Saguaro National Park

Year Established: 1994
Annual Visitors: 1.08 Million
Size: 91,327 Acres
State: Arizona

Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park

November to March

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Saguaro National Park

• Scenic Bajada Loop Drive
• Cactus Forest Drive
• Desert Ecology Trail
• Hike King Canyon

A Brief History

The park is in the southern part of Arizona. It has two parts, one on each side of Tucson. The big saguaro cactus, which grows in the desert where the park is, gives the park its name.

In the western part of the Tucson Mountain District, the Signal Hill Trail leads to ancient Hohokam petroglyphs. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the eastern Rincon Mountain District that gives you great views of the desert.

Saguaro RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Saguaro National Park or in Arizona, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in Arizona
• Best RV Resorts in Arizona
• How to Conserve Water in Your RV
• How To Plan An RV Trip
• Dependable RV Water Fill Stations

Visitor Information

Fees

Saguaro National Park would rather have people pay their entrance fee before they get there so that they don’t have to deal with cash and people as much.

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$15.00 per person

$25.00 per vehicle

$20.00 per motorcycle

All passes are valid for up to 7 days.

Annual Park Passes

Saguaro National Park Annual Pass – $45

Contacting Saguaro National Park

Visitor Centers

Rincon Mountain Visitor Center

At the visitor center, you can buy books, get information, look at maps, and use the restrooms. This visitor center is the starting point for a beautiful drive or bike ride the Cactus Forest Loop Drive, which offers amazing views of the Rincon Mountains. Along the drive, there are some great hikes, like the mile-long loop on the Freeman Homestead Trail, where you can learn about how people used to live in the desert. 

Red Hills Visitor Center

This visitor Center is a great place to start your trip toin Saguaro National Park’s West District to learn more about the park. From the patio, you can see a beautiful view of the Red Hills and a majestic forest of Saguaro cacti. This center will teach you more about  the Tucson Mountains’ unique geology, offer great tips on how to make the most of your time in the park, and has a bookstore to find some souvenirs. In front of the building, you can get general information, park maps, and hiking guides 24 hours a day.