Park Entrance and Districts

Saguaro is separated into the Rincon Mountain District to the East and Tucson Mountain District to the West. Both sides are beautiful, but we recommend Saguaro West if you’ll be there for one day. The western side has the most cacti, petroglyphs, and day hikes.

The Red Hills Visitors Center on the West opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. It’s a great place to start your day, grab some maps, and learn a little about the park before you hit the trail. If you’re starting your day before the visitors center opens, stop by the nearby Desert Discovery Nature Trail to learn a little about the park while enjoying the morning light on the desert landscape.

Entry is $25 per vehicle and valid for seven days. There are also six free entrance days a year. You can find the list of free holidays here.

Discover Petroglyphs on Signal Hill Trail

Throughout Saguaro National Park, you'll find ancient petroglyphs from the ancient Hohokam people. The Signal Hill Trail is the best place to see these fascinating rock carvings.

This easy out-and-back trail, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, leads to an overlook where you can admire the petroglyphs and the surrounding desert landscape. If you’re an early riser, this is a perfect spot to watch the desert come alive with a cup of coffee and a picnic breakfast.

Enjoy Panoramic Views on the Sendero Esperanza Trail

Our favorite moderate hike in Saguaro is the Sendero Esperanza Trail. This 5.4-mile out-and-back trail has a 1000-foot elevation gain and takes just shy of three hours to complete. As you make your ascent, you’ll get stunning panoramic views of the valley and surrounding desert.

This hike is especially beautiful when wildflowers cover the valley and ridgeline from March to May. But if you can’t make it in the springtime, you’ll still see plenty of flowering cacti throughout the summer months and even into the autumn.

When you go, dress in layers and pack extra water. There’s no shade along this route, and temperatures can reach triple digits in summer.

Drive the Bajada Loop

If you want to escape the heat for a while but still explore the park, Bajada Loop is a scenic five-mile drive. The newly graded dirt road winds past impressive cacti and the petroglyphs on Signal Hill. Wildlife loves this area, so watch for javelinas and coyotes. There are plenty of pullouts along the way where you can stop, take photos, and enjoy a picnic.

So grab your hat and hit the trail at Saguaro National Park! When you go, snap a photo and tell us what you think of this stunning national park.