Land of Liberty Explorers

Overview

The Saguaro Cactus is a universal symbol of the American West. Saguaro National Park preserves the saguaros and Sonoran Desert landscapes. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover used the Antiquities Act to create Saguaro National Monument in the Rincon Mountains on the east side of Tucson. President John Kennedy added the Tucson Mountain District to the monument in 1961. In 1994, the monument was elevated to national park status with the Tucson Mountain District on the west side of Saguaro and the Rincon Mountain District on the east side of Tucson, Arizona.

Saguaro Cacti

Saguaros are very slow growing cacti. In the first eight years of a saguaro’s life, it will only grow between 1 and 1.5 inches per year. Young saguaros are generally difficult to find because they grow under the protection of a nurse tree – like a palo verde or a mesquite tree. When a saguaro turns 35 years old, it begins to produce flowers. Saguaros start to grow arms when they are between 50 and 75 years old. Saguaros reach adulthood at age 125. They are generally thought to live between 150-175 years, but some cacti may be over 200 years old!

Tucson Mountain District

Desert Discovery Nature Trail

The Desert Discovery Nature is a paved accessible loop that is about .4 miles in length. It is near the Red Hills Visitor Center and gives park guests a nice introduction to the Sonoran Desert. There are several large saguaros on the trail too!

Bajada Loop Drive

The Bajada Loop Drive is 5.2 mile graded dirt road through the Tucson Mountain District. Several park attractions are located on the drive.

Signal Hill

Signal Hill contains a large collection of petroglyphs.

Valley View Overlook Trail

This is a great little trail through the desert. At only .8 miles long, it meanders through all types of cacti.

Rincon Mountain District

Cactus Forest Loop Drive

The 8 mile loop that begins at the Visitor Center is a fun way to explore the Rincon Mountain District.

Desert Ecology Trail

This quarter mile trail is paved and accessible. Along the trail, signs describe various plants to hikers to introduce them to the “Sonoran neighborhood.”