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.
In this video we will begin our full day’s adventure exploring the western side of this park - which features a higher concentration of cacti and a younger saguaro forest. Our first stop is at the Red Hills Visitor Center. Here you will find informative displays showcasing the geological history of this vast desert, as well as a gift shop.
At the (west) Tucson Mountain District, the 400-yard Cactus Garden Trail at the Red Hills Visitor Center follows a paved walkway through a collection of desert plants. A second nature trail, the Desert Discovery Trail, loops 1/2 mile along gently sloping bajadas at the foot of the Tucson Mountains; interpretive signs tell about the native plants, animals and ecology of the Sonoran Desert, while canopied benches offer a place to sit and enjoy the desert beauty. Also popular is the 0.8-mile (round-trip) Valley View Overlook Trail, which offers spectacular views of the mountains, the desert, and extensive saguaro forests. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the trail gradually ascends to a ridge, offering great views of the Avra Valley below, and Picacho Peak to the north. The Javelina Wash Trail is a short trail adjacent to the Visitor Center, where interpretive signs help visitors discover the hidden world of a desert wash. And, the Signal Hill Trail at the Signal Hill Picnic Area is a 300-yard climb rewarding visitors with views of hundreds of 800-year-old petroglyphs.
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.
Overall Saguaro National Park exceeded our expectations during our time in Arizona, and I cannot wait to return one day to explore the eastern portion of the park. As always sit back, relax and enjoy this travel guide to one of America’s National Icons. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for the latest travel adventures.
SOURCES: nps.gov
saguaronationalpark.com
friendsofsaguaro.org