Shortly after I moved to Arizona, I was on a nature trail in one of the parks outside of Tucson, and I overheard a young child’s remark that stuck in my mind: ”If I lived in the desert, I’d want to be a cactus.”

I believe I know just what that little boy meant; he had sensed that the cactus is equal to the challenges thrust at it by a hostile environment. He had cut through the tendency of most newcomers to look at the hard land and feel pity for any life that must exist there. For the unique beauty of the desert land will assure you that all the plants and creatures that live there have amazingly adapted well to the difficulties of survival and are very much at home. Saguaro National Park is a beautiful example of this.

Tucson is in a high desert valley, once the floor of an ancient inland sea, and is surrounded by four mountain ranges: The Santa Catalinas to the north, the Rincons to the east, the Santa Ritas to the south, and the Tucsons to the west.

Saguaro National Park is referred to as the east and west bookends of Tucson. The park consists of approximately 83,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert bordering Tucson in each of these directions. This National Park is totally dedicated to protecting and preserving the Saguaro Cactus and other desert vegetation of the Sonoran Desert.

The Saguaros are those huge, multi-armed, human-like shape, cacti. The saguaro only grows in southern Arizona, in California along the Colorado River, and in the northern Mexican state of Sonora. It can live more than 200 years, reaching heights of 30 to 40 feet; some up to 50 feet. Its blossom is the state flower, and blooms in May and June. They are quite fascinating and provide nests and homes for much of the wildlife. Also, its fruit can be used for food and as a beverage base.

Saguaro West: The Tucson Mountain District

Saguaro National Park West is about 15 miles west of central Tucson via Speedway Boulevard. There is an absolutely breathtaking view just as you reach the edge of Tucson, and all of a sudden the mountains and desert land open up before you. You will find the 6-mile Bajada Loop Drive winding (literally) through this area. The roads are narrow and tight in some of the areas so watch out for bikers and other drivers.

There are picnic areas, hiking trails, petroglyphs, a visitor center with an exhibit area and theatre. Also, tucked right in this area, are two of Tucson’s major attractions, Old Tucson Studios and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Old Tucson Studios was built in 1939 for the filming of the Western classic Arizona. Other movies filmed there were Tombstone, and High Chaparral, along with some 300 other films, TV episodes and commercials. Some of you might recognize the scenery from a lot of the old Westerns. I do every time I drive out that direction.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a completely unique zoo in which it exhibits more than 300 live animals, including mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, hawks, bighorn sheep---every animal is in it’s natural habitat. Almost 2 miles of paths lead you through landscapes containing over a 1,000 species of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert region. This is a must to visit if you are anywhere near Tucson, as it truly represents the habitat of the desert. The museum is an exceptionally clean and caring environment. You could make an entire day of it here. Two restaurants are also available at the museum and had really good food the last time I visited the museum. Unfortunately, that has been several years ago.

There are admission fees for both the Old Tucson Studios and the museum, but I am not familiar with their current rates. They are both a little expensive, but worth it if you plan to spend most of the day there.

Saguaro East: The Rincon Mountain District

Saguaro National Park East is about 15 miles east of central Tucson via Old Spanish Trail Road. There is a park headquarters in this district and it also contains a visitor center that has plant and animal exhibits. Nature programs are offered in the winter.

There is the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive that begins at the visitor center parking lot. It is extremely important to always pack water when hiking or driving in any of the desert areas. I am not as familiar with this area as I am Saguaro West, and it is easier for me to get turned around while hiking or driving in this area.

Both districts are open daily dawn to dusk. The visitor centers are open daily from 8:30 – 5:00. Admission to the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) is by 7-day or annual permit; 7 day permits cost $4.00 per vehicle or $2.00 for bikes and or other means of transportation. The Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) is free.


An early morning drive in July through Saguaro National Park might give you a glimpse of a red-tailed hawk scanning the Sonoran Desert for snakes, rodents and insects. During the morning and late afternoon of summer days, many desert animals, particularly birds and reptiles – but also a few mammals – hunt for food. By midday, most retrieve to the shade of their burrow to wait out the severe heat, as it gets so incredibly hot out there. You must always, always pack plenty of water when driving in any of the desert areas. It can be a cool 75 degrees and then all of a sudden the sun is high in the sky and it is 105!

A summer evening drive at dusk through the Saguaro National Park might rouse a variety of nocturnal animals such as the great horned owls. Bobcats up to 25 pounds are not an uncommon sight, and wander up to some of the houses on the outskirts of Tucson every once in awhile. Coyotes are seen often as well.

The Sonoran Desert has offered me many moments of stunning lights and hauntingly beautiful panoramas in the last 5 years that I have lived in Tucson. Although I reside here, the excitement and beauty of the desert lands go far beyond my experience to a sense of their vital place in the scheme of our world.


Recommended: Yes