📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
Winter Season With daytime temperature from the low 50's to the high 70's Summer Season As we get deeper into the summer season, temperatures will range from mid-90's to low 110's. This is a great time to experience the desert as the day breaks or in the late of the day as the sun disappears behind the surrounding mountain ranges. During the late spring and summer months Saguaro National Park only offers interpretive programs on an intermittent basis.
🚗 Directions
Saguaro National Park has two districts separated by the city of Tucson. The address for the Saguaro National Park West District is 2700 N Kinney Rd. We do not recommend using mobile mapping applications to search for either district. Instead, please click the link to the directions page, determine which district you plan to visit, and enter that physical address into the mobile application.
Images
The flowering season in Saguaro National Park attracts visitors from all over the world.
Credit: NPS Photo
Wildflower season at Saguaro National Park is at it's peak in the month of MArch. The Pincushion cactus, however, blooms April through August.
Credit: NPS Photo/ Bolyard
Saguaro National Park has a vast variety of wildlife, and with the help of wilderness cameras, can be photographed to help with studies and for visitors to learn about animals only seen by chance.
Credit: NPS Photo
Saguaro deaths are usually attributed to natural weather conditions and other natural phenomena. Specifically, lightning strikes have been known to strike saguaros due to the large amount of water stored within their fleshy tissue.
Credit: NPS Photo
Saguaro National Park summers can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 105 degrees F, lows averaging 72 degrees F. Winters are mild warm days averaging 65 degrees F and cool nights averaging 40 degrees F. Snowfall is extremely rare in the area.
Credit: NPS Photo
Regal horned lizards are one of many reptiles in the park, who have adapted to living in the harsh desert environment. Information on how different species survive can be found on the park's website, visitor center, or through our many programs offered.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Dec 19
Sunny
High: 86.7°F | Low: 45.9°F
Humidity: 30%
Wind: 6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:20 AM
Sunset: 05:22 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 48.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Dec 20
Sunny
High: 78.8°F | Low: 45.9°F
Humidity: 34%
Wind: 6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.8
Sunrise: 07:21 AM
Sunset: 05:23 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 48°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Dec 21
Sunny
High: 82.8°F | Low: 45.5°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 4.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.8
Sunrise: 07:21 AM
Sunset: 05:23 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 48.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Garden Walk (East District)
Join a ranger for a short stroll through the cactus garden located outside of the visitor center to learn about the saguaro cactus and other plants of the Sonoran Desert.
Location: Please meet outside of the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center
Date: Nov 24, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
The GIANT Cactus (East District)
Saguaro National Park is famous for its gigantic saguaros. Still, you have to know where to look to find the real giants among giants. Join a ranger for a special off-trail walk to view some amazing examples of our saguaros.
This program meets at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center at 9:30am. Then, you'll hop into your car and follow the ranger out to the trailhead.
This is a flat, 3/4 mile hike. Bring sun protection and water. Hiking boots are recommended.
Location: Meet at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, then follow the ranger in your own vehicle to the trailhead.
Date: Nov 26, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Living with Giants (West District)
The saguaro celebrates events and faces challenges throughout its life. A biologist explains how it provides shelter and substance for wildlife; when it flowers; its growth patterns; and how it fights for survival against drought, lightning, frost, and other dangers. Wheelchair accessible.
Location: Red Hills Visitor Center 2700 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 8574
Date: Dec 1, 2025 12:00am to Dec 30, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Icon of the Southwest (West District)
Join us for a 30-minute theater presentation on the Saguaro cactus, the iconic symbol of the Southwest. Learn about its unique adaptations, ecological significance, and the cultural importance it holds in the region. Discover how this remarkable cactus has become an enduring icon of the Southwest! Wheelchair accessible
Date: Dec 3, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Hike (East District)
Hike up the Tanque Verde Ridge trail to get fantastic views of the sunset in the park. This hike is 0.5 miles round-trip on rugged terrain. Water, hiking shoes, and trekking poles are recommended.
Location: Please meet at the Javelina Picnic Area located along the park's scenic loop drive.
Date: Dec 3, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Arizona's Wildcats! (West District)
This is not about the University of Arizona’s teams nor is it about your mom’s house cat! Join an Interpretive Ranger in the theater to learn about the four types of wild cats that roam not only Arizona’s mountains and deserts, but in some cases – our cities and towns! Wheelchair accessible.
Location: Red Hills Visitor Center 2700 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
Date: Dec 5, 2025 12:00am to Dec 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
The Desert as a Provider (West District)
Join us in the Red Hills Visitor Center to discover various plant species native to the Sonoran Desert and learn how indigenous peoples traditionally used them for food and medicine. Wheelchair accessible.
Location: Red Hills Visitor Center 2700 N Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743
Date: Dec 5, 2025 12:00am to Dec 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
King Canyon – Gould Mine Loop Hike
Join a park volunteer for a three-hour, 3-mile hike that climbs about 330 feet. The route includes part of the Sendero Esperanza Trail and all the Gould Mine and King Canyon Wash Trails, offering a chance to learn about desert plants, the park’s historical copper mining, ancient peoples and their petroglyphs, and the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Meet at 8 AM sharp at the King Canyon trailhead which is about 15 minutes southeast of the visitor center, across from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If temperatures at the trailhead exceed 80°F/27°C, the hike will be canceled. 10 people max, reservations required. Please call the Red Hills Visitor Center at 520-733-5158 to make reservations.
Date: Dec 5, 2025 12:00am to Dec 26, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
What is a Javelina? (West District)
You may have seen one, you may have seen a picture of one and you may have even smelled one - STINKY! Join an Interpretive Volunteer in the theater for a short program that will answer all the questions you have about Javelina and why IT DOES NOT LIKE BEING CALLED A PIG! Wheelchair accessible
Date: Dec 7, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Icon of the Southwest (West District)
Join us for a 30-minute theater presentation on the Saguaro cactus, the iconic symbol of the Southwest. Learn about its unique adaptations, ecological significance, and the cultural importance it holds in the region. Discover how this remarkable cactus has become an enduring icon of the Southwest! Wheelchair accessible
Date: Dec 8, 2025 12:00am to Dec 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730
🏤 Mailing Address:
3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730
📞 Voice Phone: 5207335153
✉️ Email: sagu_information@nps.gov