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    Saguaro

    National Park Arizona

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Fire Restrictions in effect for Saguaro National Park

    Due to increased fire danger in southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park will implement fire restrictions in both the Rincon and Tucson Mountain Districts, beginning Wednesday, May 22, 2013. More »

  • Bottled water no longer for sale in Saguaro National Park

    Water bottle filling stations have been installed at both visitor centers and the Rincon Mountain District bike ramada for visitors to refill their reusable water bottles. A variety of BPA-free waterbottles are available inside the visitor centers. More »

  • Tucson Mountain District (west) road re-opened

    The Golden Gate Road has been re-opened north of Sendero-Esperanza and is is now rated for high clearance vehicles due to the rough nature of the terrain. More »

Cacti / Desert Succulents

Saguaro National Park is home to 25 species of cactus ranging from the towering saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) to the tiniest type of cactus in the park, the mammillaria (Mammillaria spp). The most common cacti species at Saguaro National Park and within Tucson, Arizona include:

Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)

Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii)

Staghorn cholla cactus (Opuntia versicolor)

Pinkflower hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. fasciculatus)

Engelman's prickly pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii)

Teddybear cholla cactus (Opuntia bigelovii)

Chainfruit (jumping) cholla cactus (Opuntia fulgida)

 

The Saguaro Cactus Question and Answer Guide

Did You Know?

The flower of a Staghorn Cholla

Many of the plants of the Sonoran Desert are not only edible, they are great sources of nutrition, including the buds of the Staghorn cholla which is a great source of calcium and magnesium.