Where the Saguaros Live

Saguaro cacti in evening, Saguaro National Park.

 As a kid, I remember watching cartoons such as Bugs Bunny and Road Runner and seeing the "coat hanger" type cactus depicted throughout their scenes.  Were there any other types?  Not in Toonville!

And it is no surprise - such a majestic cactus is an attention drawer and the epitome of the southwest landscape (maybe because of those cartoons).  The reality is that they are NOT very common at all.  In fact, their only existence is within the Sonoran Desert, mostly in Mexico and only a small part of southern Arizona.  California lays official claim to approximately 30 of this species.

So, where to go to see and photograph these beautiful tree-like icons?  Saguaro National Park near Tucson offers the perfect landing spot!  This national park was designed in 1933 to help protect the species and its habitat.  It's a unique national park in that it is so close to the city of Tucson and divided into sections, with the city itself being the divider!

Saguaro cacti in evening, Saguaro National Park.

Both sections of the park and have something to offer and both should be visited as they are only about 30 minutes apart driving.

Saguaro National Park East, Rincon Mountain District is closest to Tucson.  It sports the paved 8-mile Cactus Forest Loop drive with many pullouts for further exploration on foot.  This road provides many different viewing opportunities along the way, with each section seeming to offer something new.  Whether it is up-close views of cacti, diverse fauna scenes or panorama views of the Rincon Mountains and distant Tucson, the scenes are ever changing.

I have found this district of the park excellent for capturing more intimate shots of the fauna and sporting much diversity of the many species of cacti together.  Prickly Pears and Chollas abound amongst the Saguaros!

I've also found it to be the much the less crowded of the two districts.

Saguaros in evening, Saguaro National
Park.

If you are hoping to catch sight of a snake or two from a safe distance, drive the Cactus Forest Loop in late afternoon.  In my experience, this is the best time to discover snakes basking on the warm black top or simply slowly crossing the road in their unhurried manner.  If you see a line in the road ahead, slow down - it's likely a snake!

Saguaro National Park West, Tucson Mountain District is much different, yet with many similarities.  While I consider Saguaro East to offer more accessible up-close compositions of fauna, Saguaro West offers forests of Saguaros against the impressive landscape of the Tucson Mountains.  The views from the Visitor Center itself are impressive.  Add to it the Bajada Loop Drive, a popular 6-mile graded dirt road thru fantastic groves of Saguaro cacti, and you will understand its popularity.  It also offers some fantastic hiking opportunities, with arguably the best hike being King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak (made into a loop by descending the Hugh Norris Trail back to the Esperanza Trail cut-off back to King Canyon).

Gates Pass Scenic Overlook is a nearby attraction in Tucson Mountain Park that offers amazing sunset views.  No need to drive out of your way.  If coming from Tucson, you will drive over this pass on your way to Saguaro West!  Watch for a turnout sign to your right along Gates Pass Road.  Also, get there early for a parking spot!

Cholla Teddy Bear cacti in Saguaro
National Park.

Other nearby attractions are Old Tucson Studios, where MANY movies have been filmed over the years - some that might surprise you.  And the excellent Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

While very popular (read crowded!) for its access to water as well as scenery, Sabino Canyon offers excellent hiking options and a tram that runs year-round up the 3.8 mile paved road.  This road attracts all audiences, from hikers to runners to cyclists.

For excellent hiking options, look at the Telephone Line Trail, which runs high above the canyon for excellent views, or the trail up Bear Canyon to Seven Falls.  Both are accessible from the Sabino Canyon parking lot (or overflow lot if arriving mid-morning or later on a popular day).

If visiting Sabino Canyon, I recommend purchasing your parking pass online beforehand as internet access is sketchy at the parking lot.  My first visit I tried three different times to purchase the pass from my phone, each time failing to receive a confirmation.  The screen just hung.  Later that day I returned to my hotel to see I had received (3) payment confirmation emails!

Photography Advise

I like to visit Saguaro East in the mornings for scenes like the backlit Teddy Bear Cholla on this page and similar scenes of other cacti just off the loop road.  It's easy to find several different species grouped together for interesting compositions.  I've found evening visits to be more challenging due to the stronger lighting and its angle.

Late afternoons and evenings are great for visiting Saguaro West.  Drive the Bajada Loop mid-afternoon to look for compositions to return to later.  Don't forget to check out the Valley View Trail.

The King Canyon Trail offers excellent opportunities as well.  The well-signed trailhead is just across from the museum, which offers lots of overflow parking if the trailhead parking if full (and almost as convenient).

Don't forget to snoop around the visitor center as well for some nice late afternoon compositions.  It offers a nature trail as well as two separate balcony platforms for your viewing pleasure.

Saguaro Cacti at sunset from Gates Pass.

Gates Pass Scenic Overlook is excellent for sunset if you have an interesting sky, or for views nonetheless!  Get there a little before and you can pull in compositions of Saguaros in excellent light on the surrounding hills with a zoom lens, such as the image to the left.  There is also an interesting pullout just below the pass on the other side, though not offering sunset view that Gates Pass offers.

One of the beautiful things about this area is that it is available year-round, though I would avoid the hot months!  I've done many hikes and photography in February.  April brings the wildflowers, which last into May.  May offers cactus blooms, with the Saguaro typically reaching peak in mid to late May.

Lenses

My go-to lenses were my 24-70mm and 70-200mm.  Both were used extensively.  I'm not saying you couldn't find use for a wide-angle lens, but mine never left my bag.  Now if attempting night sky photography, that would be a different story (understand Saguaro East is only open from sunrise to sunset - don't get trapped on the wrong side of the gate!).

Guides

Obviously, there is a lot available on the internet.  Besides that, publications I found very useful were:

• Photographing the Southwest, Volume 2, by Laurent Martres.
• Tucson - 38 Spectacular Hikes Around Old Pueblo, by Rob Rachowiecki.
• 100 Classic Hikes - Arizona, by Scott Warren.

I hope to have these images and more included on my website www.mountainscenes.com soon.  You can also visit my Facebook page for current news and events.

I hope some of this information helps you in planning your visit!  As always, thanks for looking.  Hope to see you on the trail!