Saguaro National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Embark on a journey through the majestic Saguaro National Park on our Self-Guided Driving Tour! In the comfort of your own vehicle, we'll take you on a scenic drive through the towering cacti and stunning desert landscape, providing ample opportunities for photos and unforgettable memories. Turn your phone into a personal tour guide with this audio-driving tour that shares fascinating insights into the history, ecology, and geology of the park, including the unique wildlife that calls this incredible desert home. With stops at multiple overlooks and scenic vistas, you'll have plenty of chances to explore and take in the awe-inspiring beauty of this national park. Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, our Self-Guided Saguaro National Park Driving Tour is a perfect choice. Book your tour today and discover the wonder of this iconic desert landscape!*Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*
Overview
Embark on a journey through the majestic Saguaro National Park on our Self-Guided Driving Tour!
In the comfort of your own vehicle, we'll take you on a scenic drive through the towering cacti and stunning desert landscape, providing ample opportunities for photos and unforgettable memories.
Turn your phone into a personal tour guide with this audio-driving tour that shares fascinating insights into the history, ecology, and geology of the park, including the unique wildlife that calls this incredible desert home.
With stops at multiple overlooks and scenic vistas, you'll have plenty of chances to explore and take in the awe-inspiring beauty of this national park.
Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, our Self-Guided Saguaro National Park Driving Tour is a perfect choice.
Book your tour today and discover the wonder of this iconic desert landscape!
*Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*
Itinerary
Red Hills Visitor Center
Nice 4 mile loop hike that summits Brown Mountain, a lower hill that's just outside Saguaro National Park.
2 hoursRed Hills Visitor Center
This visitor center is a wealth of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. There are also good restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theatre.
Park entrance fee per vehicle
good for 7 Days
10 minutesDesert Discovery Nature Trail
An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and easy for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4 mile loop may have flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.
30 minutesA 0.8 mile trail that leads to an impressive overlook above a large expanse of virgin Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.
15 minutesA placid picnic spot with vault toilets and nice desert views.
30 minutesThis trail offers a stunning route to reach Mt. Wassen, the highest point of the TMD. Along the way one can see saguaros and other desert plants, as well as possibly wildlife as well, reptiles, birds, and possibly mammals, like jackrabbits and javalinas, or even mountain lions.
2 hoursStunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains behind.
35 minutesArizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, there's something for everybody at this unique institution, which is one of Tucson's top attractions. This place celebrates everything native to Arizona with natural exhibits and well-kept paths through gardens. Play areas, shows, and more keep the kids entertained as well. About 85% of the Desert Museum is outdoors.
2 hoursA stunning scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
15 minutesThe Saguaro East portion of the tour begins past the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, at the beginning of the Cactus Forest Drive scenic loop. This is a quick and easy overlook, one of the first along Cactus Forest Drive. For those that are anxious to get out of the car and take a look around, this is a quick introduction to the area. But if time is short, you can press on.
5 minutesAnother brief stop is in order at this overlook, which has a much more expansive view of the surrounding saguaro forest.
5 minutesThe Mica View Picnic Area has a few shaded places to enjoy a picnic, but the star is the Mica View Trail. It's an easy, 1.5 mile round trip hike through the saguaros. The path is flat, wide, and made of gravel, making this an ADA-accessible trail.
30 minutesDesert Ecology Trail
This easy, paved trail is under a half mile long, and is one more ADA-accessible path through the desert flora. It doesn't take long to walk through, but you might linger longer to read the interpretive signs, or wait on a bench to see what wildlife appears.
15 minutesLoma Verde
This trailhead is the gateway to a tangle of trails that extend into the desert. But the most popular trip is to do a loop, combining the Loma Verde, Pink Hill, and Squeeze Pen trails. Together, it's about 3.5 miles round trip, through more saguaros, cacti, and small trees.
2 hoursThis overlook sits at the base of the Rincon Mountain range, with an open view of the desert ecosystem.
5 minutesJavelina Rocks
Enjoy climbing around these ancient rock formations, which are a window into Saguaro's unique geological history. This is a particularly good spot for enjoying a sunset, with open views of much of the Cactus Forest Loop area.
15 minutesThis is an easy, one mile round trip hike to what's left of the Freeman family homestead. There's not much in the way of ruins other than the house's foundations, but it's an enjoyable hike nonetheless. The trail makes a loop in a densely vegetated area, where wildlife is abundant.
30 minutesA picnic area with covered tables and a restroom, as well as the Tanque Verde trailhead. The entire Tanque Verde Trail is over 17 miles long, an adventure that crosses through multiple ecosystems between saguaro desert to alpine forest.
Even if you do the first couple miles, you'll see the saguaros disappear and replaced with scrubland. Wide open views, nearby mountains, and incredible scenery make this a fitting grand finale to the tour.
2 hours
Location
Address
AZ-86, Tucson, AZ, USA
Inclusions
- Tours NEVER expire
- Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
- Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
- Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Exclusions
- Private transportation
- Meals and Refreshment
- Entrance Fee: Saguaro Nation Park Visitor Center - $25 per vehicle to enter the park
- Parking Fees
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
- Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
- Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
- Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
- Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
- The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
- What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
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