Program Descriptions for Saguaro National Park Rincon District (East)

Call the visitor center at [phone] to make a reservation.  Schedules are subject to change. Check at the VisitorCenter for current schedules.  

1933 to TODAY: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK- 2 HOUR, 1 MILE HIKE    Join Park Ranger Arlo Ogden on a historic hike down the Shantz Trail. Learn who Homer Shantz was, as well as how he helped make Saguaro National Park the great attraction it is today. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water.

A TASTE OF THE DESERT- 1 HOUR PRESENTATION
Join Park Ranger Katy Hooper in the visitor center auditorium and explore the many uses of our Sonoran Desert plants, some of which are quite tasty! Program is accessible

ALL GROWN UP: THE SAGUARO LIFE CYCLE- 30 MINUTE, GARDEN WALK       Join a park ranger in the Cactus Garden to experience the exciting life cycle of the saguaro cactus.  Program is accessible.

AMBUSHED ON THE JAGUAR TRAIL- 1 HOUR, PRESENTATION      Join naturalists and authors Jack and Anna Mary Childs in the Visitor Center for a glimpse into the personal lives of 25 species of wildlife (including humans) that make their homes in Southeastern Arizona and were “ambushed” by the hidden cameras of the Borderlands Jaguar Detection Project. Reservations can be made by calling 733-5153.  Program is accessible.

BUT IT’S THE DRY HEAT-45 MINUTE, GARDEN WALK       Join Park Ranger Christina Heupel to learn about monsoons and super droughts.  Marvel at how desert critters adapt to an ever-changing climate. This 45 minute program will be held in the cactus garden. Program is accessible.

CACTUS CARAVAN- 1 HOUR AUTO TOUR
Begin your exploration of the Cactus Forest Drive with a park ranger and become familiar with some of the common cacti. A great introduction to the park! Program is accessible.

DESERT ADAPTATIONS- 30 MINUTE GARDEN WALK
Join a park naturalist to discover how plants and animals adapt to life in the desert. Program is accessible.

DESERT BIRD WALK- 2 HOUR, 1 MILE WALK       Join a naturalist as we look for the birds that call Saguaro National Park home. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and binoculars.

DESERT DISCOVERY- 2 HOUR 1-2 MILE WALK
Join a park naturalist on this exploration into the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and binoculars.

DESERT MORNING HIKE- 3 HOUR 4 MILE HIKE
Join a park naturalist on an exploration hike into Saguaro National Park. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water and a trail snack.

DESERT TALES- 2 HOUR, 2 MILE HIKE

Storytelling was an important way for the ancient desert people to teach their children about the world around them. Join a park naturalist for an easy hike through the desert with several stops to listen to some of the intriguing tales of the desert.

EXPLORING THE DESERT- 2 HOUR, 1 MILE HIKE

Join Park Ranger Laura Bolyard on the Freeman Homestead Trail to learn about the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water.  (Great program for kids.)

EXPLORING ARIZONA’S NATIONAL TREASURES- 1 HOUR PRESENTATION
Arizona is home to many beautiful and fascinating national park areas. How many can you name? Join Park Ranger Katy Hooper in the visitor center auditorium for a virtual tour of these special places. Advanced reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 733-5153. Program is accessible.

GATHERING THE DESERT- 30 MINUTE GARDEN WALK
Join a park ranger in the Cactus Garden to learn how desert plants have been used for food, shelter, and clothing. Program is accessible.

HUMMINGBIRDS OF SOUTHEAST ARIZONA- 1 HOUR PRESENTATION
Join park naturalists in the visitor center auditorium to learn about the hummingbirds found in the Sonoran Desert, those who live here year-round and those who will be migrating back to the area soon. Program is accessible.

IN LOVE WITH WILDLIFE- 45 MINUTE PRESENTATION
What types of animals call Saguaro National Park home? Join biologist Matt Caron in the visitor center auditorium for a look at desert wildlife. Come see what our remote cameras caught on film! Program is accessible.

IN SEARCH OF WILDLIFE- 45 MINUTE PRESENTATION
Join Park Ranger Katy Hooper in the Visitor Center Auditorium on the search for wildlife in Saguaro National Park. Program is accessible.

NIGHT WALK *- 2 HOUR, 1 MILE WALK     Experience the magic of the desert night with a park ranger. Bring water and a flashlight and dress for the weather. Advance registration is required.

PARK HISTORY 101- 2 HOUR 2 MILE HIKE
A hike down memory lane. Join park ranger Arlo Ogden on a two mile, two hour hike to discover some of the unique history of Saguaro National Park. Trails and topics change weekly.

PREHISTORIC PEOPLES IN THE SONORANDESERT-ONGOING PATIO TALK
Stop by the visitor center patio and join Volunteer Walter Coe for an exploration into the prehistory of this area; learn who lived here over a thousand years ago and what they used for food, clothing, and shelter. This is an on-going, informal presentation. Program is accessible.

ROCK AND ROLL IN THE PARK- 2 HOUR, AUTO TOUR     Join Park Ranger Christina Heupel for a Geological Caravan.  Learn everything from the volcanic history of the area to what type of rocks lie beneath our feet.  See how geology impacts the lives of every living creature.  This 2 hour drive features multiple stops along the scenic loop.  Program is accessible.

THE SAGUARO NURSERY- ½ MILE WALK MEET AT THE VISITOR CENTER, DRIVE OWN CAR TO TRAILHEAD
Join a park ranger for a stroll through a desert garden where a new forest of giant saguaros is being born. Along the way we’ll see all aspects of the saguaro like cycle, from birth to death and back to life again.

SONORAN LIFESTYLES- 1 ½ HOUR 1 MILE WALK
Join a park naturalist to explore the lifestyles of plants, animals and humans who have made a home here. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water and a trail snack.

SUNSET AND MOONLIGHT HIKE- 6 HOUR 5 MILE HIKE
This six hour, 5-mile hike climbs 800 feet into the Rincon Mountain foothills for views of a desert sunset and a decent under the full moon. Wear sturdy hiking boots, dress for the weather, bring a trail dinner, plenty of water and a flashlight. Advanced reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153.   Participants will be mailed directions and more detailed program information. 

SURVIVING THE SONORAN DESERT- 1 ½ HOUR, 1-1 ½ MILE HIKE      Join Park Ranger Christina Heupel to learn about the 10 universal essentials to survival in the desert.  Learn how Native Americans, cowboys, and other groups of people survived.  Most importantly learn what 10 things you carry in your backpack can save your life. This will be an hour and a half walk through the desert.  Please bring water and appropriate clothing.

THE DESERT CURES­- 2 HOUR, 2 MILE HIKE     Join a park naturalist for this easy hike in the desert to identify and discuss how desert plants were used in making traditional medicines.