Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District has reopened due to sufficient rainfall in the Rincon Mountains. Please use caution when entering the back-country as air temperatures are still very hot and monsoon storms still bring the risk of lightning. For more information, see News Releases. 

Every 10 years, Saguaro National Park leads a “Saguaro Census” of the park’s namesake cactus.  This effort helps us keep track of the health of the park’s saguaro population and coincides with the U.S. Census.  As the United States counts its citizens, we count our saguaros!  This year’s census has begun, and uses many volunteers. Find out more on our Saguaro Census Page.

l bolyard, nps

Outdoor family expo highlights National Parks in Arizona

Outdoor Family Expo Highlights National Parks in Arizona

An event celebrating National Parks in Arizona took place on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson on August 29, 2009. The expo, hosted by Arizona Public Media, in collaboration with the Morris K. Udall Foundation, Friends of Saguaro National Park, and Western National Parks Association was focused on getting families outside and enjoying the National Parks in Arizona and nation-wide. All activities were free of charge to the public. The expo featured a variety of kid-friendly activities for children of all ages. A sneak peak at the PBS film “The National Parks – America’s Best Idea”by Ken Burns was shown indoors at Centennial Hall. Following the screening was a panel discussion, “Community Conversation: The State of the National Parks.” Participants for the panel included Congressman Raul Grijalva of Arizona; Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Saguaro National Park; and Steve Martin, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. The event was highly successful and turnout was great.  Arizona Public Media estimated that over 1500 people attended the event.

l bolyard, nps

Community Conversation: The State of the National Parks

National Park sites from around the state were represented at the expo, including Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Petrified Forest National Park, Pipe Spring National Monument, Saguaro National Park, Tonto National Monument, and Tumacacori National Historical Park. Some of the activities included adobe brick making, gourd painting, weaving, tortoise tracking, and much more.  

For additional information contact Bob Love at Saguaro National Park. Bob can be reached at (520) 733-5110.

NPS Photo

Buffelgrass is an aggressive, non-native grass that competes with native plants such as saguaros and palo verdes, and also carries wildfires that can harm these Sonoran Desert natives.

Saguaro National Park to Begin Spraying Buffelgrass

Park Trail Plan Approved – Implementation Plan Announced

National Park Centennial Initiative



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To view all Saguaro National Park news releases, click on the "News Releases" link above.

For updates on park fire activity, see Fire Updates.