Saguaro National Park
Marana, Arizona
Terrain // Dirt Rock | Found On // Campendium
Saguaro Solitude
Connecting with The Monarchs of The Cactus World
Being around these cacti is incredible when you think about it. They’re so goofy looking, each with its own unique shape. But what makes Saguaros incredible is just how old they are. They grow slowly at first—only an inch or so in their first five to ten years. It may be 70 years before they sprout their arms. They reach full height, 40-50 feet, at about age 150, with some reaching 75 feet in height. Wild!
Fun fact: We actually bookended our time in Sun City by staying in Marana. This was a beautiful, remote location not too far away from Saguaro West National Park. For several reasons, it was the perfect spot to hang out for a few days.
It’s pretty remote. Both where we camped, and the National Park was relatively sparse with visitors. We were here the week before Christmas and the second week of the new year.
Saguaro National Park has a bunch of easy-to-navigate trails and scenic drives. This was perfect for me, as I was still recovering from a knee injury, so I had to keep things slow and watch my step.
MOTM Stickers!
One night, while we were here, I was inspired to create Murphys On The Move stickers in anticipation of our next trip. The design was created, proofed, printed, and picked up in less than 24 hours. S/O to the Gloo Factory for such a quick turnaround.
We offered these as a freebie to encourage people to sign up for our newsletter. They also act as an alternative to business cards we can hand out to people we meet on the road!
Where We Stayed
Michael found this gem on Campendium, located in Ironwood Forrest National Monument. It’s called Pipeline Road Dispersed Camping in Marana, Arizona. We loved this spot! It’s secluded and has a great view of mountains in the distance with some killer sunset views. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes from Saguaro West National Park. There are a couple of rough washouts on your way in, but if you take it slow, you should be alright. We explored the area on foot and noticed what looked like a coyote den. We also heard a couple of packs howling at night, a friendly reminder that this is nature and wildlife lives here.
Water & Groceries – Tucson, Arizona, was about a 35-minute drive, so that’s where we stocked up on groceries, water, and a couple In-N-Out burgers 😋.
Monument Land Rules:
Camping is allowed up to 14 days in a 28-day period. You must relocate at least 25 miles away after 14 days.
Campfires must be attended at all times and entirely out upon leaving.
You cannot leave personal property unattended for more than 24 hours.
Cutting live or standing trees is prohibited, but dead and down wood may be used for campfires.
No trash burning.
Food & Drink
The Station Pub & Grill – Not a bad place to eat, but not amazing. The service was VERY slow, but our bartender gets bonus points for making me a decent sangria that wasn’t on the menu. In-N-Out was definitely superior.
Hiking
Waterman Peak Trail
This hike is technically outside the National Park, but only a 15-minute drive from where we were camping. The views from Waterman Peak Trail were insane! It was only a 0.5-mile climb to the top with rocks and mountains all around us. The best part was we were literally the only ones on the trail. Yay for winter hiking! At the peak, signs notify you that you’re right on the edge of the Tohono Oʼodham Indian Reservation.
Desert Discovery Nature Trail
This is a flat, paved, and accessible .5-mile loop through a stand of large saguaros just 1 mile north of the Red Hills Visitor Center. This is a nice little loop with information panels along the route that detail the various vegetation and wildlife that live in the area.
Petroglyphs at Signal Hill
This was an incredibly short, .3-mile trail that led to dozens of drawings etched into the rock that date to the Hohokam period, 450-1450 CE. The trail is unpaved with rock steps and excellent views of the saguaros from above. The petroglyphs were pretty neat. How many figures can you make out in the pictures below?
Bajada Scenic Loop
Since we’re taking it easy this trip because of my injured knee, a loop drive was a great way to check out a ton of Saguaros. This 5-mile loop drive includes Hohokam Road and part of Golden Gate Road. It is unpaved but works excellent for passenger vehicles. There are pull-over spots where you can exit your vehicle to get more of an up-close look at the saguaros.
Resources
National Park Pass
It’s $30 / vehicle to enter Saguaro National Park. If you plan on entering any National Park at least three times in a calendar year, we highly suggest getting an Annual Park Pass. It’s $80 for a whole year (cheaper for seniors), and the pass covers entrance or day-use fees to all National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands for one personal vehicle, including rentals and RVs/motorhomes, plus entry to 2,000 Federal Recreation Sites.
CAMPENDIUM
Campendium is another camping resource we use when looking for free/cheap places to stay. It’s free to use the app, but we have a subscription for $50 a year that provides an ad-free experience and detailed coverage maps you can filter by elevation, public land boundaries, and wildfire and smoke conditions. Plus, you can save your favorite places and trails in the area.
It is a leading online platform for camping enthusiasts, offering a user-friendly interface to discover and review campgrounds across North America. With detailed information, user reviews, and photos, Campendium helps both seasoned travelers and newcomers plan memorable outdoor adventures. If you're into camping, Campendium is basically your go-to sidekick for discovering awesome spots and connecting with a bunch of like-minded outdoor people. Learn more about Campendium.
