Saguaro National Park ⓘ

“ … a great natural area for maintaining the botanical and zoological forms of the Southwest under natural conditions.”

- Homer L. Shantz, President of the University of Arizona, describing his vision for Saguaro National Monument (now Park)

On March 1, 1933, in the last days of his presidency, Herbert Hoover signed a Proclamation establishing Saguaro National Monument in the nearly empty desert, 15 miles east of the sleepy town of Tucson. Wrenched by the Great Depression and awaiting a new administration, few in Washington paid any attention to Hoover’s action. But it was a victory for both botanists and boosters in Arizona who’d worked for years to protect this grandest stand of saguaros. And it was a far-sighted accomplishment that would have incredible benefits for future generations of both Tucsonans and tourists.

It was in 1920 that members of the Natural History Society of the University of Arizona first expressed interest in preserving a stand of the West’s most iconic plant species. Already famous from countless silent movie westerns, the saguaro was high on everyone’s list as a symbol of the frontier. Still, desert land cost money, and the Society’s fund-raising efforts failed. But in 1928 University president Homer L. Shantz, in his role as a plant scientist, took up the cause. He envisioned a vast outdoor laboratory, ranging from the cactus-studded desert to the pine-wreathed mountains, free from human disturbance and studied by generations of student scientists.

Unfortunately, academics’ dreams and political realities seldom mesh. Although Shantz succeeded in purchasing some cactus acreage with University funds, it was clear that other means were necessary. First of all, the agency managing the mountains would have to agree to the grand design. After heated discussions the U.S. Forest Service reluctantly signed on, as long as they kept control and cattle grazing continued. The National Park Service, charged with preserving vistas of grand landscapes and objects of scientific interest, sent the Superintendent of Yellowstone, Roger Toll, on a winter trip to the desert. He liked the Cactus Forest but found the mountains uninteresting and the cost too high. The vision seemed to be fading.

But there were others in Tucson who saw the value and prestige of having a National Monument nearby. Frank Hitchcock, publisher of the local Citizen newspaper, active in the business community, and influential in Republican politics, knew the time was ripe for action in Washington. With help from both agencies he literally rushed to Washington to take advantage of a tradition started by Teddy Roosevelt – the proclamation of National Monuments at the end of a President’s term. With support from the Secretary of Agriculture and the promise of Forest Service management, Saguaro National Monument was born on the first of March, 1933.

But times change – sometimes quickly. Only two months later, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered that sixteen national monuments be transferred to the National Park Service and Saguaro began a long slow march to the treasured sanctuary it is today. Often the progress was painful: early rangers had to haul water from the center of town; “cactus rustling” was rampant; cattle continued to trample young cactuses for decades. Aging of the cactus forest and lack of regeneration led to a widespread belief that the saguaro was a dying breed, like the frontier life it symbolized. Efforts to close the Monument were suggested, but Washington took no action …

And there were successes. Homer Shantz continued his efforts on behalf of the Cactus Forest, leading to Civilian Conservation Corps construction of the famous Loop Drive (fully restored in the summer of 2006!) A Visitor Center opened in the 1950’s and important scientific research brought a fuller understanding of the saguaro life cycle by 1970. Most importantly, in 1961, at the urging of the people of Tucson and Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall, President Kennedy added 25 square miles of splendid cactus lands in the Tucson Mountains to the Monument. Finally, after setting aside vast areas as wilderness, Congress elevated Saguaro to National Park status in 1994.

Happy Valley Fire Lookout is one of a dwindling number of fire outposts that still stand in national parks. Set high in the Rincon Mountains, the current lookout was built in 1968 and doubled as a residence for the fire fighters, who were typically young married couples.

The lookout has large glass windows (currently boarded up) that gave the fire aides a stunning 360 degree view of Mica Mountain to the north, the San Pedro River Valley and sky island mountains to the east, Rincon Peak to the south, and Tucson to the west.

After aerial fire patrols replaced lookouts in the late 1970s, the structure was used by park rangers and trail crews. However, it later fell into disrepair. In 2024 support from Western National Parks enabled Saguaro National Park to evaluate the structure's historic value. Due to its historic integrity and important place in the park’s fire management history, architectural historians determined that the Happy Valley Lookout was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Park staff are currently working on cleaning and stabilizing the structure and developing plans to restore it to its historic condition.

Rock art is found throughout the world. These images afford us rare opportunities to look into the past and provide us with insight into the lives of ancient peoples. The southwestern United States is rich in this art, and Saguaro National Park has many rock art sites. Most southwestern rock art predates written history and had its origins hundreds (and perhaps thousands) of years ago among the people of this region. Prehistoric occupation of Saguaro National Park spans the Archaic and Hohokam periods. Evidence of the Archaic Period in the park, which may go back as far as 5000 B.C., is limited to temporary camps and hunting sites. The Hohokam were farmers, gatherers and hunters who lived in the river valleys and deserts of southern Arizona from about A.D. 300 to 1450. Most of the rock art in the park appears to be from the Hohokam Period. Prehistoric rock art in Tucson falls into two categories: petroglyphs and pictographs. In the Hohokam region, the rock art is primarily petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs are designs pecked, incised or abraded onto rock surfaces. Petroglyph artists preferred patinated surfaces. Patina is a natural geological process that results in a dark coating on rock surfaces. It is also known as desert varnish. Chipping away on a patinated surface exposes the lighter color beneath. Different methods were used to create the petroglyphs. Pecking was the most common method used and was accomplished by a direct blow with a hammerstone or indirectly by striking a stone held against the rock face with a second stone or hammerstone. Another method was scratching or incising designs onto the rock surface with a sharp-edged stone. Abrading was sometimes used to grind the surface of the rock in the interior of a pecked petroglyph design.

Both representational and abstract designs can be seen in Hohokam petroglyphs. Abstract designs include geometric forms and curvilinear lines; spirals are quite common. Representational designs depict life forms in a stylized manner. Human forms, mountain sheep, deer, reptiles and plant designs are found throughout Tucson and the surrounding mountains. Most rock art can be classified into five general categories: basic geometric elements, geometric designs, botanical designs, zoomorphic designs, and anthropomorphic designs

Rock art is difficult to date. Clues include the condition of the image, the subject of the image or a comparison of the image with similar designs found on pottery or other well dated artifacts. New techniques are continually being developed to assist in dating this art form.

Rock art is irreplaceable. Please assist us in preserving this part of the rich, cultural landscape of Saguaro National Park. Treat all rock art with respect. Do not touch rock art as the oils in your skin can damage them. Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints. ­

Herbert Hoover declared this land a National Monument on March 1st, 1933. Here is the historic document showing that very declaration (left). Learn more about our history and establishment.

Congress officially elevated the area known as Saguaro National Monument to the current designation as a National Park in 1994. The land addition on the southern border of the Rincon Mountain District occurred that same year and with gracious land donations from time to time we have increased to our current land area.

Cultural resources can be defined as physical evidence of past human activity: site, object, landscape, structure; or a site, structure, landscape, object or natural feature of significance to a group of people traditionally associated with it.

Archeological resources: The remains of past human activity and records documenting the scientific analysis of these remains.

Historic structures: A building or other structure (such as a bridge, mine, canal, ship, or locomotive) that is significant because of its link to an important period in the past.

Cultural landscapes: Settings humans have created in the natural world.

Ethnographic resources: Sites, structures, landscapes, objects or natural features of significance to a traditionally associated group of people.

The archeological sites at Saguaro National Park span more than 8,000 years of prehistoric and historic-period occupation. The prehistoric sites are primarily Archaic (3500-2100 BCE [before Common Era] and Hohokam (500-1450 CE [Common Era]) artifact scatters with low surface visibility and expression. The artifact scatters represent villages, campsites, farmsteads, and stone quarries. Other prehistoric sites include rock art (petroglyphs and pictographs), rock shelters, and bedrock milling sites. The one prehistoric site that is accessible to the park visitor is Signal Hill. This is a small but distinct hill with petroglyphs on the many boulders that cover the hillside. Access to the site is from the Signal Hill picnic area.

Historic-period sites include ranching related sites, mining sites, limes kilns, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) structures and features, and historic-period trash scatters. The Freeman Homestead and two of the six lime kilns are on the Arizona State Register of Historic Places. Many of the CCC historic structures are in excellent condition and are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Manning Cabin and the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center are listed in the National Register, as are all of the archeological sites in the Rincon Mountain District (RMD) below 4,000 feet, which are contributing elements of the Rincon Mountain Foothills Archeological National Register District.

Examples of the park’s historic structures can be found along several of the park maintained trails. The visitor can view two lime kilns along the Cactus Forest Trail in the RMD. Also along that trail are the remains of the first permanent building in Saguaro National Park that served as both residence and contact station. The Freeman Homestead can be found along the Freeman Homestead Trail. The RMD Visitor Center is an example of Mission 66 architecture. Manning Cabin, dating to 1905, is only accessible to those hearty individuals who can hike the 12 miles up the mountain; this does requires a back country permit.

Saguaro National Park’s (SNP) Cultural Resource Management Program (CRM) is responsible for the protection and preservation of the park’s cultural resources, compliant with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (among others). Cultural resources include archeological sites (both prehistoric and historic), buildings and structures, landscapes, museum objects, and historic documents.

The NHPA requires the Park Service to inventory the historic properties under our control, evaluate them in terms of eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, and nominate those that are determined eligible for the National Register. Section 106 of the NHPA requires that we consider the effects of our actions on historic properties and provide the regulatory agencies an opportunity to comment on potential impacts from those actions. This requirement safeguards against inadvertent impacts to historic properties from park actions. Under this requirement Cultural Resource staff consult with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office as well as affiliated Native American tribes. The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act describes the rights of Native American lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations with respect to the treatment, repatriation, and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, with which they can show a relationship of lineal descent or cultural affiliation

This statute provides greater protection for Native American burial sites and more careful control over the removal of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and items of cultural patrimony on Federal and tribal lands. Saguaro National Park’s cultural resources include over 450 archeological sites, over 60 historic structures, one cultural landscape (the Cactus Forest Drive), one traditional use area (for the collection of saguaro fruit), as well as many museum objects. The park's museum collections include cultural collections that document both prehistoric and historic human activity in the park and include archeological holdings, history collections and ethnology collections. The collection totals 12,469 cataloged objects and includes written documentation, photographs, and oral histories.

The Cultural Resource Program at Saguaro National Park (SNP) has the responsibility of performing regularly scheduled condition assessments for both prehistoric and historic resources. These assessments document environmental and structural changes, including vandalism to cultural resources in the park

These reports provides the Park the necessary information to allocate funds and personnel to rectify conditions that might otherwise lead to the loss of a resource. The King Canyon Road is a 1.5 mile long cut and fill road built along the steep slopes of King Canyon Wash and connects Mile-Wide Mine to Kinney Road. The first 0.9 miles of road, from traihead to Mam-A-Gah picnic area, was worked on by the CCC in the base of the collapsed wall, was used to fill in behind the reconstructed walls. The work area was restored back to its natural condition and no evidence of the work remained for the visitor to see.

Photos documenting the condition of the walls, before and after stabilization, were taken. Photos documenting the work itself were also taken. Safety protocols were reviewed each day before work began and were stringently adhered to throughout the work day. No injuries were reported during this project.

A four foot tall Saguaro cactus growing within the ruins of one of the adobe structures at Camp Pima threatened the integrity of the adobe walls. Knowing that the structure has a concrete floor and that Saguaro roots tend to be fairly shallow it was felt that the roots of the cactus would eventually travel along the floor and infiltrate the adobe, thus impacting the integrity of the walls. To protect the adobe brick walls from the invasive roots it was decided to remove the saguaro and transplant it to a more appropriate location.

In May of 2015, biological technicians and the archeologist from SNP transplanted the saguaro. Its new home is the ring of saguaro cactus at the entrance of Camp Pima. The ring of saguaros is itself a significant cultural feature that was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Undoubtedly, the ring was created during the construction of the camp in 1933 when a number of good sized saguaros had to be removed in order to make room for the buildings. Those saguaros were transplanted to form a circle at the entrance to the camp.

Over the past 80 years 10 of the 21 mature saguaros that make up the ring have died. By transplanting the saguaro from the adobe structure to the ring of saguaros, we have protected the structure while insuring the survival of the ring of saguaros. If the occasion should arise where another saguaro needs to be moved, the ring of saguaros will be there waiting for the new member to join their small community.

Find a working plant list for the park as well as interactive keys to help identify plants at both park districts.

Contribute to important park science while having fun in your national park by looking for plant and animal species on our Scavenger Hunt!

Saguaro National Park is in the Sonoran Desert, which is the most biodiverse desert! The level of biodiversity can be attributed to a number of factors, but the main two are the amount of water and the considerable elevation differences between the desert floor and the high mountains.

The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,670 ft to 8,666 ft and contains 6 biotic communities. The biotic communities (starting from the lowest elevation) include desert scrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, pine-oak woodland, pine forest and mixed conifer forest. Average annual precipitation is approximately 12.30 inches. The Rincon Mountains peak at a considerably higher elevation than the Tucson Mountains; therefore, there are more biotic communities and increased plant and wildlife diversity. Because of the higher elevation in the Rincons, animals like the black bear, Mexican spotted owl, Arizona mountain kingsnake, and white-tailed deer live in this district. The Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,180 ft to 4,687 ft and contains 2 biotic communities, desert scrub, and desert grassland. Average annual precipitation is approximately 10.27 inches. Common wildlife include the coyote, Gambel’s quail, and desert tortoise.

Birds are flying vertebrates. They're built to fly with feathers and a strong but lightweight skeleton. All birds have beaks, whose shapes are specialized to the food they eat. For example, predatory birds (raptors) like hawks have hooked beaks to kill and dismember prey. Hummingbirds and other nectar feeders have bills designed to fit into flowers. Although bird songs can sound melodic and simple, they are very specific calls used to attract a mate or warn other birds.

Arizona is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Saguaro National Park contains many species seen in few other places in the United States, such as vermilion flycatchers and whiskered screech owls. The diversity of habitats in the park ranges from lowland desert up to pine forests. These diverse ecosystems support a surprising array of bird life. Common desert birds include greater roadrunners, Gila woodpeckers, and Gambel’s quail. Northern goshawks, yellow-eyed juncos, and Mexican jays can be found in the park's higher elevations. Saguaro National Park is also a seasonal home to neotropical migratory birds !

This large member of the cuckoo family is probably the most famous bird of the Southwest. It is also an effective predator. Though it rarely flies, the roadrunner can reach speeds of 15 mph, which allow it to catch fast moving prey like lizards and rodents. When moving at high speeds, the roadrunner uses its tail as a rudder.The female lays eggs at intervals so that if there is a shortage of food, the younger birds are fed to the older hatchlings. Length: 23 in. Wingspan: 22 in. Diet: Small mammals, small birds, snakes, lizards, as well as some fruit and seeds

The Northern cardinal and the pyrrhuloxia are very closely related. They have extremely similar songs and habits. Because they are similar in color, the male Pyrrhuloxia is often mistaken for a female cardinal. One easy way to tell them apart is the yellowish parrot-like bill of the pyrrhuloxia, versus the cardinal's red bill. Length: 8.75 in. Wingspan: 12 in. Diet: Seeds, berries, and insects

The phainopepla belongs to a small group of birds known as the silky flycatchers, but they are not related to true flycatchers. Their diet is primarily desert mistletoe. It disperses mistletoe seeds to host plants as the seeds pass through the birds’ digestive system. The male is shiny and black with a crest and bright red eyes, while the female is gray and also has red eyes. Length: 7.75 in. Wingspan: 11 in. Diet: Berries (especially mistletoe) and insects

This common Sonoran Desert hawk is often seen in saguaro forests. Unlike most other hawks, the Harris’s hawk lives and hunts in social groups. Most groups consist of a breeding pair and several non-breeding adult birds that help in feeding the young, defending the nest, and hunting. They hunt in groups to increase hunting success, sometimes surrounding prey to flush it out of deep brush. Length: 20 in. Wingspan: 42 in. Diet: Rodents, rabbits, snakes, lizards, and birds

This common Sonoran Desert woodpecker makes nest cavities in the sides of saguaros inbetween the skin and the inner ribs (the outer cortex) of the cactus. With the saguaro tissue serving as insulation, these cavities provide safety from predators and refuge from extreme temperatures. Abandoned woodpecker holes make great nests for elf owls, kestrels, and purple martins. Length: 9.25 in. Wingspan: 16 in. Diet: Insects, cactus fruit, and berries

The Gambel’s quail is easy recognized by the black, comma-shaped top-knot protruding from its forehead. This bird avoids extreme summer temperatures by being most active during the early mornings and late afternoons. It spends the hottest part of the day in the shade. If water is available, the Gambel’s quail will drink daily; otherwise, it gets enough water to survive from eating insects and cactus fruit. Gambel’s quail usually nest on the ground, which can be a dangerous place for baby birds. All young hatch on the same day with their eyes open and covered with down. From that day forward, they are ready to follow (and keep up with) their parents. Length: 10 in. Wingspan: 14 in. Diet: Mostly seeds, some insects and fruit

Saguaro National Park is located within a desert, but, contrary to what you might expect, there is an abundance of life. Plants here are adapted to drought; during long, dry periods, they are able to go dormant in order to conserve their water. At these times, many plants appear lifeless. However, shortly after a rainfall, these plants are able to come to life sprouting new green leaves. If you like green, you will especially enjoy Saguaro National Park during the rainy seasons. Within just 48 hours after a rainfall, the ocotillo plant is able to change from what appeared to be a handful of dead sticks into a cheerful shrub with tall green branches, covered in new leaves.

The varied elevation within the park allows for a great variety of different species. The Madrean Sky Islands, which the Rincon Mountains are a part of, is one of the most biodiverse places in the country with more than 7,000 species of plants and animals. An exact number of plants is difficult to determine given the complexity of the topography. Changes in taxonomy also make it hard to uniformly sample the plants, and there are a number of voucher specimens housed in unknown locations.

Currently, there is one USFWS Threatened or Endangered plant within the park, that being Bartram's stonecrop aka Patagonia Mountain leatherpetal (Graptopetalum bartramii). The park does have rare and sensitive plant species. The park estimates there are approximately 80 non-native plant species some of which are quite invasive. The Restoration and Invasive Plant Management Program, with help from volunteers, maps and removes non-native invasive species from both districts of the park.

Although the Sonoran Desert can seem foreboding, it is home to many animal species. These animals have adapted to the desert’s high temperatures and scarce water supply. Many species simply avoid the hot daytime temperatures by being active only at night or by seeking shelter in shaded nests or burrows. Others have features that allow them to stay cool - the jackrabbit’s large ears allow heat to radiate away from its body, and vultures actually urinate on themselves to dissipate heat!

Saguaro National Park contains a great variety of unusual animals, some of which can only be found in southern Arizona. Roadrunners, horned lizards, Gila monsters, kangaroo rats, and collared peccaries are all seen regularly by visitors. Although Saguaro NP lies on the edge of the Sonoran Desert, Mica Mountain in the Rincon Mountain District reaches more than 8600’ in height. This altitude allows for cooler temperatures and pine trees, as well as mammals such as black bears and white-tailed deer. The park is also home to species more commonly associated with the tropics, such as coati. Precious, often hidden desert waters contain aquatic leopard frogs and mud turtles. Looking for wildlife? Learn about the signs of life.

This tiny, nocturnal hunter is also the world’s smallest owl. Because of their size, elf owls feed chiefly on insects - usually beetles and moths. Elf owls nest in former woodpecker holes or cavities in trees and saguaros. Elf owls migrate to southern Mexico before the end of October and return to the Sonoran desert by March to breed. Length: 5.75 in. Wingspan: 13 in. Diet: Insects and arthropods

The curve-billed thrasher is a large, grayish-brown bird with yellow eyes and a noticeably curved bill. A ground forager, the curve-billed thrasher uses its bill to flick aside and dig in the soil for insects and seeds. It builds a nest of twigs in cholla cactus, yucca, or mesquite and has been known to destroy cactus wren nests when nesting sites are in demand. Length: 11 in. Wingspan: 13.5 in. Diet: Insects, berries, and fruit

The common raven is the largest member of the corvid family (jays, magpies, crows, and ravens). Although the common raven is extremely difficult to tell apart from the Chihuahuan raven by sight, the Chihuahuan raven is often found in groups, while the common raven is often seen alone or in pairs. Extremely adaptable birds, they are found in diverse habitats from forests to cities to Arctic ice flows. Length: 24 in. Wingspan: 53 in. Diet: Carrion

Thanks to its curious nature and rough, abrasive calls, the cactus wren is one of the best known birds of the Sonoran Desert. It’s the state bird of Arizona! Both male and female birds construct the first breeding nest. Then, while the female is incubating the eggs, the male will construct a new nest that serves as a roosting nest for the adults. These roosting nests are important because they protect adult birds from predators and extreme weather. Roosting nests may be used as brood nests for later clutches, as cactus wrens often raise several broods a year. Length: 8.5 in. Wingspan: 11in. Diet: Insects and other arthropods, fruit, and seeds

This beautiful hummingbird is present year round in the northern regions of the Sonoran Desert. Adult males have a rose/reddish-orange iridescent helmet. They can easily be lured to backyard hummingbird feeders. Length: 4 in. Diet: Nectar and small insects

The red-tailed hawk is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. It can be found year-round in the Sonoran Desert. Although they are named for the rusty-red tail feathers most adults have, their plumage colors are extremely variable. Some red-tailed hawks are rufous or almost completely black, while others can be mostly white. Length: 19 in. Wingspan: 49 in. Diet: Mostly rodents, rabbits

During the warmer months of the year, turkey vultures can often be spotted soaring over the Sonoran Desert. They search for food while soaring on thermals. If conditions are right, they can go for hours without flapping their wings. They locate food using their incredible sense of smell (which is unusual for birds) and by sight. Their featherless heads keep them clean, as they stick their entire head into the body cavities of dead animals to feast. Length: 26 in. Wingspan: 67 in. Diet: Carrion

During spring in the Sonoran Desert, the air is filled with the mating call of the white-winged dove. Their hoots and coos are so abundant that they sometimes drown out the sounds of other birds. However noisy the white-winged dove might be, they play a very important role in the life cycle of the saguaro cactus. When saguaros flower, white-winged doves move from flower to flower, sipping nectar and pollinating the plant. Once the flowers become fruit, the doves have a new food source. The sweet fruit is filled with thousands of tiny seeds, which are consumed and digested. However, occasionally a dove feeding her young may inadvertantly drop a seed. If that seed is dropped while the dove is perched on a tree or bush, that tree or bush might become a nurse plant to the growing saguaro. Such a plant protects the young saguaro from extreme weather and animals and greatly increases its chances of survival. Size: 11.5 in. Wingspan: 19 in. Diet: Seeds and fruit

The tiny verdin is not a close relative of any other bird in the Western Hemisphere. Instead, it is believed to belong to a group of small, inconspicuous birds from Eurasia and Africa. The male verdin may build several spherical nests of bulky twigs before the female chooses one in which to lay her eggs. Young verdins are ready to fledge about three weeks after hatching but still return to the nest at night. Length: 4.5 in. Wingspan: 6.5 in. Diet: Insects and nectar

Exploring the Backcountry From cactus-covered desert to pine-cloaked mountain heights, the Saguaro Wilderness Area in the Rincon Mountains protects the last roadless ‘sky island’ mountain range in Southern Arizona. Designated by Congress in 1976 – along with lands in the Tucson Mountains – this Wilderness Area provides another layer of protection to your Saguaro National Park. Together with the adjacent Rincon Mountain Wilderness on the Coronado National Forest, the protected wild acreage totals nearly 100,000 acres within sight of the sprawling city of Tucson. Solitude awaits you on these cool, forested slopes. Permits Reservations for backcountry camping are required, and permits are available on Recreation.gov.

Manning Cabin located at the Manning Camp Area at 7,920 feet of elevation. Cabin is not accessible to the public. NPS Photo / Vanessa Gonzalez Know Before You Go There are no accommodations for any vehicle camping (including RV). Campfires are prohibited at Douglas Spring and Grass Shack camps. Use only dead and downed wood and be sure fires are cold and dead before leaving. Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day – more in low country in summer. Treat all surface water. Water is scarce at all times at most campsites. Before you go, contact the Visitor Center to ask about water reports. Respect the weather in all seasons; it can change without warning. The high country will be far different from the low! Be informed on desert seasons. Do not cross flooded streams. Wait until the flow subsides. Be cautious of wildlife. Know what to do if you encounter bees, bears, or mountain lions. Wear appropriate clothing (in layers) and footwear . Pace yourself according to your physical condition. Cellular phones work in much of the wilderness; if not, try a high point with a view toward Tucson (west) or Benson (east). Do not leave valuables in vehicles, lock securely. Camping is allowed in designated campgrounds only. No spike camping is permitted in the park.

Campsites Camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area. These camp sites are not accessible by vehicles and must be hiked to. The fee for this permit is $8 per campsite, per night. The maximum number of people allowed per campsite is 6, with the maximum size of any one group of 18 people. Camp Site Number of Sites Campground Elevation Distance from Nearest Trailhead Manning Camp 6 7,920 feet 7.5 mi ( Turkey Creek ) Spud Rock Spring 3 7,400 feet 5.3 mi ( Turkey Creek ) Happy Valley Saddle 3 6,200 feet 4.1 mi ( Miller Creek ) Juniper Basin 3 6,000 feet 6.9 mi ( Tanque Verde Ridge ) Grass Shack 3 5,200 feet 10 mi ( Loma Alta/ Hope Camp ) Douglas Spring 3 4,800 feet 6.3 mi (Douglas Spring)

Juniper Basin Campground NPS Photo Juniper Basin This campground is a tough day hike up the Tanque Verde Ridge over 6.9 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain. Exceptional views can be seen throughout the hike, and habitats change quickly from desert scrub to oak savanna and pine / juniper woodlands. Water here is very seasonal, and it is often dry during the summer, spring and fall. When there is water, sources can be found west of site 1 (following a footpath to pools of water) and north of sites 2 and 3. Fires are allowed here only from collecting dead and downed wood.

View from Douglas Spring Campground NPS Photo Douglas Spring The closest access point to this campground is from the Douglas Spring trailhead. From there, it is a 6.5 mile hike with approximately 1800 feet of elevation gain. There are plenty of Mesquites and junipers in the area that provide some shade in the hotter months. This is the lowest campground and as such is ideal during winter storms that blanket the higher elevations with snow.

Chimenea Creek seasonally flows through Grass Shack campground NPS Photo / TWiewel Grass Shack Grass Shack is a great campground that offers shade from large oaks.. The biggest watershed in the Rincon mountains (Chimenea Creek) runs through and by the campground, providing water most of the year. Fires are not allowed here as this campground is in a fragile, riparian ecosystem surrounded by a thick grassland.

Happy Valley campground offers a shady escape from the desert sun NPS Photo / T. Wiewel Happy Valley Around the back side of the Rincon Mountains is Happy Valley Road and access to the Miller Creek trailhead and Turkey Creek trailhead. Take exit 297 from Interstate-10 (Mescal Road). Be advised this is a rarely maintained dirt road that has multiple stream crossings. During wet winters and the monsoon season, this road may be impassable.

Enjoy Spud Rock among the ponderosa pines NPS Photo Spud Rock Spud Rock is the most isolated of our six campgrounds, sitting on the east side of the range at 7200 feet. Access is generally from the east, but Turkey Creek trailhead is very difficult to drive and requires a lifted truck or a jeep. At the very least, you will need a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Also, make sure to check the conditions of the road before heading out as it can become muddy and treacherous after some rain.

A sunny day at Manning Camp NPS Photo / T. Wiewel Manning Built by former Tucson Mayor Levi Manning, this camp was his family's summer home. Now, this camp serves as a high elevation base for many of our fire and natural resource studies. At 8000 feet, Manning Camp exists in a completely different climate from the desert scrub that we experience down at the Visitor Center. There are six campsites here, and the area is mostly shaded by the ponderosa pines, making it a cool escape from the desert sun. This area is a savior from the sweltering heat in the valley below, rarely exceeding 85 degrees. A perennial water source near the cabin has only dried up twice in Saguaro's history, so water is almost always available. A sign leads down to it. Fires are a must at night with fire rings as lows typically are below 40 degrees until late May.

The closest access point to this campground is from the Douglas Spring trailhead. From there, it is a 6.5 mile hike with approximately 1800 feet of elevation gain. There are plenty of Mesquites and junipers in the area that provide some shade in the hotter months. This is the lowest campground and as such is ideal during winter storms that blanket the higher elevations with snow. The hike up offers beautiful views down toward Tanque Verde Falls and of multiple drainages including Tina Larga tank. There is a drainage about 50 feet east of the campsite, but water is seasonal, so it is smart to check water reports before heading out. Fires are not allowed here due to the lack of firewood and the extremely fire-prone grasslands that occupy the area. Cell service is not guaranteed, and you may have to wander around a bit or head east on the trail (uphill) to get a signal.

Grass Shack is a great campground that offers shade from large oaks.. The biggest watershed in the Rincon mountains (Chimenea Creek) runs through and by the campground, providing water most of the year. Fires are not allowed here as this campground is in a fragile, riparian ecosystem surrounded by a thick grassland. The easiest access to Grass Shack is from the Camino Loma Alta trailhead, and this 10-mile hike climbs 2200 feet to the campground, which is often not affected by winter storms. Views are exceptional to the south as you climb through and above the saguaros. This is one of the areas in the backcountry that does not have consistent cell service, so please plan accordingly. If you need to make contact, climb 0.5 - 1 mile in either direction of the campsite. This is the first of two campgrounds on the Arizona Trail

Around the back side of the Rincon Mountains is Happy Valley Road and access to the Miller Creek trailhead and Turkey Creek trailhead. Take exit 297 from Interstate-10 (Mescal Road). Be advised this is a rarely maintained dirt road that has multiple stream crossings. During wet winters and the monsoon season, this road may be impassable. This is the shortest hike to a campground, covering 3.9 miles and over 2000 feet of elevation gain. Water at this campsite is variable, only occurring during wet times. This campground offers a resting point to climbing Rincon Peak, and sits at an elevation of 6200 feet. There are many dangerous dead pine trees in the area, and this area is often affected by winter storms. However, during the summer, the trailhead elevation is much higher and offers excellent views to the east.

NPS Photo Explore Our Scenic Loop Drives! Both districts of Saguaro National Park offer scenic drives around the cactus forest. Each invites new sights and experiences, as well as an incredible number of saguaros. (Crazy that there are so many out here at Saguaro National Park, right?)

Oversize Vehicle Restrictions: Along the loop drive in both districts (Cactus Forest Drive - east; Bajada Loop Drive - west), vehicles in excess of 102 inches (8.5 feet) wide and/or towing a vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, etc. for a combined total length of 40 feet or longer are prohibited. Rincon Mountain District (east): The Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a paved road that lacks parking for RVs and larger vehicles. The Loop Drive features several trailheads, scenic vistas and pullouts in a total of 8 miles (12.9 km). Tucson Mountain District (west): The Scenic Bajada Loop Drive is a popular way of exploring the district’s foothills. This unpaved, graded dirt road offers scenic pullouts, picnic areas, and hiking trailheads in a 6 mile (9.7 km) loop. High clearance or four-wheel drive is not needed to drive the loop.

Mountain biking is permitted only on the 2.5 mile (4.0 km) multi-use portion of the Cactus Forest Trail, which is circled by the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. The trail may be ridden in either direction, but you may not ride against traffic on the one-way portion of the Cactus Forest Loop Drive if you exit the trail on the north end. Trail riding is also permitted on the 2.9 mile (4.7 km) Hope Camp Trail. Tucson Mountain District (west): Bicycling is permitted along the Bajada Loop Drive and all paved roads. Bicycling is not permitted on any trails, except the 0.5 mile (0.8 km) Belmont Multi-use trail and the 2.5 mile (4.0 km) Golden Gate Multi-use trail. Picture Rocks Road (on the north) is not recommended for bicycling for safety reasons.

Bicycles are not allowed in front of the Visitor Center. Learn more about bicycling in Saguaro . Hiking Let's hike! But first, let's make sure we are safe . Wait... perhaps we should also look at a map? Ok, now let's hike!

NPS Photo Horseback Riding and Stock Use Rincon Mountain District (east): Horseback riding off-trail is prohibited. To protect resources and limit damage, livestock are restricted from certain trails and areas entirely South of the intersection of Carillo and Wild Horse trails Tanque Verde Ridge Trail Desert Ecology Trail Freeman Homestead Trail Mica View Picnic Area Javelina Picnic Area Visitor Center Area Horse Trailer Parking: Use designated trailer parking. For trails in the Cactus Forest, use the Wild Horse Trailhead. In the Rincon Valley, trailer parking is available 0.4 mile (0.6 km) south of the Loma Alta trailhead. No trailer parking is provided off the Cactus Forest Loop Drive or at the visitor center. Please park trailer outside the park. Learn more about our rules and regulations . Tucson Mountain District (west): Stock groups are limited to 15 animals. Stock are prohibited from off-trail travel. To protect resources and limit damage, livestock are restricted from certain trails and areas entirely Desert Discovery Trail Hugh Norris Trail King Canyon Trail from Sweetwater Trail junction to the Hugh Norris Trail junction Cactus Wren Trail south of the Encinas Trail Manville Trail from Signal Hill Picnic Area to Manville Road Bajada Wash Trail from Valley View Overlook Trail to Sus Picnic Area Red Hills Visitor Center Area including the Cactus Garden, Javelina Wash, and Watering Hole trails Sus Picnic Area Signal Hill Picnic Area Stock trailers should use Cam Boh, El Camino del Cerro, and Sendero Esperanza trailheads.

Both districts of Saguaro National Park offer scenic drives around the cactus forest. Each invites new sights and experiences, as well as an incredible number of saguaros. (Crazy that there are so many out here at Saguaro National Park, right?) Oversize Vehicle Restrictions: Along the loop drive in both districts (Cactus Forest Drive - east; Bajada Loop Drive - west), vehicles in excess of 102 inches (8.5 feet) wide and/or towing a vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, etc. for a combined total length of 40 feet or longer are prohibited.

The Scenic Bajada Loop Drive is a popular way of exploring the district’s foothills. This unpaved, graded dirt road offers scenic pullouts, picnic areas, and hiking trailheads in a 6 mile (9.7 km) loop. High clearance or four-wheel drive is not needed to drive the loop. The Loop begins at Hohokam Road, 1.5 miles west of the Red Hills Visitor Center. Leaving the visitor center, turn right onto Kinney Road. Follow Kinney Road 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the loop’s entrance on the right. The Loop ends where golden Gate Road meets Sandario Road. To return to the visitor center, turn left onto Sandario Road. Continue 0.2 mile to the junction with Kinney Road. Turn left. The visitor center is 2 miles (3.2 km) ahead. Biking is permitted on both the Bajada Loop and Cactus Forest Loop. Keep in mind the difference in terrain between districts, as Cactus Forest (east) is paved, and Bajada (west) is gravel.

Bicycling is allowed on the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive, as well as on two trails within the park. The loop drive is narrow with many tight turns and steep hills. Use extra caution when approaching the first steep downhill after going through the entrance station! Bicyclists must obey all posted speed limits and stop signs. Mountain biking is permitted only on the 2.5 mile (4.0 km) multi-use portion of the Cactus Forest Trail, which is circled by the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. The trail may be ridden in either direction, but you may not ride against traffic on the one-way portion of the Cactus Forest Loop Drive if you exit the trail on the north end. Trail riding is also permitted on the 2.9 mile (4.7 km) Hope Camp Trail.

Bicycling is permitted along the Bajada Loop Drive and all paved roads. Bicycling is not permitted on any trails, except the 0.5 mile (0.8 km) Belmont Multi-use trail and the 2.5 mile (4.0 km) Golden Gate Multi-use trail. Picture Rocks Road (on the north) is not recommended for bicycling for safety reasons. Bicycles are not allowed in front of the Visitor Center. Learn more about bicycling in Saguaro .