Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona, protects forests of the giant saguaro cactus, which grows up to 18 meters (60 feet) tall here. The area was designated a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 1994. It consists of two separate sections on either side of Tucson: the Tucson Mountain District to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. A saguaro usually grows its first arm at 50 to 70 years of age and can live up to 200 years.

In the western section, the Bajada Loop Drive is a graded dirt road of about 10 km (6 miles) with scenic pullouts, picnic areas and trailheads. High clearance or four-wheel drive is not needed. For RVs: vehicles wider than 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) and trailers or combinations of 12 meters (40 feet) or more are not permitted on the scenic loops. For sunset, Lonely Planet recommends the short Valley View Overlook (about 1.3 km or 0.8 miles round trip). The best time is spring, when the saguaros bloom; in summer temperatures often exceed 40°C (105°F).

For campers: overnight stays are not permitted in the western section, and the eastern section offers only backcountry campsites that you reach on foot and need a permit for. Plan your overnight stop outside the park.