Auto Touring

It's easy to get a feel for the beauty of Saguaro National Park without leaving the comfort of your air-conditioned car. In the Rincon Mountain District in the east, the paved eight-mile Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive varies from one to two lanes. Before starting out, stop by the Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center for a natural and cultural history guide to the drive; it costs just $2. Scenic vistas, such as lookouts toward the Santa Catalina Mountains and Rincon Mountains, are stunning, and you'll also come to terrific vantage points overlooking the park, with fields of cacti marching towards the horizon. You'll also find pullouts and picnic areas to enjoy along the drive, as well as hiking trailheads to stretch your legs.
 In the Tucson Mountain District in the west, the Bajada Loop Drive is an unpaved six-mile loop that also varies from one to two lanes. Just off of the graded dirt road you'll find picnic spots, scenic pullouts, and more hiking trailheads. Don't worry, though: you don't need a four-wheel or high-clearance vehicle to traverse the drive. Stop by the Red Hills Visitor Center before embarking on the drive to pick up a natural and cultural history guide for just $1. And, even though the loop doesn't require high clearance, it is best to check on the accessibility of the road before you decide to tour the loop. During the summer, monsoons sometimes wash out the roads and it can be closed. The Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District are about 30 minutes apart, depending upon traffic.