Earthgoers Guide: Saguaro National Park

Summary

• Statistics: Over 91,000 acres in two districts, 165 miles of trails, 6 designated campgrounds (all in Rincon Wilderness area)
• Best time to visit: Fall to late Spring
• Hours: Open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset daily.  Each district has a visitor center open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Overnight stays require a permit.
• Fees: $10 per vehicle or $5 per person on foot or bicycle (valid for 7 days at both locations). $6 per campsite, per night. See official site for current prices.
• Directions to the Tucson Mountain District: From the city of Tucson, travel west on Speedway Boulevard. At the junction of Camino de Oeste, Speedway Boulevard will change names to Gates Pass Road. From this junction, drive 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) west on Gates Pass Road until it ends at Kinney Road (turn right on Kinney Road). Drive 3 miles (5 kilometers) north on Kinney Road to the Park entrance (entrance will be on the right side of the road). This route is not suitable for vehicles over 25 feet in length. See Google directions.
• Directions to the Rincon Mountain District: From the city of Tucson, travel east on Broadway or Speedway Boulevard to Freeman Road (turn right on Freeman Road). Drive south on Freeman Road (4 miles [6.5 kilometers] from Speedway, 3 miles [5 kilometers] from Broadway) to Old Spanish Trail. Turn left on Old Spanish Trail. Drive .25 miles (.4 kilometers) southeast on Old Spanish Trail to the Park entrance on the left side of the road.  See Google directions.
• Recommended book: A FalconGuide to Saguaro National Park and the Santa Catalina Mountains (Exploring Series)
• Recommended map: Saguaro National Park Trail Map

After you visit Saguaro National Park, be sure to help us make our trail guide more complete by adding images, posting your comments, updating information, and rating trails.  See Trails in Saguaro National Park to see our current trails, and if one you've hiked is not there, you can be the first to add the trail.

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