• Brown Mountain - A delightful 4-mile loop hike that reaches the summit of Brown Mountain, a smaller hill located just outside Saguaro National Park.
• Red Hills Visitor Center - This visitor center is a treasure trove of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. It also features excellent restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theater.

Park entrance fee per vehicle
valid for 7 Days

• Desert Discovery Nature Trail - An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4-mile loop may feature flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.
• Valley View Overlook Trail - A 0.8-mile trail leading to a breathtaking overlook above a vast expanse of untouched Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.
• Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area - A serene picnic spot with vault toilets and beautiful desert views.
• Sendero Esperanza Trailhead - This trail provides 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, including reptiles, birds, and mammals like jackrabbits, javelinas, or even mountain lions.
• Signal Hill - Features stunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains.
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, this unique institution offers something for everyone and is one of Tucson’s top attractions. It celebrates everything native to Arizona with natural exhibits and well-maintained paths through gardens. Play areas, shows, and more keep the kids entertained as well. About 85% of the Desert Museum is outdoors.
• Gates Pass Scenic Lookout - A breathtaking scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
• Sonoran Desert Overlook - The Saguaro East portion of the tour begins past the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, at the start of the Cactus Forest Drive scenic loop. This is a quick and easy overlook, one of the first along Cactus Forest Drive. For those eager to get out of the car and explore, this is a quick introduction to the area. But if time is short, you can continue on.
• Cactus Forest Overlook - Another brief stop is recommended at this overlook, which offers a much more expansive view of the surrounding saguaro forest.
• Mica View Picnic Area - The Mica View Picnic Area offers a few shaded spots for a picnic, but the highlight 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 it an ADA-accessible trail.
• Desert Ecology Trail - This easy, paved trail is under half a mile long and is another ADA-accessible path through the desert flora. It doesn’t take long to walk through, but you might linger to read the interpretive signs or wait on a bench to see what wildlife appears.
• Loma Verde - This trailhead is the gateway to a network of trails that extend into the desert. The most popular trip is 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.
• Rincon Mountains - This overlook is situated at the base of the Rincon Mountain range, offering an open view of the desert ecosystem.
• Javelina Rocks - Enjoy climbing around these ancient rock formations, which provide a glimpse into Saguaro’s unique geological history. This is an excellent spot for enjoying a sunset, with open views of much of the Cactus Forest Loop area.
• Freeman Homestead Trail - This is an easy, one-mile round trip hike to the remnants 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 forms a loop in a densely vegetated area, where wildlife is abundant.
• Javelina Picnic Area - A 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 from saguaro desert to alpine forest.

Even if you only cover the first couple of miles, you’ll see the saguaros give way to scrubland. Wide open views, nearby mountains, and incredible scenery make this a fitting grand finale to the tour.

• Tours never expire
• Offline audio guided tour with hours of narration, stories, travel tips, and music
• Use offline map with GPS - no wifi or data required
• Download the tour and select the most convenient day
• Includes tour highlights, activities, and restaurant recommendations
• Turn-by-turn GPS directions
• Customize your experience with the freedom to choose your stops
• Automatic audio narration as you drive

• Private transportation
• Meals and Refreshment
• Entrance Fee: Saguaro Nation Park Visitor Center - $25 per vehicle to enter the park
• Parking Fees
• Entrance fees
• Entrance fees

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.

• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
• Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
• Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
• Tour covers both districts — Tucson Mountain (West) and Rincon Mountain (East) — with a ~45 min drive between them through Tucson; no tour narration between the two
• West district starts on Route 86 outside Tucson; East district starts just after the visitor center on Cactus Loop Drive
• No food or restaurants in the park — stock up on snacks and water beforehand
• Time estimate: West district 4–6 hours with stops; East district ~2 hours with stops (more if hiking)
• Drive slowly — snakes and Gila monsters frequently cross or bask on the road

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.