Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park The Saguaro cactus only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. Rincon Mountain (East) District: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson Mountain (West): 2700 N.

Kinney Road

If you're looking for the official source of information about Saguaro National Park please visit our homepage at www.nps.gov/sagu

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Hey there peccaries, you don’t have-t’-leave-a so early anymore! Starting later this week, you can hit the snooze button...
09/27/2026

Hey there peccaries, you don’t have-t’-leave-a so early anymore! Starting later this week, you can hit the snooze button again!

On October 1st, Saguaro National Park will revert to winter hours. Both Visitor Centers will be open from 9am to 5pm. The trails remain open 24hrs a day & the roads are open from dawn to dusk.

09/21/2026

Ever wonder why you’re not seeing those cool critters everyone is talking about during the daytime? It’s because they’re asleep! When the sun goes down, the desert dwellers come to life.

In the warmer time of the year, most of the wildlife has made a slight adjustment to their schedule. Instead of coming out in the blazing sun, they choose to enjoy the nicer temperatures of the evening under a moonlit sky; not a bad idea! Larger mammals are on the search of their next meal while smaller insects are using the lit-up sky to figure out where they’re going.

While the nighttime desert is beautiful, visibility is limited and animal behaviors and weather patterns can be unpredictable, which is why we should always think of safety first! It is always important to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Be sure to always keep a light source with you and watch your step!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger in a green polo walking on the desert floor in the dark. Scene cuts to a medium shot the same ranger standing in front of a prickly pear cactus. Clip cuts to a handheld shot of the ranger with photos of a javelina and coyote appearing. Scene returns to the medium shot of the ranger with a clip of a tarantula up close and another of a darker tarantula walking away. Clip cuts to a shot of the ranger in front of an insect-covered tent with a blacklight while showing a grasshopper on the back of her head. Scene changes to a moving shot of small insects on the tent lit up by the blacklight. Clip returns to the medium shot of the ranger in front of the insect tent followed by a daytime shot of a butterfly on some scrub. Scene returns to previous medium shot and then pans from the bottom of a saguaro to the top. Clip changes to another handheld shot of the ranger followed by a full shot of the ranger walking into the frame holding a red light. A shot of two scorpions glowing under a black light is shown before returning to a hand-held clip of the ranger turning on a small flashlight.]

09/14/2026

Something something dry heat.

The Tucson Mountain District (West Side) of Saguaro National Park was hit by another down pour this weekend. The roads along the loop drive were once again wiped out. Due to the road damage, Saguaro National Park has issued the following Closure Order:

"Pursuant to Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 1.5(a)(1), the following areas are closed to public use:
• Hohokam Road, between Hugh Norris Trail Head and Golden Gate Road in the Tucson Mtn District of Saguaro National Park. This section of road is closed to all use beginning Friday, September 11, until reopened. The closure is a result of road damage due to flash flooding in desert washes crossing the road. Signs are in place to inform visitors of the closure. The closure will be lifted when the road is repaired, the area is safe to reenter, and the signs are removed.
• Golden Gate Road between Signal Hill Junction and Sandaro Esperanza in the Tucson Mtn District of Saguaro National. This section of road is closed while crew's complete road repairs beginning Friday, September 11, until reopened. The closure is a result of road damage due to flash flooding on the road. Signs are in place to inform visitors of the closure. The closure will be lifted when the road is repaired, the area is safe to reenter, and the signs are removed.
_______________________________
Kelly Fuhrmann,
Superintendent
September 11, 2026"
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Video Description: Horizontal video, starting with a static view of a large dam made of brown and tan stone. The dam sits along a wide desert wash. Dirty, opaque, brown water rushes over the damn and down the wash. The camera slowly pans left to follow the rushing water as it flows onward into the desert. The sides of the wash are lined with lush, green, desert vegetation as well as large rocks and boulders. In the distance are several small to medium hills covered in Sonoran vegetation. The sky above is a dull blue and grey, with thick storm clouds.

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who love working outdoors and learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem! As part...
09/10/2026

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who love working outdoors and learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem! As part of our team, you’ll help protect the natural resources of Saguaro National Park. This position will focus on wildfire fuel reduction through invasive plant management.
Our crew typically works four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday. No specific prior skills are required — just an interest in the natural world, a positive attitude, and experience working or recreating outdoors in high-temperature environments.

While invasive plant management will be the primary focus, you’ll have opportunities to support a variety of other resource projects as needs arise. Cross-training may include:
- Boundary fence maintenance and wildlife-friendly retrofits
- Riparian and rare plant surveys
- Wildlife camera monitoring
- Saguaro monitoring

If you’re passionate about conservation and eager to gain hands-on experience in desert ecology, we’d love to have you on the team! You can learn more about this position on the Next Generation Rangers page of our website (https://www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/next-generation-ranger-corps.htm). The position is managed and paid for by Friends of Saguaro National Park.

To apply or request more information, send your resume or questions to us at [email protected]

09/02/2026

Sorry to BUG you, but this is the time of year that a lot of those creepy crawly critters are out and about, and you might just encounter one! But do not fear; Ranger Summer talks about how these insects are essential to our desert ecosystems. They can be pollinators, food sources, or even decomposers and still help hold everything in the desert together.

We understand that it may be unsettling and oftentimes startling to come across an unfamiliar insect. However, it is very important to stay aware of your surroundings for both your safety and the safety of the critters around you!

Remember- insects are a huge part of our ecosystem, so remember to be kind and keep your distance!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger with long hair and a green polo walking through trail next to a mountainous desert landscape. Scene cuts to a shot of a black and orange wasp walking around on the ground full of rocks and dry scrub. Scene cuts to a clip of a small orange beetle on top of a purple flower. A clip of the same ranger is shown from a medium shot under a Palo Verde tree in front of a mountainous desert scenery. Scene cuts to a closer handheld perspective of the ranger walking on a desert trail. Scene changes to an up-close shot of a small lizard hiding under some sticks before quickly running away. Scene returns to a medium shot of the ranger in front of some mountains with some sticks in the foreground. Scene changes to shot that pans from bottom to top of an animal’s bone with some old flesh. Scene changes to a slightly angled handheld shot of the ranger along a trail.]

The majority of the Bajada Loop Drive (both Hohokam Rd and Golden Gate Rd) in Tucson Mountain District is closed due to ...
08/31/2026

The majority of the Bajada Loop Drive (both Hohokam Rd and Golden Gate Rd) in Tucson Mountain District is closed due to debris from severe storms. Crews are working to resolve the issue; however, expect closures to continue into the rest of the week. More storms are expected in the coming days.

Sand and debris have also spilled onto parts of Sandario Rd. but are passable with caution.

Gates Pass Rd, southeast of the park, is also experiencing delays. Visit https://www.pima.gov/898 for information on Pima County Road closures.

07/30/2026

NextGen Spotlight Series: Freddy Fernandez-Ramirez joined the NextGen Program in 2015, after volunteering at Saguaro National Park. He was part of the first NextGen class gaining experience in Interpretation, Fee Collection and Visitor Services while also working at Food City and attending Pima Community College. Freddy left school to focus on raising a family and pursuing a career with the National Park Service. He has been a Park Guide at Saguaro National Park for the past ten years. His volunteer experience, NextGen Internship and college education prepared him for this role where he leads Interpretive Programs and connects visitors to the Park. Come visit Saguaro National Park's Tucson Mountain District Visitor Center to see Ranger Freddy during his new Sonoran Desert Bingo Program!

07/25/2026

Monsoon season is now officially in full swing! These beautiful storms bring out all sorts of wildlife, more shades of green than you’d expect from a desert, that refreshing smell of the creosote bushes, and dark storm clouds that beautifully compliment the landscape of the surrounding mountains. However, these mighty storms come at a cost. They also bring strong winds, dust storms, lightning, and flash flooding which can be deadly if not treated with caution; take Ranger Summer’s word for it.

Be aware of the weather; while it may appear sunny during one part of the day, the storms can build quickly! If you can see lightning, that means the storm is close and you should seek shelter immediately. Avoid high points like ridgelines, as well as low points like a dry riverbed. Powerful thunderstorms can bring a ton of rain all at once, this can cause flash floods which can damage anything in its path. Stay away from flood zones and stay alive!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger with long hair and a green polo holding a small square microphone, walking through a mountainous desert landscape. Scene cuts to a full shot of the same ranger standing behind a bush in a desert landscape with mountains in the background with the shot alternating between other clips of a rainstorm over a desert landscape and a time lapse of storm clouds rolling in with pouring rain. Scene cuts to a clip of a medium shot of the ranger standing in front of a creosote bush. A clip of the ranger’s hands cupping a piece of the plant is shown before returning to the previous shot of the ranger holding the plant and breathing into her hands. Scene changes to a shot of the ranger on the ground with small plants nearby and briefly cuts to a shot of a small hole in the ground that the ranger is pointing at. Scene changes to closer shot of the ranger walking through the desert landscape with rocks and mountains in the background. Scene changes to a full shot of the ranger in a wash full of sand with trees along the side. Scene changes to the ranger in front of a silver car and clicks car keys at the end of shot.]

07/08/2026

It’s warming up here at Saguaro! Take Ranger Summer’s advice and don’t underestimate the intensity of the dry heat! If you do decide to go outside in the park this summer, remember to bring enough sun protection, stay hydrated, and plan your outdoor activities for a reasonable time.

[Video description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger with long hair and a green polo walking on a paved path through a desert landscape. Scene cuts to a clip of the same ranger in a similar angle under the bright sun with mountains in the background. Scene cuts to a clip of a medium shot of the ranger wearing a backpack and standing under a mesquite tree as she puts on a trucker hat and sunglasses. Scene cuts to a closer shot of the ranger in a hat and sunglasses carrying a backpack through a desert landscape. Scene cuts to a medium shot of the ranger in a hat next to a dirt trail under a mesquite tree holding up a green water bottle followed by a bag of almonds before walking away to the right of the frame.]

Congratulations to everyone who was able to participate in Saguaro National Park’s 16th annual Naturalization Ceremony t...
07/06/2026

Congratulations to everyone who was able to participate in Saguaro National Park’s 16th annual Naturalization Ceremony this weekend! Saturday, we had the honor of welcoming 15 new citizens, hailing from 3 different countries!

Thank you for continuing the American spirit and adding to the melting pot. In Arizona, we melt together quickly 🫠❤️ 🌵

Address

3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ
85730

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15207335153

Website

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