If you like desert vegetation, this place is paradise! For sunsets, I haven't found much better than Gates Pass, which is on Speedway west of the city, inside Tucson Mountain Park. Along the way, and on the rocks on top of the hill, you get to see the rock art, or petroglyphs, drawn by the Hohokam people over 800 years ago. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. 4. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A saguaro is the giant, iconic cactus that is a symbol of the American west. Great location & views among the Saguaro cactii. Start at the trail sign and follow the signs. sunset, mountain, canyon, national park, USA, landscape. I will check it out. Current Time: 2023-02-23 09:21:27 . Call the park's visitor center at 520-733-5158 for updates the day of the program. 1603. On day 1, we drove down from Sedona, arriving in Tucson in the late afternoon. The 24-70mm range, or something similar, and of course 70-200mm or something like that. Required fields are marked *. Website: Visit the official website for updated pricing and a full listing of their hours of operation. After only encompassing the Rincon Mountain District, the monument grew to include the Tucson Mountain District in 1961. June through September receives the lowest number of visitors. Other 10-year-old Saguaros feel like getting swole and end up towering around 60-feet tall. Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities. If you like the idea of hiking, consider the hike to Wassen Peak. The park offers several opportunities for adventure, from short walks to overnight backpacking trips. We Dream of Travel is also a participant with the Booking.com and Get Your Guide affiliate programs. Thanks for the recommendation. Its the best place to start your trip into the park and explore its many beautiful spots. . 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. Saguaro National Park is split into two sections -- the Tucson Mountain District sits west; the Rincon Mountain District sits east; and the city of Tucson and its 1-million residents sits in between the two. The best time to visit Saguaro National Park for photography is in the spring, typically in May. Saguaro National Park released the following schedule: January 14 3:45 p.m. Moonlight Reflections Hike: 3 hours, 2 miles. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Ever seeing a gila monster unless you live in the desert would be even more rare and being close enough to get bit would likelyrequire you to harass one, as theyre not particularly fast creatures. Introducing the human element and having your subject looking up at the tips can be effective. This directs the viewers eyes to the top and emphasizes the size of the cactus. Love the blog. And as you climb up to enjoy sweeping views of the desert landscape that hasnt changed much since Paleo-Indians hunted bison here, youll see why: The vistas at Wasson Peak are more captivating than the Grand Canyon and more breathtaking than Bryce Canyon. Take advantage of cooler morning temperatures while sipping coffee on your patio and then take a dip in the pool. Drive the Bajada Loop drive and hike to Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill and do the Desert Discovery Walk. The park's desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets . . Perfect :). 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. One of the country's most famous natural landmarks, the Grand Canyon stretches for 277 miles and offers unending glorious views, but the South Rim is . Beginners can find more tips and techniques in our video tutorials for learning night photography. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Red Hills Visitor Center is on your left in 2 miles. It should only take a few minutes to reach from Ina that early in the morning. 70. The best I can think to do is actually drive north on I-10, to Park Link Road. 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. Short walks at Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks. Admission to the park is $15.00/vehicle, $10.00/motorcycle, or $5.00/person and $5.00/bicycle. His photos have won awards fromNatures . Visitors will want to stay in the left lane when turning onto Bajada Loop Drive from Signal Hill Road or Leisure Lane in case cars come from behind. Along the road are some partial mountain saddles. At night you can see the lights of Tucson shining up on the hills. Brooding sunset light surrounds a lone Joshua Tree from White Tank Campground. 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. This was high on our list do to but we skipped it due to high temperatures in the park. . Access road to the Mica View picnic area. The Bajada Scenic Loop is not paved and this section is closer to the city. The sunrise (or sunset) casts a beautiful light on the red rocks, making for an incredible sight. Hope that helps. PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visitPetrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We also drive up most of the way to Mount Lemmon to get a good view of the city from above.One night, we watch an amazing sunset from the mountain pass in the Tucson Mountain Park, and the next night we watch it from Saguaro National Park West. The best way to get around Tucson is to hire a car. Saguaro Sunset. Though the signage is good, youll want to make sure you follow these instructions. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Beware of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, and scorpions. Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort; 8. We drove to Tucson from Phoenix just to get away and get outside with our three daughters. If you are willing and able to make the hike in, you will need to find your favorite south-facing views and compositions if you want to include the Milky Way. 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. Is that a decent time to go? Growing over these ribs is the green, fleshy skin that absorbs and stores water. This trail stretches for around 3.7 mi. Saguaro National Park is a fantastic desert park encompassing over 92,000 acres and an uncountable amount of Saguaro cacti. PS: this is a great place to take some selfies with the Saguaro. Hohokam Road ends at Golden Gate Road. They grow at a very slow rate, only an inch per year. Wasson Peak is one of the most spectacular places in Saguaro National Park. This site has been a popular attraction among hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts for decades. The first morning I will be driving in to the west side from Wade Road and I see there are several trails in that section of the park (Ringtail, Ironwood, Panther Peak Wash), but I don't know if they are good for sunrise. with only 49 feet of elevation gain. But it was still incredibly hot in June, hitting 95F by 8:30 am. 4. For this reason, photographers hoping for a sunrise photoshoot should go to the West section. Saguaro National Park was definitely the highlight. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Guests will have access to several hiking trails, picnic spots, and numerous picture-worthy locations along this gorgeous drive, which will . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Additionally, try to find ways to capture the scale of these giant monsters. Its two sections lie on opposite sides of the Tucson metropolitan area. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Saguaro National Park is amazing and there are so many great things to do. Valley View Overlook Trail in the west section was one of some favorite hikes in Saguaro National Park. . A hiker traverses a wash | Best Hikes Saguaro National Park. A 10 year old plant may only be 2 inches tall. The road is well-maintained and is suitable for cars. Why are you so focused on the national park? Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. West Saguaro is known as the Tucson Mountain District (RMD). Understand that Saguaro National Park is broken down into two distinct regions: Both sections of the park have their charms and are worth visiting, time permitting. Gilbert Ray Campground. 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. There are two separate sections to the park. The Hohokam Petroglyph site is a striking example of what can be seen while exploring Saguaro National Park. Moonlight Programs Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park along the Gould Mine Trail. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out. Distance: 3.8 miles. But for sunset, I can go anywhere and will explore the area. However, if you have the time, its still worth the visit. Photograph by Hannah Schwalbe, National Park Service. One trail is handicap accessible and paved.Allot plenty of time, 3 or 4 hours. Javelina Rocks Overlook: climb up on top of the rocks for a view over Saguaro National Park and Tucson. Crater Lake National Park Spring Highlights. Together, the area covers 91,716 acres with 165 miles of trails. This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails and roads with more people here. Of course, we see cacti everywhere. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the . I never would have known about that road. Two roads form the Bajada Loop Drive: Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road. Saguaro National Park Best Photography Spots. Mini Adventures. Besides beautiful sunsets and views these two districts offered great hiking options for us as a family. Super cheap - $15 for a weeks worth of enjoyment. Turn left, and drive 14 miles on Sandario Road. Thanks for . Saguaro National Park (pronounced Sah-wah-row) is housed in two parts, on either side of Tuscon, AZ. In fact, the entire East section is tucked so tightly into the Rincon Mountains that you will not even see the sun until an hour or so after it has risen. Alternatively, you may use, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. A few times a year we get the kind of sunrise where the whole sky is full of pink or orange clouds lit from below as the sun rises. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Going on an epic hike is the best things to do at Saguaro National Park. One of the most magical places to experience a sunset in Washington State is Fremont Lookout, located in Mount Rainier National Park. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. A tripod is also recommended for capturing those breathtaking night and sunset photographs. In the Rincon Mountains District (the East Side of the Park) head to the Tanque Verde . Saguaro Cactus. There are some low hills to the east, but nothing like the mountains along Ina. Take your pick, take your camera, and start scurrying for Tucson sunset spots. The Mica View - Cholla - Cactus Forest Loop Trail is considered one of the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. Saguaros are often depicted as tall, prickly plants with two arms. Saguaro National Monument was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. The cacti absorb gallons and gallons of water in the summer monsoon season and use this stored water throughout the remainder of the year. Check out StreetView of the road to see what you think. If you stay on the trail though, you're generally fine. Take I-10E to Avra Valley Road, exit 242. Campsite type: RV, tent, car camping. However, because they are rare the odds of finding them are improved in places where there are numerous saguaro cacti. This paved and totally level loop hike is only half a mile long. Plenty of birds to see: rock wren, cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, canyon towhee, gila woodpecker, black-chinned sparrows and more.On a return trip or if more serious hiking is your desire, try the Freeman Homestead Trail (1.1 mile loop; halfway to the picnic area, with some good birding as you traverse a wash are) or the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (8 mile in and out; more rigorous and to higher elevation, but you can turn around any time). Open: Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm. Day 4: Monument Valley. Its not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. Its one-way only, starting and ending at the visitor center. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60136795', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Tucson is really pretty, and it creates some really nice shadows in the mountains and on the cacti, but you very likely won't catch any colors, if that's what you're looking for. Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Moonlight programs Stubby Cactus Plants Dot the Hillside in Saguaro National Park is a striking example of can! Can get more information about each point of interest and nature enthusiasts for decades Tucson Phoenix..., consider the hike to Valley View Overlook trail in the pool miles of trails Plants with two.! 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