The Adventures of Suze

If you were asked to draw a picture of the desert, I’m guessing you would include a saguaro cactus in that drawing – they’re an iconic symbol of the desert and the southwest. I was very excited to see them up close once we got to Saguaro National Park. I love that we have a whole national park dedicated to them! We visited the park in mid-May and were lucky enough to see the saguaros in bloom. Did you know that saguaros are Arizona’s state flower?

The park is split into two districts; to the east is the Rincon Mountain District and to the west is the Tucson Mountain District. Both are equally beautiful and if you are in the area, I would highly recommend visiting both! They are about an hour apart. When we went, I was surprised by the lack of people we saw on the trails! I’m guessing in cooler months it may be more busy, but it was a very quiet, peaceful park.

Most of the trails are fairly easy, there isn’t too much elevation gain in the park, which makes this a fun places for people of all abilities to hike. Some areas are dog-friendly and there are some campgrounds and picnic areas as well.

Important reminder: Most, if not all, of the trails are fully exposed to the desert sun. Please make sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or other protective clothing.

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𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: May 2026

Sequoia 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: October 14, 1994

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Tucson, Arizona

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 F𝐞𝐞: $15-$25, or use the America the Beautiful annual pass

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Hike Recommendations:

• Easy Hikes
  • Mica View Trail (Rincon Mountain District) – A mostly paved, compacted dirt trail with an abundance of plant life and towering saguaros. Keep an eye out for quail and lizards! 
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 1.4 miles, 52 ft. elevation gain
    • Wheelchair and stroller accessible
    • Dogs allowed (on leash)
    • Bathrooms available
  • Desert Discovery Nature Trail (Tucson Mountain District) – Short, flat and paved, this half mile trail is perfect for hikers of all ages and abilities!
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 0.4 miles, 16 ft. elevation gain
    • Wheelchair and stroller accessible
    • Dogs allowed (on leash)
  • Signal Hill Petroglyphs (Tucson Mountain District) – Some stairs are required, which may be difficult for some, but if able, it’s worth it to see the petroglyphs!
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 0.3 miles, 26 ft. elevation gain
• Moderate Hikes
  • Freeman Homestead Nature Trail (Rincon Mountain District) – This was easy for me, but I put it as moderate due to terrain that may be more difficult for some (stairs, loose rocks and stones). Great views and lots of interesting flora.
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 1 mile, 108 ft. elevation gain
  • Wild Dog Trail (Tucson Mountain District) – Out and back trail that really gets you immersed with the saguaros! Incredible valley views. Again, the terrain may make it harder for some hikers than others.
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 1.9 miles, 187 ft. elevation gain
• Hard Hikes
  • Sendero-Esperanza to the Ridgeline (Tucson Mountain District) – This was a moderate trail for me, but with the heat and terrain, some may find it hard. Lots of wildlife (rabbits, deer, birds, lizards) and incredible views from the ridgeline. If you want to make it harder, you can extend the hike to Wasson Peak!
    • Click here for AllTrails
    • 3.62 miles, 620 ft. elevation gain

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Things to see and do in and near the park

• Drive the scenic loops – Both sides of the park have scenic drives and both are less than 10 miles long. The scenic drive through the Rincon Mountain District is fully paved but the scenic drive through the Tucson Mountain District is mostly dirt and bumpy. It’s accessible for all vehicle types, but I’d feel a little nervous in a sedan, so take it slow!
• Check out all the overlooks – They are all beautiful, but Javelina Rocks was our favorite
• Arizona-Senoroa Desert Museum – We didn’t get a chance to stop here, but it’s right outside the park and I heard great things about it!
• Make sure to stop at one of the visitor centers!

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Lodging suggestions: 

• The Kennedy Hotel – We loved this property!
  • This is a charming hotel with retro vibes in Tucson that is perfectly in the middle of the two sides of Saguaro National Park. From the hotel, it takes 30 minutes to drive to either side of the park, which made it the ideal location for us!
  • Our room was spacious with very comfortable beds, an updated bathroom and full kitchenette. The kitchenette came in handy for all of our food, storing our snacks and supplies, and filling up our water bladders for hiking everyday. It’s a nice option if you are planning a longer stay. They also have guest laundry and a gym available.
  • If you are traveling with kids, they have a playground on site! They also have two small barbecues for guests who want to grill during their stay. If you are traveling with your furry friends, they also have a small dog park!
  • The pool is wonderful and ranges from 3 feet deep to 8 feet deep, making it perfect for people of all ages. They have plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas around the pool and supply towels as well. Honestly, it was great relaxing by the pool after a long day of hiking!
  • Breakfast is complimentary everyday from 7-10 AM. It’s a modest spread, but it was yummy and filling. Besides breakfast, they have a lobby marketplace selling snacks and beverages.
  • One of my favorite features was the free arcade! It’s a great way to pass the time and make memories with your travel companions.
  • Another thing we enjoyed was the gated parking lot; you could sleep well at night knowing your vehicle was safe and sound.
  • The location was convenient – we were able to visit the national park and many different neighborhoods of Tucson all within 30 minutes or less.
  • If you are interested in staying here, visit https://www.thekennedyhotel.com/ to read more about the property and to make a reservation!

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Things to see and do in and near Tucson:

• Mercado San Agustin Annex – If you like shopping and food, this is a must do! It’s an open air market with different small businesses in storage containers. Businesses include things like bookstores, gift shops, clothing stores and some eateries!
• Chiricahua National Monument – Technically this is a two hour drive from Tucson, but it’s completely worth the time. The rock formations are so unique and if you’re lucky, you might see a coati!
• Sunset at Windy Point (Mt. Lemmon) – Mt. Lemmon is a “sky island”, meaning it’s an isolated mountain in the middle of desert. When you make the drive, you’ll ascend through different environments. It makes for a stunning drive. Windy Point is an excellent spot for sunset!

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Suggestions on food/drinks/shop:

• Seis Kitchen – A delicious Mexican spot in Mercado San Agustin with open air seating. Get the Birria Costra Tacos and thank me later!
• Sonoran House – I loved this restaurant! It had a ton of charm, tons of options for food and drinks, and a cafe. They also sell beer and wine to go, and have a whole section of gifts!
• Moto Sonora Brewing Co. – We loved this brewery! I got a flight of 6 beers. Their Road Trip American Light was excellent!
• Maico Restaurant Mexican Food – A small hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great take out. I got a massive breakfast burrito here.
• Barrio Brewing Co. – This is Arizona’s oldest brewery! We had to stop here to check it out.

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Saguaro National Park is beautiful! I feel like we made a good dent in exploring the park but there is always more to see and do so I would definitely make a return trip in the future. I also really loved Tucson and would like to go back to see more of the city. It’s the perfect area to get outside but have some modern amenities, like breweries, shops, etc., nearby! I hope this helps you plan your trip there!

📍I acknowledge the lands mentioned in this post are the ancestral lands of the Pima and Tohono O’odham people.