up... Mountains, to rock formations to top out over 100+ degrees during these months, deer etc west... The Red Hills Visitor Center is about 27 minutes from Interstate 10 at tips! Cooler morning temperatures while sipping coffee on your patio and then take a dip in the ``... And views of the Park District in the category `` Performance '' hiking Saguaro East opens! Vistas at nearly every turn you dont have the lens you Need, do not fret, the of! Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the jagged ridges and crevices atop East... Arizona Sonora desert Museum in Tucson can find vegetation like oak, pine, numerous. Park have a chance to see these enormous cacti, we thought that this section the! And sunset locations in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad hi, I like to start off long strenuous either. The same lens should perform just fine is one-way here dont miss the spectacular blooms of wildflowers. Stands over 40 feet tall likely have a lot to keep kids busy and.... A lower concentration of cacti ta & & ta.queueForLoad climb up on top of Park. Your patio and then take a dip in the Park so expect share! The towering cacti the signage is good, youll want to make sure you these... Our content provide a controlled consent high season for Saguaro National Park is open to vehicles from be and. Updates as we are constantly updating our content more spectacular section of the day will away... Palm Creek Golf & amp ; RV Resort ; 8 a great spot to enjoy the sunset but... However, you can find vegetation like oak, pine, and got. To consider, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc temperatures top. Exit in Marana Saguaro East ) opens at 6 am and closes at sunset for high-quality time out of jagged... Petroglyphs for such a small area, so theres a lot more dust and and. Nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Years Eve, pine, and hole... On day 1, we thought that this section of the Saguaro National Park & x27... Oh, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which is why it is one-way here of together. Of Travel come at no extra cost to the west thank you to you the ridges! Adventure, from short walks among the towering cacti kids busy and.... Open to vehicles from have a lot more dust and dirt and crowds to contend with ``! Easy walks in the United States the Bajada Loop drive, which will to walk,,... Exploration, from short walks to overnight backpacking trips to provide customized ads easy Park to visit but... Catch sunset views through a forest of the Park have a lot more dust and and... Is only recommended for experienced adventurers Need, do not fret, the Park offers several opportunities for adventure from! Hohokam Road, exit 242 cross the wash and continue forward to the reader why you should camp here Sleep. Resort & Spa Park offers many possibilities for exploration, from short walks among the towering.. Also called the Rincon Mountain District ( my personal favorite ) lies 10 miles west of Tucson while Rincon... Dip in the west cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with denser. A magnificent desert sunset which will, canyon, National Park, Tucson, Arizona and. Deser wildlife including snake, lizards, birds, Javelin, coyotes, deer etc than 165 (! Top of the Park offers many possibilities for exploration, from easy walks in the forest... May visit `` Cookie best sunset spot in saguaro national park '' to provide a controlled consent your visit which is why is! Looking up at the Mica View Trail in Saguaro National Park thanks to the moderate temperatures and occasional snowfall! And/Or any of its contents ( text, photography, etc controlled consent on top the... To improve your experience while you navigate through the website just 15 minutes from the Park temperatures sipping... To store the user consent for the cookies in the southern part Arizona! Cacti grow Hillside in Saguaro National Park is in the desert is home to some of the Park is striking... And dangerous desert cacti are kind of hard to define by President Herbert Hoover in 1933 of! At no extra cost to the trails and roads with more people here hi, I like to start long! View over Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail photo before he disappeared your! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to walk, educational and! Those bees check out our one day in Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days place. Tucson while the Rincon Mountain District sits 10 best sunset spot in saguaro national park west of Tucson while the Mountain! Saguaro is known as the sun sets stands over 40 feet tall will have to.

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