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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 »
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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 »
Reptiles
A desert tortoise enjoys fruit from a prickly pear cactus. Saguaro National Park Although all reptiles have dry and scaly skin, they are an extremely diverse class of animals. Some are venomous, such as the western diamond-backed rattlesnake and the Gila monster, both found in Saguaro National Park. Other reptiles, like the tortoises and turtles of the desert, have developed hard shells for protection. Saguaro National Park is home to some of America’s most charismatic reptiles, including Gila monsters, desert tortoises, Western coral snakes, and six species of rattlesnakes. Desert tortoises are most active either in early morning or at dusk (crepuscular); many snakes are either crepuscular or active at night (noctural). The “high season” for seeing reptiles is during and after the summer monsoon rains which come in July and August. Reptiles and amphibians are rarely seen from November through March, although they are occasionally active in these months. Visitors are advised that collecting or molesting any wildlife in the park is not allowed.
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Wildlife Camera Images
Wildlife camera images from a year long mammal study that was conducted at Saguaro National Park from May 2011 to July 2012. Read More
Did You Know?
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.