Saguaro National Park, in Tucson, Arizona, consists of two sections: The Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District. The city of Tucson splits the park in half so the Rincon Mountain District is also known as the East sector and the Tucson Mountain District is known as the West sector.
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| View in Saguaro National Park |
In 1933, President Herbert Hoover proclaimed land east of Tucson to be a National Monument. The proclamation stated the area was “…of outstanding scientific interest because of the exceptional growth thereon of various species of cacti, including the so-called giant cactus…”* In 1961, President John F. Kennedy enlarged the Saguaro National Monument by adding a region west of the city to it. Then, in 1994, an act of Congress transformed it into Saguaro National Park.
I visited the Rincon Mountain District on Martin Luther King Day, one of the days where entrance fees to all the U.S. national parks are waived. (The other days in 2025 are April 19, June 19, August 4, September 27, and November 11). It was my first time visiting the East sector and I spent several hours there.
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| Cactus waving "hello" |
I headed first to the Cactus Forest Loop, a one-way drive of about eight miles that takes you through the park and lets you see saguaros and other plant and animal life along the way. Many turnouts allow you to park and go on short walks or take in the view.
One such turnout is for the Desert Ecology Trail. If you have mobility-challenged people or young children in your group, this trail is paved and only a quarter-mile long. It’s a short loop, with several informational plaques that give a great overview of what can be seen in the Rincon Mountain District.
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| Along the Desert Ecology Trail |
Continuing my drive, I eventually arrived at the Loma Verde trailhead, my destination. After parking, I crossed a dry wash and then for the next 4 hours, hiked on the Squeeze Pen Trail, detoured onto the Carillo Trail before turning around, and took the Pink Hill Trail back to the Loma Verde Trail.
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| Trail markers |
Along the way, I saw numerous stands of saguaros of all sizes and shapes, including a rare cristate, or crested, saguaro. Saguaros can live up to 200 years. They’re a protected species in Arizona and it is a felony to dig them up or cut them down without a permit. A 2020 census of saguaros in the park revealed that the population is increasing; however, the cacti are experiencing negative effects due to the on-going drought in the Southwest and higher temperatures caused by climate change.
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| Crested saguaro along the Loma Verde Trail |
The Tohono O’odham people have lived in the Sonoran Desert for thousands of years and in their language, ha:sañ is the word for saguaro. The fruit of the cactus was an integral part of their diet and harvesting the fruit occurred before the monsoon rains. Special programs at the park teach visitors about traditional saguaro harvest customs.
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| Info about harvesting saguaro fruit |
The Visitor Center has driving and hiking maps available, as well as books, souvenirs, and other items whose purchase supports the National Parks. In addition, there’s an exhibition about the park with general information that may be helpful before you enter the park itself.
Outside, to the left of the Visitor Center, there’s a small garden with many cactus varieties; it’s worth a look because saguaros are not the only cacti in the park. On the other side of the visitor center, a pollinator garden presents information about animals that pollinate plants in the park.
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| Sign about the Pollinator Garden |
I greatly enjoyed my first visit to Saguaro National Park East. Although it took over an hour to get there, it won’t be the last time I go there. You can see more photos from my day in the park on my Instagram.
* All facts about saguaros and the park are from the Saguaro National Park website.
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