11. SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
Saguaro National Park West (also known as Tucson Mountain Station), located in the Tucson Mountains, and Saguaro National Park East (also known as Rincon Mountain Station), located in the Rincon Mountains, are home to over 2 million saguaros. With over 91,000 acres of land, visitors can experience a beautiful desert oasis filled with saguaros and wildlife.
Exclusive to the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus has long been a symbol of the Old West and Tucson, Arizona. These cacti are tall and tree-like, with branches commonly referred to as arms. Saguaros can grow up to 45 feet tall, weigh 4,800 pounds when fully hydrated and can often live 150 to 200 years.
The Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of 2,180 ft to 4,687 ft and contains 2 biotic communities, desert scrub, and desert grassland. Common wildlife include the coyote, Gambel’s quail, and desert tortoise.
Besides marveling at the wide-open landscape and endless sea of saguaros and other cacti, Saguaro National Park offers beautiful hikes, backcountry camping, petroglyphs up to 1,550 years old, cactus garden walks, and jaw-dropping sunset views.