Saguaro National Park

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Saguaro National Park The Saguaro cactus only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. Rincon Mountain (East) District: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail
Tucson Mountain (West): 2700 N.

Kinney Road

If you're looking for the official source of information about Saguaro National Park please visit our homepage at www.nps.gov/sagu

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Next week is Birdability Week! Join us at the Mica View Picnic Area & Trailhead for an intentional, slow-paced morning c...
10/15/2026

Next week is Birdability Week! Join us at the Mica View Picnic Area & Trailhead for an intentional, slow-paced morning celebrating the avian life of the Sonoran Desert! This event amongst the Giant Saguaro is designed to ensure birding is welcoming, inclusive, and physically accessible to everyone, including birders with mobility challenges, chronic illness, or those who are neurodivergent.

The When: October 20th, starting at 8:00am and ending at 11:00am.

The Route: We will explore the Mica View Trail, a 0.7-mile paved loop intentionally graded to ADA standards, making it a seamless and joyful experience for birders using manual and power wheelchairs, rolling walkers, and cane seats.

The Pace: We move at the pace of our slowest birder. Rest breaks are built in every 15 minutes, and shaded seating will be provided along the trail.

Experience Level: Completely beginner-friendly! Loaner binoculars, phone grips, and a spotting scope pre-set to wheelchair height will be provided.

Target Species: Keep an eye out for iconic residents like Cactus Wren, Gamble's Quail, Pyrrhuloxia, Gila Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner and Harris's Hawk.

Food and Fun: Snacks and drinks will be available; Rangers will be on hand for a short talk & questions.

Accessible parking is available but limited to 6-7 spots and 2 van-accessible spots to park at the picnic area itself, and otherwise parking is located at Broadway Trailhead (a 0.7-mile hike on a flat, paved path).

Saguaro's (east) Rincon Mountain District is located at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730. Park entrance fees apply, and the America the Beautiful Access Pass is encouraged. If you have a documented permanent disability and do not have an Access Pass, one can be provided at the fee booth. Please enter through the main gate at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center.

We look forward to sharing this memorable and accessible experience with you!

10/14/2026

Butterflies galore! Here, there, and everywhere you look, it seems like there are butterflies in every space you look! Whether they’re migratory or sedentary, butterflies play a critical role in our desert’s ecosystem.

Monsoon rains bring not only wonderful blooms but beautiful butterflies as well. As pollinators, they are responsible for the reproduction of several desert plants. Although the only butterflies mentioned were the American snouts, sulfurs, pipevine swallowtails, and queens, there are countless other butterflies to observe around the park, just like that strange ranger-sized “butterfly” …

As this video series wraps up, please remember to:
- Be responsible in the heat
- Stay extra cautious in thunderstorms
- Respect the insects
- Watch where you step at night
- Enjoy the butterflies
And stay safe out there!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a shot of a young female ranger in a green polo with a male ranger wearing butterfly wings and an antenna standing behind her on a rock. A clip of a small butterfly with a long snout is shown on a small branch. Clip cuts to a shot of the female ranger and a photo of another brown snouted butterfly is shown. A brief clip of a shrub with small orange berries is shown. Clip cuts to a close view of the ranger before cutting to an overhead angle of a yellow butterfly on a small shrub. A light green butterfly on a yellow flower is shown. Clip cuts to the male ranger in the butterfly costume with his finger up then turns around and walks away while flapping butterfly wings. Scene cuts to a handheld shot of the female ranger with a photo of a dark butterfly with yellow spots. The male ranger runs behind while a clip of a red spiky caterpillar is shown. Multiple shots of the male ranger are shown as he runs around and flaps his wings. Clip cuts to a medium shot to the female ranger with the male ranger dancing behind her. A clip shows an orange and black butterfly with green plants in the background. A handheld shot of the female ranger is shown before changing to a shot of the male ranger on top of a vehicle. Scene changes to a shot of the female ranger under a mesquite tree and saguaro.]

Saguaro is looking for another team member! We are hiring for an Assistant Volunteer Program Coordinator position.Duties...
10/13/2026

Saguaro is looking for another team member! We are hiring for an Assistant Volunteer Program Coordinator position.

Duties:
- Assist the Saguaro National Park Volunteer Coordinator with the recruitment, retention, and recognition of volunteers serving in a variety of park program disciplines. Provide support to park volunteer supervisors and potential and current volunteers with navigating the application, onboarding, hours tracking process, work activity coordination and planning.

- Assist in developing and implementing opportunities to engage current volunteers and craft meaningful ways of recognizing their contributions. (e.g. volunteer newsletter, training/enrichment/recognition/engagement events) (50%)

- Review and approve volunteer hours and manage volunteer opportunities in volunteer.gov online system (20%)

- Assist volunteers in completing required application and reporting procedures in volunteer.gov (20%)

- Provide training materials and program support to volunteer supervisors (5%)

- Review and update SOPs and handbooks (5%)

Qualifications:
- BA/BS Degree with minimum additional experience of 1 year(s) in volunteer management

- Experience with NPS volunteer programs preferred but not required

- Experience working in a team environment supporting and organizing work groups

- Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, MS Outlook, Adobe Acrobat

To Apply
- E-mail resumes to [email protected] by Nov 2nd with "ESP Assistant Volunteer Coordinator" in the subject line.

Other:
- This position is grant funded; there are currently six months of funding available, with annual renewals pending additional funding.

- Physical requirements: Primarily sedentary office work. Reasonable accommodations will be made, as requested, for the performance of the essential functions of this position.

Location: Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ
Hourly Wage: $35
Hours per Week: 12
Minimum Age: 55
Total Hours: ~310
Remote: No
Travel: Yes, local only

10/05/2026

What's your reason for wanting to join Eco Discovery Project? The Eco-Discovery Project is designed for youth in grades 9-12 from the Tucson community who are interested in science and the outdoors and who would like to explore careers in natural resources. Participants will get hands-on field work experience alongside park scientists and educators in partnership with Friends of Saguaro National Park.

Applications are open now until October 13, and selections will be made by October 16. Participants will meet on multiple Saturdays starting in November through January, 2027. More information and applications can be found at go.nps.gov/eco-disco-project.
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[Video description: Vertical Video opens with close-up on female Park Ranger, Ranger Miriam; wearing a wide-brimmed tan ranger hat, brown glasses, long brown hair, grey ranger button up, with gold name tag and badge. The scene cuts to Karina, actively smelling a lush Ocotillo. She has medium brown hair stopping at her shoulders, sunglasses on her head, and is wearing a light tan shirt with an "Education Team" logo on the front. She turns towards us and pulls a piece of paper from a tan ranger hat. The next scene jumps to us walking down a dirt trail, Ranger Brian turns to face us. He has brown hair just past his shoulder and is wearing the traditional ranger uniform) tan flat hat, grey button up with green pants, and gold badge and nametag). He also reaches into the hat to pull a piece of paper. As the scene cuts to Ranger Bobbie, she is seen walking towards us on a paved path. She too is wearing the traditional ranger uniform. She walks up to the hat and pulls out a piece of paper. As Ranger Mariah appears in the next scene, she is walking up to us from the western patio of the building, with a desert valley in full view behind her. She too is wearing the traditional ranger uniform and proceeds to pull a piece of paper from the hat. All the previous rangers were surrounded by lush desert scenery, including tall Saguaro cacti, green ocotillos, and a variety of small desert shrubs and trees. The final scene returns to the up-close on Ranger Miriam, with lush desert foliage behind her.]

09/29/2026

Oooh, so that's why it's called a wash!

Throughout the southwest you'll come across many arroyos, colloquially known as a wash. An arroyo is a steep-sided gully or dry-stream bed that while dry most of the year, can flood significantly during the rainy seasons. Given an adequate downpour these waterways carry rain throughout the desert, delivering much needed water to the plants and animals that live here. Even as they dry up, these systems provide a "highway of the desert" for wildlife. Animals, and people, often use these as convenient routes of travel. However, they can present a rapid danger during monsoon season.

Flash flooding can occur rapidly in washes, low‑lying areas, and unpaved roadways. Be extra vigilant to check the forecast ahead of time and keep a look out for incoming weather systems. If you see incoming storm clouds, or catch yourself stuck hiking in a storm, avoid ridges and low areas. Stay out of drainages, check weather updates, and comply with posted warnings or closures. Getting home safe is the number one goal.

When driving through the area, road conditions may deteriorate quickly, especially on dirt roads and backcountry routes. Report washouts, blocked roads, or infrastructure concerns if safe to do so. Do not drive through flooded roads—Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
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[Video Description; Vertical video looking down from a raised patio onto the lush desert floor below. Reddish hills line the background, with heavy rain and fog rolling over them. Closer to us is a wide, winding arroyo that cuts through the Sonoran Desert vegetation. The camera slowly pans left, following the curve of the arroyo. Plump Saguaro cacti, and vibrant green bushes and small trees densely fill in the areas around the arroyo. As the camera pans, the turbulence of the running water in the riverbed becomes more apparent. The water tumbles and breaks over rocks, large branches, and more. The camera begins to pan back to the right roughly 3/4 into the video, stopping to zoom in on a small trail marker sign being whaled upon by the rushing water.]

Hey there peccaries, you don’t have-t’-leave-a so early anymore! Starting later this week, you can hit the snooze button...
09/27/2026

Hey there peccaries, you don’t have-t’-leave-a so early anymore! Starting later this week, you can hit the snooze button again!

On October 1st, Saguaro National Park will revert to winter hours. Both Visitor Centers will be open from 9am to 5pm. The trails remain open 24hrs a day & the roads are open from dawn to dusk.

09/21/2026

Ever wonder why you’re not seeing those cool critters everyone is talking about during the daytime? It’s because they’re asleep! When the sun goes down, the desert dwellers come to life.

In the warmer time of the year, most of the wildlife has made a slight adjustment to their schedule. Instead of coming out in the blazing sun, they choose to enjoy the nicer temperatures of the evening under a moonlit sky; not a bad idea! Larger mammals are on the search of their next meal while smaller insects are using the lit-up sky to figure out where they’re going.

While the nighttime desert is beautiful, visibility is limited and animal behaviors and weather patterns can be unpredictable, which is why we should always think of safety first! It is always important to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Be sure to always keep a light source with you and watch your step!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger in a green polo walking on the desert floor in the dark. Scene cuts to a medium shot the same ranger standing in front of a prickly pear cactus. Clip cuts to a handheld shot of the ranger with photos of a javelina and coyote appearing. Scene returns to the medium shot of the ranger with a clip of a tarantula up close and another of a darker tarantula walking away. Clip cuts to a shot of the ranger in front of an insect-covered tent with a blacklight while showing a grasshopper on the back of her head. Scene changes to a moving shot of small insects on the tent lit up by the blacklight. Clip returns to the medium shot of the ranger in front of the insect tent followed by a daytime shot of a butterfly on some scrub. Scene returns to previous medium shot and then pans from the bottom of a saguaro to the top. Clip changes to another handheld shot of the ranger followed by a full shot of the ranger walking into the frame holding a red light. A shot of two scorpions glowing under a black light is shown before returning to a hand-held clip of the ranger turning on a small flashlight.]

09/14/2026

Something something dry heat.

The Tucson Mountain District (West Side) of Saguaro National Park was hit by another down pour this weekend. The roads along the loop drive were once again wiped out. Due to the road damage, Saguaro National Park has issued the following Closure Order:

"Pursuant to Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations section 1.5(a)(1), the following areas are closed to public use:
• Hohokam Road, between Hugh Norris Trail Head and Golden Gate Road in the Tucson Mtn District of Saguaro National Park. This section of road is closed to all use beginning Friday, September 11, until reopened. The closure is a result of road damage due to flash flooding in desert washes crossing the road. Signs are in place to inform visitors of the closure. The closure will be lifted when the road is repaired, the area is safe to reenter, and the signs are removed.
• Golden Gate Road between Signal Hill Junction and Sandaro Esperanza in the Tucson Mtn District of Saguaro National. This section of road is closed while crew's complete road repairs beginning Friday, September 11, until reopened. The closure is a result of road damage due to flash flooding on the road. Signs are in place to inform visitors of the closure. The closure will be lifted when the road is repaired, the area is safe to reenter, and the signs are removed.
_______________________________
Kelly Fuhrmann,
Superintendent
September 11, 2026"
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Video Description: Horizontal video, starting with a static view of a large dam made of brown and tan stone. The dam sits along a wide desert wash. Dirty, opaque, brown water rushes over the damn and down the wash. The camera slowly pans left to follow the rushing water as it flows onward into the desert. The sides of the wash are lined with lush, green, desert vegetation as well as large rocks and boulders. In the distance are several small to medium hills covered in Sonoran vegetation. The sky above is a dull blue and grey, with thick storm clouds.

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who love working outdoors and learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem! As part...
09/10/2026

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who love working outdoors and learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem! As part of our team, you’ll help protect the natural resources of Saguaro National Park. This position will focus on wildfire fuel reduction through invasive plant management.
Our crew typically works four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday. No specific prior skills are required — just an interest in the natural world, a positive attitude, and experience working or recreating outdoors in high-temperature environments.

While invasive plant management will be the primary focus, you’ll have opportunities to support a variety of other resource projects as needs arise. Cross-training may include:
- Boundary fence maintenance and wildlife-friendly retrofits
- Riparian and rare plant surveys
- Wildlife camera monitoring
- Saguaro monitoring

If you’re passionate about conservation and eager to gain hands-on experience in desert ecology, we’d love to have you on the team! You can learn more about this position on the Next Generation Rangers page of our website (https://www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/next-generation-ranger-corps.htm). The position is managed and paid for by Friends of Saguaro National Park.

To apply or request more information, send your resume or questions to us at [email protected]

09/02/2026

Sorry to BUG you, but this is the time of year that a lot of those creepy crawly critters are out and about, and you might just encounter one! But do not fear; Ranger Summer talks about how these insects are essential to our desert ecosystems. They can be pollinators, food sources, or even decomposers and still help hold everything in the desert together.

We understand that it may be unsettling and oftentimes startling to come across an unfamiliar insect. However, it is very important to stay aware of your surroundings for both your safety and the safety of the critters around you!

Remember- insects are a huge part of our ecosystem, so remember to be kind and keep your distance!
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[Video Description: Vertical video, opens on a close-up shot of a young female ranger with long hair and a green polo walking through trail next to a mountainous desert landscape. Scene cuts to a shot of a black and orange wasp walking around on the ground full of rocks and dry scrub. Scene cuts to a clip of a small orange beetle on top of a purple flower. A clip of the same ranger is shown from a medium shot under a Palo Verde tree in front of a mountainous desert scenery. Scene cuts to a closer handheld perspective of the ranger walking on a desert trail. Scene changes to an up-close shot of a small lizard hiding under some sticks before quickly running away. Scene returns to a medium shot of the ranger in front of some mountains with some sticks in the foreground. Scene changes to shot that pans from bottom to top of an animal’s bone with some old flesh. Scene changes to a slightly angled handheld shot of the ranger along a trail.]

Address

3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ
85730

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15207335153

Website

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