Where Can I Camp When Visiting Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro National Park is located in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona and is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. The park protects over 91,000 acres of land and is home to the iconic giant saguaro cactus, which can reach up to 50 feet tall. With its stunning desert scenery and unique wildlife, Saguaro National Park is a great place to camp.
There are several camping options for visitors to Saguaro National Park. The park offers two developed campgrounds, both of which have RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites.
The Rincon Mountain District Campground is located on the east side of the park and has 32 sites with electric hookups and tent sites available throughout the year. The Tucson Mountain District Campground is located on the west side of the park and has 28 sites with electric hookups and tent sites available throughout the year. Both campgrounds offer restrooms with flush toilets, picnic tables, fire grates, water spigots, and nearby trailheads for exploring the park.
In addition to developed campgrounds, there are also backcountry camping options in Saguaro National Park. Backcountry camping requires a permit from either district ranger station which can be obtained in person or online through Recreation.gov. Backcountry camping requires visitors to pack in all necessary supplies including food, water, shelter, and equipment for cooking and sleeping.
For those looking for an even more remote experience there is also dispersed camping available on public lands outside of Saguaro National Park boundaries. Dispersed camping allows visitors to explore more remote areas of Arizona while still enjoying some of the same scenery as within Saguaro National Park limits. Dispersed campsites are free but require visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles such as packing out all trash and leaving no trace that you were ever there at all when you leave your campsite behind.
No matter what type of camping experience you are looking for when visiting Saguaro National Park, there are plenty of options available for your next outdoor adventure! With both developed campgrounds inside the park boundaries as well as backcountry and dispersed camping opportunities outside of them there’s something for everyone no matter their skill level or preferred style of exploring nature’s beauty!
Conclusion: When visiting Saguaro National Park there are many different types of camping experiences available depending on what kind of adventure you’re looking for! Whether you’re looking for an RV site or a backcountry experience there’s something perfect awaiting your arrival at this stunning desert destination!
