Saguaro National Park

Several kinds of cacti grow at Saguaro National Park.

Stately saguaro cacti.

Since 1933, Saguaro National Park has preserved the extraordinary giant saguaro cactus, along with the birds, animals and other plants that share the Sonoran Desert.

Though it is one of the hottest and driest regions on the continent, the Sonoran Desert surpasses all other North American deserts in its lushness and variety of life.

The 91,445-acre park is divided into two sections, west and east of Tucson. Saguaro West embraces a wide variety of Sonoran Desert life against the backdrop of the Tucson Mountains. Saguaro East encompasses an aging saguaro forest at the foot of the Rincon Mountains.

Both have information centers, activities, scenic drives, hiking trails and picnic spots. There are campgrounds in Coronado National Forest, which surrounds Saguaro East on three sides.

About 128 miles of trails wind through Saguaro East. The quarter-mile Desert Ecology Trail, located along Cactus Forest Drive, explains water's role in the desert. Many other trails along the scenic drive are suitable for short hikes into the desert.

Several longer trails penetrate the vast wilderness of the Rincon Mountains and their foothills. Horseback riding is permitted on most trails. Camping is allowed only at designated backcountry sites and a permit is required.

Bikes are not allowed on any park trails except a portion of the Cactus Forest Trail.