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WHEN TO VISIT SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
June and July are the hottest months to visit. It’s not unusual for high temperatures to top out over 100+ degrees during these months. In mid-June, monsoon season begins. Afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed rain and help to cool off the area, at least a little bit. Monsoon season typically lasts through September.
We visited the park on June 12 and the high temperature hit 107°F.
Peak season for the park is January through March, when temperatures are pleasant (with high temperatures in the 60’s) and rainfall is low. November and December are also a very nice time to visit, but expect larger crowds around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
If you want to visit the park when the Saguaro cacti bloom, your best chance of seeing the blooms is between early May through the first week of June. On our visit on June 12, the blooming season had just ended, so we just missed out.
June through September receives the lowest number of visitors.
HOW TO GET TO SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
Here are driving distances and times from nearby destinations:
- Phoenix, Arizona: 115 miles, 1.75 hours
- Sedona, Arizona: 230 miles, 3.5 hours
- El Paso, Texas: 320 miles, 4.5 hours
WHERE TO STAY
There are no accommodations inside Saguaro National Park, unless you plan to camp in Saguaro East. To do this, you will need a permit. Learn more on the official national park website.
One of our awesome readers recommends Gilbert Ray Campground. It is located just outside of Saguaro West and he says you get great views of the cacti. Thanks Alex!
There are many places to choose from in Tucson, with an abundance of chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc. Here are a few suggestions with more character, based on budget and amenities.
Upscale: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa. If you want a resort with swimming pools, restaurants, and outdoor activities, and a close location to Saguaro West, this is the place to stay.
This is where we stayed. We chose this hotel for its location and great reviews. It was our 20th wedding anniversary and we got upgraded to the Presidential Suite. It was an incredible surprise! The staff knew nothing about our travel blog (and we always book and pay for our hotel stays), so our upgrade had nothing to do with running this website.
If you are traveling with kids, this place is great. There are several pools, a lazy river, and corn hole, so there’s a lot to keep kids busy and happy.
Mid-Range: Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast Inn. This bed and breakfast is located in eastern Tuscon, near Saguaro East. This beautiful property has an outdoor pool and views of the nearby mountains. It is adult only.
Budget: Hotel McCoy. This hotel has a handy location just off of Route 10. From here it is a 30-minute drive to both Saguaro West and Saguaro East. The property has a pool and offers beer, wine, and coffee which are all produced in Arizona.
If you have any questions about Saguaro National Park or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO ARIZONA
PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visit Petrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.
GRAND CANYON: Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do on the South Rim, how to spend one perfect day in the Grand Canyon, and which South Rim viewpoints are the best ones to visit. For amazing views of the Grand Canyon, check out our guide to the Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours.
SEDONA: To learn what there is to do in Sedona, read our article Best Things to Do in Sedona. To help you plan your time, check out our One Day in Sedona Itinerary and Sedona Itinerary Ideas for 1 to 6 days. For links to all of our Sedona articles, check out our Sedona Travel Guide.
PETRIFIED FOREST: This small national park is an underrate gem. Plan your visit with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park.
ANTELOPE CANYON: Journey through Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon in photos. If you only have time for one, don’t miss our article Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?
NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample
itineraries.
