Saguaro National Park
Dec. 20-21, 2024
Day 1: The park is split into two sections on either side of Tucson. The west side is in between Ironwood National Monument and a county run Tucson Mountain park. I stopped at Kings Canyon/Gould Mine loop in the evening. Even in December, it was hot and dry although the desert does have a stark beauty. Do not touch the plants as everything has spines or thorns. It was nice to see the variety of saguaro, barrel, prickly pear, and cholla cacti. The spiney ocotillo should not be left out as it is as nasty as a cactus.
Day 2: The only place I went in the park today was the Cactus Forest Drive and a few short hikes off this road. On one of the trails, I walked into a prickly pear cactus. The spines went through my pants and I was picking them out for hours. The saguaro cacti are a highlight of this area as there are thousands of them. Each one has its own personality.
For more information: Plan Your Visit - Saguaro National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Total Cost: $253.51