Lodging

Budget

 • Congress Hotel. 311 E. Congress St., Tucson, AZ; Tel. (520) 622-8848. This historic hotel was the site of John Dillinger's arrest . The rooms are small, but have a funky, historic feel. In addition to regular rooms, you'll find a youth hostel -- but beware, the hostel rooms are over the dance floor.

Mid-range

 • Lodge on the Desert. 306 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ; Tel. (800) 456-5634. Founded in 1936 as a dude ranch on the   More...

Tucson

Tucson is the second-largest city in the state of Arizona, one of the United States of America. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, is has slightly cooler temperatures than its desert cousin, Phoenix. It is situated in the biologically diverse Sonoran Desert. With a population of 486,699 (2000 Census) in Tucson and 843,746 in the metro area,   More...

Lodging

There are no hotels located within the park, but numerous lodging options are available nearby in Tucson.

Camping

There are no organized campgrounds within either section of the park, although backcountry camping is allowed in Saguaro East.

Backcountry

Backcountry camping is allowed only in the six backcountry campgrounds of Saguaro East. These campgrounds are accessible only by foot or by horse, and are a minimum of six miles from the nearest trailhead. These six   More...

Getting In

Saguaro National Park area map

By car

Saguaro East (Rincon Mountain District)

When traveling on I-10 west towards Tucson, take the Houghton Road exit (exit 275) north to Escalante Road, then turn right, heading east to Old Spanish Trail. Follow the signs to the park. When arriving from the city of Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard (exit 257 on I-10) east to Freeman Road then take Freeman Road to Old Spanish Trail. Look for signs to the park entrance.

Saguaro West   More...

Getting Around

By car

A private vehicle is by far the easiest way to get around in either district of the park. No public transportation serves the park.

By bike

In the winter months a bike is an option for exploring the roads and some of the trails within the park; however, during the summer the weather can make exploration by bike a rather unpleasant experience.

 • Cactus Forest Loop Drive. An eight mile paved road in East Saguaro that is used by cars, bikes and   More...

Attractions

 • Sabino Canyon. Spectacular desert canyon cut into the south side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, now on Tucson's northern urban fringe.
 • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ; Tel. (520) 883-2702. More like Biosphere II than a walled institution, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden all in one Tucson attraction. From tarantulas to black bears, coyotes to scorpions, the   More...