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Saguaro National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

4.0
(5 reviews)
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Your journey through West Saguaro National Park starts in Tucson. As you drive, dig into the secrets behind the park’s majestic mountains. Learn how they began as mere mud and hear about the tectonic changes that shaped them. Then see the Old Tucson Theme Park, a movie set turned into a totally unique theme park.Next, stop at the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for enchanting views of Tucson’s ancient rock formations. You’ll meet Thomas Gates, the pass’s namesake and hear about his eclectic life as a pioneer, gambler, entrepreneur, and prison superintendent. As the journey continues, take in the grand Saguaro cacti. Uncover how they sustain the park’s wildlife, and how the Tohono O’odham once used these iconic succulents! The next stop is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring all kinds of exhibits about the natural wonders of the desert.Get to know rugged homesteaders like Emilio Carillo, whose successful cattle ranch attracted a rather greedy gang and nearly cost him his life. For more drama, you’ll learn about the area’s mining history and unearth stories full of embezzlement, greed, and kidnapping! Speaking of wildlife, you’ll also get some ferocious facts about the local mountain lions. As you continue, you’ll reach the Cactus Forest Trail, an incredible path through the park’s famous cacti. Stop by the scenic Riparian Overlook, then continue on to the famously beautiful Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Your tour concludes here.

Overview

Your journey through West Saguaro National Park starts in Tucson. As you drive, dig into the secrets behind the park’s majestic mountains. Learn how they began as mere mud and hear about the tectonic changes that shaped them. Then see the Old Tucson Theme Park, a movie set turned into a totally unique theme park.Next, stop at the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for enchanting views of Tucson’s ancient rock formations. You’ll meet Thomas Gates, the pass’s namesake and hear about his eclectic life as a pioneer, gambler, entrepreneur, and prison superintendent. As the journey continues, take in the grand Saguaro cacti. Uncover how they sustain the park’s wildlife, and how the Tohono O’odham once used these iconic succulents! The next stop is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring all kinds of exhibits about the natural wonders of the desert.Get to know rugged homesteaders like Emilio Carillo, whose successful cattle ranch attracted a rather greedy gang and nearly cost him his life. For more drama, you’ll learn about the area’s mining history and unearth stories full of embezzlement, greed, and kidnapping! Speaking of wildlife, you’ll also get some ferocious facts about the local mountain lions. As you continue, you’ll reach the Cactus Forest Trail, an incredible path through the park’s famous cacti. Stop by the scenic Riparian Overlook, then continue on to the famously beautiful Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Your tour concludes here.

Location

Meeting Point Map

This is a self-guided experience and not an entrance ticket. The West Saguaro portion of the tour begins at the GPS-marked starting point next to 4960 W Ajo Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85757, USA. The East Saguaro portion begins at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson.

Address

3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730, USA

Open Google Map

Inclusions

  • Audio-guided tour
  • Downloadable APP
  • Digital guidebook

Exclusions

  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Transportation

Additional Information

  • Know in advance:
  • This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The tour operator's app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
  • Learn about the formation of the majestic mountains
  • Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
  • Marvel at the grand Saguaro Cactus
  • After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Please don't wait until you are on-site
  • Dig into true stories of history, grit, and greed
  • Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
  • Hear about ancient tribes and their fascinating culture
  • The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
  • Find out about the park's rich wildlife from mountain lions to javelina
  • Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
  • This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket

Extras Available

If the displayed extras are not bookable via our website, you can book and pay locally within the destination

  • With audioguide

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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