Discover Four of Arizona's Beautiful National Parks this Spring
Looking to escape the city for a bit and find yourself in the peace of the great outdoors? If you’re going to be in the Phoenix or Tucson area, grab your hiking boots or favorite walking shoes and head to four of Arizona’s beautiful national parks, where you’ll find an abundance of natural beauty and history within three national park sites. Spring is one of the best times to visit southern Arizona. Superblooms sweep across valleys, mountains, and forest floors. The winter has warmed comfortably, but the searing temps of summer are still a ways off. It’s the best time to head outdoors, get your steps in, and immerse yourself in these special places.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Just south of Phoenix, visit Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This site protects the remains of a 14th century village built by the ancestral Sonoran Desert peoples, including the Great House, an impressive four-story adobe structure. Join a free guided tour to learn about the people who once thrived here. After exploring the site, unfold your picnic blanket; the shaded tables and platforms dotted around the grounds make an ideal spot for a picnic lunch surrounded by agricultural lands and plants that are native to Arizona’s beautiful desert. There is no fee to enter the park.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out CoolidgeAZ.com and VisitArizona.
Pets are permitted in the park, but should not be left inside parked cars!
Saguaro National Park
An hour south of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, is another one of Arizona’s beautiful national parks, Saguaro National Park, home to the iconic saguaro cactus. With two districts on either side of Tucson, there are hikes for all levels and abilities. Take the easy 1-mile Freeman Homestead Trail in the Rincon Mountain District to wander among saguaros twice as tall as you! Learn about desert homesteading life while keeping an eye out for great horned owls. For a moderate half-day hike with big payoffs, head up the Ridge View Trail in the Rincon District or the Hugh Norris Trail in the Tucson Mountain District for panoramic mountain vistas. The hardy hikers should tackle the 8-mile roundtrip trek up Wasson Peak, the highest point in the Tucson Mountains. You’ll earn breathtaking 360 degree views across the Sonoran Desert. Bring your bicycle if you have one! This park is famous for its cycling, with two paved scenic loops for cyclists to enjoy. Saguaro is an Urban Dark Sky Place, protecting night skies and wildlife from the impacts of light pollution.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out Visit Tucson and VisitArizona.
Pets are permitted on some trails at Saguaro National Park.
Camping is not permitted within Saguaro National Park, however there are nearby campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area.
Tumacácori National Historical Park
About an hour south of Tucson, stretch your legs on the Anza Trail connecting Tumacácori National Historical Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. This flat, shady path follows the Santa Cruz River, tracing the footsteps of early Spanish settlers. Kick off your “I Hike for Health” challenge here by hiking from the mission grounds of Tumacácori to the historic village of Tubac. If you’d rather skip the hike, you can park in front of the park and explore the grounds of this cultural crossroads where the O’odham dwelled first. The timeworn paths lead you through the walls of several missions established between 1687 and 1711 by Father Kino. This complex history is worth learning and the park grounds offer a beautiful space for reflection on the often troubling stories of the past. Today, Tumacácori hosts cultural celebrations and demonstrations, including the Tumacácori Fiesta, where many cultures gather together to recognize the past and celebrate the present.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out TubacAz.com and VisitArizona.
Pets are not permitted in the park.
Camping is not permitted within Tumacácori, however, many camp nearby in Patagonia Lake State Park or Madera Canyon.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Two hours west of Tucson, just outside of the artist’s town of Ajo, you’ll find Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Learn about and connect with the heritage of this beautiful trinational area, which shares borders with Mexico and the Tohono O’odham Nation. For thousands of years, humans have lived in harmony with this desert. The springs at Quitobaquito has long been a sacred site for the O’odham. This remarkable oasis helps protect a thriving community of plants and animals that have adapted to the arid desert climate. The most iconic plant is the organ pipe cactus, impressive cacti with multiple arms protruding from the base, resembling organ pipes. Other cacti dot the landscape as well, including the towering saguaro. Wildflowers add brilliant splashes of color during spring blooms. Animals like roadrunners, kangaroo rats, and desert tortoises call this desert home.
Drive the 21-mile Ajo Mountain Drive taking in panoramic views from the comfort of your vehicle. Camp under the stars and listen to the sounds of the desert at night.
Check NPS.gov for current alerts. For help planning your trip, check out Ajo Heart of the Desert and VisitArizona.
Pets are welcome in the park. Take the right steps to keep them safe.
There are two developed campgrounds at Twin Peaks and Alamo Canyon. Backpackers can also camp at designated wilderness sites with a backcountry permit.
The Perfect Blend of Culture, History, Nature, and Recreation
Trade in city noise for cactus of all shapes and sizes, glowing wildflowers, vibrant culture, and riverside strolls. With scenic hikes for all fitness levels, southern Arizona’s beautiful national parks offer the perfect blend of nature, history, and adventure. Grab your walking shoes and get refreshed!
By Julie Thompson
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