Directions to Saguaro National Park

Situation map of Saguaro National Park, Arizon...

Situation map of Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United States.

Saguaro National Park is split into two separate districts, so that means that there are lots of different directions to Saguaro National Park, depending on which district you’re going to visit, and where you are starting out from. Actually it’s a great idea to visit both districts of Saguaro National Park, but let’s not confuse the matter just yet.

Okay, Tucson, Arizona is definitely the place to head for whenever you set out to visit Saguaro National Park, ‘cos that’s right slap bang in the middle of it, but then where do you go?

East, Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park

  • From Tucson, Arizona – head east on Broadway or Speedway Boulevard as far as Freeman Road (turning right onto Freeman Road), then head south for 4 miles from Speedway or 3 miles from Broadway, until you get to the Old Spanish Trail. Turn left onto this Old Spanish Trail and drive for around a quarter of a mile southeast to the park entrance, which is located to the left side of the road.
  • From Interstate 10 – primary route – (I’ve called this one the primary route ‘cos there are a couple of alternatives, this is the primary route) – okay, exit I-10 at #275 onto Houghton Road, then drive a little less than 10 miles north to the Old Spanish Trail and turn right. Drive around 3 miles on the trail in a southeast direction until you reach the park entrance which will be on the left side of the road.
  • Front Interstate 10 – alternative route (which is more scenic) – exit I-10 at #279, Colossal Cave Road and head north for around 3.5 miles as far as Pistol Hill Road, then take a left turn. Drive for a further couple of miles northeast on Pistol Hill Road as far as Old Spanish Trail, turn left and carry on for 11 miles until you reach the park entrance which you will see on the right side of the road.
Photo of the entrance to Saguaro National Monu...

Photo of the entrance to Saguaro National Monument, Rincon District, on the east side of Tucson, AZ. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The East, Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park is pretty big so I don’t think you’ll drive by and miss it. I’ve added a photo to give you a clue!
 
And this is the east scenic loop drive just waiting for you when you get there . . . .

 
West, Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park
  • From Tucson, Arizona – travel west along Speedway Boulevard to the junction of Camino de Oeste, at which point the name will change to Gates Pass Road. Drive a further 4 miles from this junction, west until it ends at at Kinney Road where you need to turn right. Drive another 3 miles along Kinney Road to the park entrance which will be on the right side of the road. If your vehicle is longer than 25 feet you need a different route ‘cos this one isn’t suitable!
  • From Interstate 10 – primary route if you’re traveling in an eastward direction on I-10 you’ll see a one direction sign at Exit #242 – this is called the Avra Valley Road, drive 5 miles on this road west as far as Sandario Road, (turn left onto Sandario Road), then drive a further 9 miles south as far as Kinney Road, turning left onto Kinney Road. The Saguaro National Park visitor center is a couple of miles down Kinney Road on the left side of the road.
  • From Interstate 10 – alternative route – alternatively take exit #248 (Ina Road) and head west for 2.5 miles as far as Wade Road, then turn left onto this road and drive for around half a mile until you reach a big curve – here Wade Road becomes Picture Rocks Road, drive a further 6 miles west on Picture Rocks Road as far as Sandario Road and then turn left. You will have already entered and exited Saguaro National Park whilst you were on Picture Rocks Road (wow, that was quick) – drive a further 3.5 miles south on Sandario Road until you get to Kinney Road, turn left and drive along Kinney Road for 2 more miles to the visitor center on the left side of the road.
  • From Interstate 19 – this short route starts in Tucson at Interstate 10 and heading south to the Mexican border at Nogales, Arizona. Take I-19 south to exit #99 Ajo Way, then head west along Ajo Way (otherwise known as Highway 86) as far as Kinney Road where you need to turn right and head north, following the signs to Saguaro National Park.

Whichever district of Saguaro National Park you visit, it’s still awesome!


 

Enhanced by Zemanta