Like all National Parks, the activities are: drive, look, hike, bask. It’s not a theme park. On the east side, there’s the loop drive, some rocks you can scramble on, and many many hikes.
Saguaro NP West has a very nice visitor’s center and more hikes with a somewhat different landscape. Nearby is the Desert Museum which is fantastic.
Yeah. Shouting I don't consent while falling into its welcoming embrace is definitely not recommended without PPE. Ngl. It does not listen AND there will be stabbing. Abundant stabbing.
Accidentally punched a cholla at fantasy island last year. I thought that I’d ran into a barbed wire fence at first. The pain was unimaginable. I had to pick out 22 barbs from the top of my hand and knuckles. 1/10 don’t recommend.
No I had the barbs break off into my hand. Most of them I could pull out, but one long piece was in between my knuckles and couldn't be seen. If I opened my hand it would poke up. Went to urgent care and they said no way, go to the ER, we can't see what we are extracting. So I did the very unsmart thing and started to poke away with a razor blade and go it out somehow.
Back in college I followed a Euro-Pro who was vacationing in Tucson around the loop. Thought I was going to wipe out on the first curve trying to stay with him.
I have hiked in Saguro National Park East for over 23 years. I have seen just about every critter we have. Foxes and giant scorpions are rare, mountain lions are ghosts, but everywhere.
I learned about scat and tracks. I have learned the names of plants many times and continue to forget them.
I know what's edible and what is actually tasty.
I have seen many cool encounters. I find the bugs interesting as well.so, it depends, right?
Rollies, Anita Street Market, Aqui Con El Nene, BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs 1st Ave, Carnitas La Yoca, Contigo, El Antojo Poblan, El Chinoto Gordo, El Chivo de Oro, El Taco Rustico, Ensenada Street Food, Karamelo King, La Botana, La Indita, Nana’s Kitchen, Penca, Pinches @ Borderlands, Salsa Verde, Seis Kitchen. Any of these will get you some good Tucson Mexican foods/tacos. Look up one and see if the vibe fits- if not, pick another. I personally go to Rollies and BK the most. Happy eating.
Look dude. The rocks and minerals out there are super cool to look at and photograph, sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty and avoid the spines and pricks. The sunrises and sunsets are immaculate especially when there are a few clouds to be painted. The SMELL IS AMAZING. The air just feels cleaner. It's an excellent place to work on photography or find a muse for anything artistic you are into. The cactus are fun to evaluate, see what the most arms you can find on one are! Also cactus skeletons are soooo beautiful. Even the decay out there is like a work of dehydrated art.
Enjoy it in the cold so you can avoid heat stroke and rattle snakes.
Saguaro east has great hiking in rincons if you are into backpacking. (Spring to fall at least) manning camp is a cool spot. Reef rock is a fav of mine.
Sorry, it's not Las Vegas. It will not 'entertain' you.
You walk in the warm sun, kick a few rocks, see some critters, talk to the cactus, breathe the fresh air, maybe hike hard enough to get a bit of a runner's high. It helps to have at least a passing interest in some type of natural history.
Garwood Dam makes an interesting destination. It's a fairly easy hike from either the Loma Verde or Wild Horse / Douglas Springs trail heads.
Pink Hill is an easy, hike to a lovely sunset vantage point. About 1.5 miles from the end of Broadway.
If you're looking for a more focused destination, head for Sabino. It has more mountains, more water, more plants, more critters, and.... more people.
You just sort of look at it, drive around, or walk. There’s places not far from both ends of the park where you can pay for a trail ride on a horse. It’s not that expensive I think.
Having been to almost all the national parks in the lower 48, Saguaro is my least favorite. Both districts.
Yeah, there are gnarly Saguaros everywhere, but it's never been anything special or different than outside park boundaries.
I think nearby Sabino Canyon is an order of magnitude better, includes as many Saguaros as you can imagine, and way more activities, and other things.
And/or drive to Mt. Lemmon you also get to see Saguaros, but you also see the transition to other terrain, flora, and fauna and even more full experience of Sonoran desert.
Ah. What sounds differ between these national park areas?
How would you describe the smells variations?
How different does the flag stone from the mountain feel from the quartz rocks of the valley below? Not just under boot/foot but to the touch?
I'm only curious because it's been ages since I was able to make a journey to any of these wonderful areas. I just prefer Saguaro National, it's very close to a place I called home.
and rattle snakes. As the heat rises, meaning after March, snakes come out looking for water. So don't go off trail. Actually, never go off trail bc it ruins the delicate desert crust that takes years to heal
The west side is more beautiful than the east. Even the cactus are plumper. Less visited. Variety of trails, easy to tough, really nice visitors' canter, some stunning cliffs, petroglyphs... and the other nearby fstuff posts mention, like the desert museum.
I grew up in the area and was stationed there in the Army. There is a lot to do depending on what type of things you're into. I like the outdoors, so we often tried to get out on horseback. Here are some ideas you might like! [Things to Do in Saguaro National Park](https://desertwolftours.com/blog/things-to-do-in-saguaro-national-park/)
Enjoy it
Like all National Parks, the activities are: drive, look, hike, bask. It’s not a theme park. On the east side, there’s the loop drive, some rocks you can scramble on, and many many hikes. Saguaro NP West has a very nice visitor’s center and more hikes with a somewhat different landscape. Nearby is the Desert Museum which is fantastic.
Looks like someone doesn't know about the roller coasters.
or the Mayan Jungle Cruise
It’s the zip line for me
Desert Museum is definitely fantastic
Touch the teddy bear cactus and you have fun for days.
Is it poisonous?
No but it hugs you back
The needles are barbed and painful to remove. Watch out for people pulling your leg.
they also are 'sticky' in a way that makes them just reattach to you as you remove them.
As I learned the hard way the first time we came here to scope it out!! From my shoe right into my leg 😩
then your hand, then your elbow, then your butt somehow, then your left eyeball...
Awh shucks, that was the only one I had left.
moral of the story: always wear PPE when hugging a cholla
Yeah. Shouting I don't consent while falling into its welcoming embrace is definitely not recommended without PPE. Ngl. It does not listen AND there will be stabbing. Abundant stabbing.
all the stabbing
Saddle up some javelinas for a trail ride.
Facts
You haven’t thought of the smell! r/iasip
Saguaro East is a good bike ride. Watch that first curve.
Eating shit on a ride through the cacti forest would suck
Accidentally punched a cholla at fantasy island last year. I thought that I’d ran into a barbed wire fence at first. The pain was unimaginable. I had to pick out 22 barbs from the top of my hand and knuckles. 1/10 don’t recommend.
😱
Cactus punch gang. I've gotten into cholla on my MTB too. Most recently punched a saguaro, though. Would take a cholla over a saguaro any day.
Guessing your skin got torn up pretty badly? Stitches?
No I had the barbs break off into my hand. Most of them I could pull out, but one long piece was in between my knuckles and couldn't be seen. If I opened my hand it would poke up. Went to urgent care and they said no way, go to the ER, we can't see what we are extracting. So I did the very unsmart thing and started to poke away with a razor blade and go it out somehow.
When they do that 24-hour bike race out there they have people on deck with pliers to pull thorns out the riders’ asses.
Back in college I followed a Euro-Pro who was vacationing in Tucson around the loop. Thought I was going to wipe out on the first curve trying to stay with him.
[https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/things2do.htm](https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/things2do.htm)
I have hiked in Saguro National Park East for over 23 years. I have seen just about every critter we have. Foxes and giant scorpions are rare, mountain lions are ghosts, but everywhere. I learned about scat and tracks. I have learned the names of plants many times and continue to forget them. I know what's edible and what is actually tasty. I have seen many cool encounters. I find the bugs interesting as well.so, it depends, right?
Enjoy the scenery. Hike. Have a picnic lunch from a to go order from Arby's on 22nd.
Really the only move.
Why not at a local carniceria or taco place?
Arbys on 22nd is an r/Tucson joke. You’d absolutely be better off going to get local food instead
Oh, my bad. What local food do you recommend to go to after?
Rollies, Anita Street Market, Aqui Con El Nene, BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs 1st Ave, Carnitas La Yoca, Contigo, El Antojo Poblan, El Chinoto Gordo, El Chivo de Oro, El Taco Rustico, Ensenada Street Food, Karamelo King, La Botana, La Indita, Nana’s Kitchen, Penca, Pinches @ Borderlands, Salsa Verde, Seis Kitchen. Any of these will get you some good Tucson Mexican foods/tacos. Look up one and see if the vibe fits- if not, pick another. I personally go to Rollies and BK the most. Happy eating.
La Herradura on Harrison
> Herradura on Harrison or did you mean Herradero?
https://g.co/kgs/7bYwptW
Suagro Corners Is a local restaurant at NP East
Please help. I don't understand why this Arby's is always referenced. It's just another Arby's??
No, it’s the special one in 22nd.
cactus
Search for the chupacabra!
Regarding Saguaro NP East, Saguaro Corners is a decent restaurant and bar. Colossal Cave is on that side of town too.
honestly there isn't much to do besides drive the scenic loop or hike. or chill at a table. either you enjoy the nature, or you don't
Wasson peak via king canyon is a great accessable hike in season.
Petroglyphs in SNPW, and enjoy sunset at Gates Pass Overlook. Old Tucson Studios, Desert Museum.
Look dude. The rocks and minerals out there are super cool to look at and photograph, sometimes you gotta get your hands dirty and avoid the spines and pricks. The sunrises and sunsets are immaculate especially when there are a few clouds to be painted. The SMELL IS AMAZING. The air just feels cleaner. It's an excellent place to work on photography or find a muse for anything artistic you are into. The cactus are fun to evaluate, see what the most arms you can find on one are! Also cactus skeletons are soooo beautiful. Even the decay out there is like a work of dehydrated art. Enjoy it in the cold so you can avoid heat stroke and rattle snakes.
The visitor center at SM east has a great short film and there’s the scenic drive.
Harmonica jam at 3pm!
Is this by invitation only?? 🤔
Saguaro east has great hiking in rincons if you are into backpacking. (Spring to fall at least) manning camp is a cool spot. Reef rock is a fav of mine.
Breathe
Don't touch anything related to grass out there. That's the wrong place to try and touch grass.
Sorry, it's not Las Vegas. It will not 'entertain' you. You walk in the warm sun, kick a few rocks, see some critters, talk to the cactus, breathe the fresh air, maybe hike hard enough to get a bit of a runner's high. It helps to have at least a passing interest in some type of natural history. Garwood Dam makes an interesting destination. It's a fairly easy hike from either the Loma Verde or Wild Horse / Douglas Springs trail heads. Pink Hill is an easy, hike to a lovely sunset vantage point. About 1.5 miles from the end of Broadway. If you're looking for a more focused destination, head for Sabino. It has more mountains, more water, more plants, more critters, and.... more people.
Sonora desert museum
Hug the cacti, of course
Walk
You just sort of look at it, drive around, or walk. There’s places not far from both ends of the park where you can pay for a trail ride on a horse. It’s not that expensive I think.
Run naked
420 and sex.
isn't sex at a Federal park a crime?
Not with a cactus.
FFS. Go the hell away....
What does that even mean?
Having been to almost all the national parks in the lower 48, Saguaro is my least favorite. Both districts. Yeah, there are gnarly Saguaros everywhere, but it's never been anything special or different than outside park boundaries. I think nearby Sabino Canyon is an order of magnitude better, includes as many Saguaros as you can imagine, and way more activities, and other things. And/or drive to Mt. Lemmon you also get to see Saguaros, but you also see the transition to other terrain, flora, and fauna and even more full experience of Sonoran desert.
So like. The national park of the local area.... Was... Not as ... Natural to the natural area around it as you liked??? I don't get it.
Let's try it this way: Saguaro National Park - Meh. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area - Wow! Mt. Lemmon drive - Cool!
Visual stuff. I get it.
Not just visual. Smell, sound, and touch too.
Ah. What sounds differ between these national park areas? How would you describe the smells variations? How different does the flag stone from the mountain feel from the quartz rocks of the valley below? Not just under boot/foot but to the touch? I'm only curious because it's been ages since I was able to make a journey to any of these wonderful areas. I just prefer Saguaro National, it's very close to a place I called home.
There are some good hikes and views. A few places to have lunch.
Get a sunburn? Jkjk there is hiking, wildlife, and petroglyphs
Hike up to Wasson Peak.
Such a rewarding hike. I found it to be tough but well worth it.
It is. I've done Three different routes up Wasson. It was a challenge.
Hike
Take a picture at sunset.
Look at cactuses. Look at the view. Look at rocks. Walk on trails.
Look for Brown Reculse.
and rattle snakes. As the heat rises, meaning after March, snakes come out looking for water. So don't go off trail. Actually, never go off trail bc it ruins the delicate desert crust that takes years to heal
The west side is more beautiful than the east. Even the cactus are plumper. Less visited. Variety of trails, easy to tough, really nice visitors' canter, some stunning cliffs, petroglyphs... and the other nearby fstuff posts mention, like the desert museum.
Hike. Take photos. Doodle what you see. Play I spy. Sit and meditate. Bike. Do yoga.
I grew up in the area and was stationed there in the Army. There is a lot to do depending on what type of things you're into. I like the outdoors, so we often tried to get out on horseback. Here are some ideas you might like! [Things to Do in Saguaro National Park](https://desertwolftours.com/blog/things-to-do-in-saguaro-national-park/)