Tanks for the Memories: The Cacti of Saguaro
- Lindsay Britts
- Jul 6, 2017
- 3 min read
Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say… TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Starting City: Phoenix, AZ
Destination: Saguaro National Park, AZ
Miles: about 110
The American Southwest has no shortage of long stretches where you can cruise with the top down in your convertible, taking in the sunshine and the dry desert heat. A lot of symbols can pop into a person’s head when they think of the West, but none is so prominent and prickly as the Giant Saguaro Cactus. If you’re itching to see fields of these native flora, along with other picturesque views of the Sonoran Desert, plan a drive south to Saguaro National Park.
Credit: NPS
Saguaro National Park has two separate sections that flank the city of Tucson: the Tucson Mountain district to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. The eastern park was first established as a National Monument in 1933, and the western park was first a recreation area separated from a portion of Tucson Mountain Park in 1961. In 1994 both lands were given National Park status under the name Saguaro National Park. Giving the park its namesake, the saguaro cactus can grow to be 60 feet tall and live for over 150 years. Strangely enough, even though this giant cactus is a symbol of the entire Southwest, there are no native saguaros anywhere but Arizona and Mexico. Check your Old El Paso salsa label for an import of this cactus into Texas!
Admission to the park gets you a weekly pass to both districts. It’s been said that spring and fall are the best times to visit, as the temperatures have not risen to their high point in the summer. There are no campgrounds or restaurants in the park, but there are some nearby, so plan accordingly! There are over 165 miles of trails in the parks, and the park service provides a handy guide with tips and information. Number one tip: stay hydrated! Maybe you'll be able to catch a glimpse of a jackrabbit, a Mexican spotted owl, a peccary, or even a giant desert tortoise.
Credit: NPS
If you prefer putting dust on your tires rather than your sneakers, both sections of the park have scenic driving trails. In the western section, the five-mile Bajada Loop Drive is accessible from the Red Hills Visitor Center. Different picnic areas off the loop can afford you the chance to dine amongst a Saguaro forest or see petroglyphs from the Hohokam Indians, the native inhabitants of the park land. The eastern section’s loop is called Cactus Forest Drive, and is an eight-mile loop that features outstanding views of the Rincon and Santa Catalina Mountains.
For an arrid adventure that lets you bask in the nature of the Southwest, head to Saguaro National Park!
STRETCH YOUR LEGS: If interacting with fauna is more your style, get your feathers flapping for the ostriches at Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, right off the highway in Picacho Peak, AZ. They have not only ostriches but donkeys, goats, deer, and more. They are open from Friday through Monday; on Saturday and Sunday they have Monster Truck tours where you can learn about the farm, the desert, and do some off-roading. Flock to this ranch to see if it holds up to its slogan, “The Darnedest Place You’ll Ever Visit!”
Learn More: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm http://www.saguaronationalpark.com/ http://www.friendsofsaguaro.org/
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