Visiting Saguaro National Park West in Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro National Park West, located in Tucson, Arizona, is a great day-trip destination for those wanting to see more of Arizona. The park, which covers over 91,000 acres, is home to one of the most iconic plants of the American Southwest: the saguaro cactus.

Visitors to the park can explore the diverse desert landscape on foot or by car along the scenic drives. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes. The trails wind through the park’s stunning scenery, offering views of towering saguaros, rocky hillsides, and even some petroglyphs.

Saguaro National Park is divided by the city of Tucson and are 40+ minutes from each other. While you can visit both in one day, we recommend staying the night so you can spend one day exploring each side.

In addition to hiking, visitors can also take guided tours, attend ranger-led talks, and participate in educational programs. The park’s visitor center is a great place to start, offering exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history, as well as maps and information on park programs.

Seeing Petroglyphs

If you are wanting to see these 800-year old petroglyphs up close, you’ll need to hike Signal Hill Trail by starting from the Signal Hill Picnic Area. You’ll see this rock formation early on along the hill and can even spot some petroglyphs.

This trail is an easy hike with steps leading up to the top. You can see tons of saguaro cactus while up here as well!

Overall, Saguaro National Park West is worth the visit. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a scenic drive, the park offers something for everyone.

Camping

There is no camping allowed in the west side of Saguaro National Park. However, there are campsites in the east side for those wanting to stay within the park.

If you are more flexible with a campsite, we recommend using the app The Dyrt (it’s free!) to find a spot that fits your needs. Jon and I were able to find a dispersed BLM site (also for free!) in which to car camp. Luckily, there are many places close to the park.

Tucson Excursions

Check out these top-rated Tucson adventures while you’re at Saguaro. If you book an excursion through these links, I get a commission. So thank you!

2 Week American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary

If you are thinking of road-tripping through the American Southwest, check out our itinerary below and learn more about each place in our Ultimate Southwest USA Road Trip post.

Day 1 – 2: Joshua Tree National Park
Day 3 – 4: Grand Canyon National Park
Day 5: Monument Valley
Day 6 – 8: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Day 9: Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 10 – 12: Zion National Park
Day 13 – 14: Las Vegas and Valley of Fire State Park