Cactus Forest Drive
Cactus Forest Drive
4.5
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Eight-mile scenic drive in Saguaro East.
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4 within 3 miles
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30 within 6 miles
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- Doug HLakeville, Minnesota376 contributionsNow my favorite loop drive in a national parkReally beautiful 8 mile loop drive. One way road and many opportunities to pull off and do short or long hikes.Excellent experience to get a first look at the environment prior to all the new development in the Tucson area. Glad we bought a national park season pass, we will be back for a sunset drive since the park is open until 8:30p. But a $25 a visit it really pays to have a pass if you’re here for an extended time.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 18, 2024
- Adriana CVancouver, Washington23 contributionsSunday driveSunday drive to Saguaro National Park to enjoy the greenery of the desert after the recent rains. The park was busy with tourists, pedestrians and bicyclists enjoying the blue skies. Plenty of areas to pull off the road to photograph the gorgeous scenery the hiking trailheads were very crowded.Visited February 2024Traveled soloWritten February 20, 2024
- JeanieKKPark City, Utah244 contributionsNice option from hikingWhen you want a break from all the beautiful hikes around the area, this scenic drive in the Rincon mountain district is perfect! Seeing all the saguaro cactus and the many other types of cacti is inspiring. There are pullouts along this 8 mile route so you can get out of your car and take in the views and some photos.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
229 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
55
Average
7
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0
Terrible
1
NYU62
Tucson, AZ18,436 contributions
Apr 2022
On Easter Sunday, we did think that there would be many visitors, but, decided to go anyway. As the Park is so close to where we live, we can go anytime, and we go often. On Easter, the line to drive in snaked all the way back to the entrance gates. We have never, ever seen it this crowded.
However, since the speed limit is 15 miles an hour, and the road has so many pullouts, there was not a problem. The picnic areas were full of happy families, and we saw many people coming back to their cars after a hike. There were many bicycles on the road, and many out of state cars. No cacti are blooming yet, and, this year, due to less rain, the wildflower season is of no consequence.
My husband has a senior pass, so we do not have to pay to get in. But, while waiting in line, I saw a bike rider lined up behind us, and wondered why. Then I saw the sign, which states that for walk ins or bicycles there is a fee of $15.00.
This is, always, a most enjoyable drive, whether it is crowded, or not.
However, since the speed limit is 15 miles an hour, and the road has so many pullouts, there was not a problem. The picnic areas were full of happy families, and we saw many people coming back to their cars after a hike. There were many bicycles on the road, and many out of state cars. No cacti are blooming yet, and, this year, due to less rain, the wildflower season is of no consequence.
My husband has a senior pass, so we do not have to pay to get in. But, while waiting in line, I saw a bike rider lined up behind us, and wondered why. Then I saw the sign, which states that for walk ins or bicycles there is a fee of $15.00.
This is, always, a most enjoyable drive, whether it is crowded, or not.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug H
Lakeville, MN376 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Really beautiful 8 mile loop drive. One way road and many opportunities to pull off and do short or long hikes.Excellent experience to get a first look at the environment prior to all the new development in the Tucson area. Glad we bought a national park season pass, we will be back for a sunset drive since the park is open until 8:30p. But a $25 a visit it really pays to have a pass if you’re here for an extended time.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne
Dallas, TX319 contributions
Sep 2021
We chose this side of the Saguaro National Park because it is in a mountainous area and the scenic drive is paved. We enjoyed the wonderful drive through a few hours before sunset and it was just fantastic! Seeing the density of the saguaros spread out as far as the eye can say in some areas is quite stunning. I enjoyed having opportunities to get out and get close enough to "hug" some for photos as well! We coincidently were there at sunset and saw all the other people come in and set up at the prime locations to get good shots but we managed to get some ourselves. Very nice experience!
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leanne D
20 contributions
Mar 2022
Went thru this drive twice as we loved it so much. My husband is handicapped and for us to be able to drive slowly, plenty of pull offs was fantastic. We didnt see much wildlife but figured March was probably like that. I walked a couple of trails that were great. It was bz but not slammed so i could hear birds, wind, ect. And enjoy the experience. Great staff at the center, nice little gift shop. We had been to the Sonoran desert museum the day before and appreciated the silence, the info at pull outs and little extras that pulled it all together.for us here. If you can only do one or the other by all means, this is the real deal.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeanieKK
Park City, UT244 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
When you want a break from all the beautiful hikes around the area, this scenic drive in the Rincon mountain district is perfect!
Seeing all the saguaro cactus and the many other types of cacti is inspiring.
There are pullouts along this 8 mile route so you can get out of your car and take in the views and some photos.
Seeing all the saguaro cactus and the many other types of cacti is inspiring.
There are pullouts along this 8 mile route so you can get out of your car and take in the views and some photos.
Written March 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin Kelley
Vail, AZ14 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
We moved to Tucson July 31st 2022. The flowers in Saguaro national park right now are amazing. 7% humidity and it rasn't rained in more than a month at least, and everything turned green overnight it seems.
Written April 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adriana C
Vancouver, WA23 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Sunday drive to Saguaro National Park to enjoy the greenery of the desert after the recent rains.
The park was busy with tourists, pedestrians and bicyclists enjoying the blue skies.
Plenty of areas to pull off the road to photograph the gorgeous scenery the hiking trailheads were very crowded.
The park was busy with tourists, pedestrians and bicyclists enjoying the blue skies.
Plenty of areas to pull off the road to photograph the gorgeous scenery the hiking trailheads were very crowded.
Written February 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
islandgurl2
Vancouver Island, Canada887 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
My husband and I loved this 8 mile drive through the mountains and desert of Saguaro National Park East! It’s only 8 miles but we took our time, stopping for photographs, and short walks along the way, it took us over 3 hours to get all the way around. The Saguaro are mystical, magical, and for me, spiritually moving. The desert forest is so very different from anything we’ve ever seen and we revelled in this discovery. I highly recommend it! I especially enjoyed the mica view picnic area, and suggest the short mica view trail hike for an easy, short hike, and immersive experience. Loved it!!! Don’t miss the crested saguaro to the left of the outhouse at the picnic area.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vcedell
Clyde, NY1,680 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
My husband and I flew into Tucson And drove to this park. It was in the afternoon and very hot out. This drive is a great way to see the park without having to get out into the heat. We did stop at the visitor center and two small hikes. Beautiful scenery.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYU62
Tucson, AZ18,436 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We live within five miles of Saguaro National Park East, and so have made many, many trips along Cactus Forest Drive. Have gone at different times of the day, and different times of the year, and have always appreciated the beauty and the grandeur of the landscape.
This paved road is eight miles long, and there are many turnout and pullouts for picture taking, or just stopping to take a deep breath in awe. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour, and all the times we have gone, other drivers have been respectful of that. You can drive slowly, and absorb the spectacular surroundings. To get the full effect, try not to catch up with the car ahead of you, as the road is narrow, and much of your vision front and center will be blocked by the other vehicle. Better to use a pullout, and let them put some distance between you.
This road is so calming, and for us has been therapeutic. When our hearts were breaking as a cherished pet, who loved going for car rides, was dying, we took him on his very last ride through the Park on November 14th. He still so enjoyed looking out the window. That drive calmed us for what was to come, and dear little Beau passed away the next day.
This Park is like a Sanctuary, a sacred and safe place, and the Cactus Forest Drive takes you right through it. One can find comfort and solace here.
This paved road is eight miles long, and there are many turnout and pullouts for picture taking, or just stopping to take a deep breath in awe. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour, and all the times we have gone, other drivers have been respectful of that. You can drive slowly, and absorb the spectacular surroundings. To get the full effect, try not to catch up with the car ahead of you, as the road is narrow, and much of your vision front and center will be blocked by the other vehicle. Better to use a pullout, and let them put some distance between you.
This road is so calming, and for us has been therapeutic. When our hearts were breaking as a cherished pet, who loved going for car rides, was dying, we took him on his very last ride through the Park on November 14th. He still so enjoyed looking out the window. That drive calmed us for what was to come, and dear little Beau passed away the next day.
This Park is like a Sanctuary, a sacred and safe place, and the Cactus Forest Drive takes you right through it. One can find comfort and solace here.
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chippewab
Duanesburg, New York
how long is Cactus Forest Drive? If we took our time, with a couple stops, approximately how long would it take?
Written May 30, 2018
Depending on time of day I'd say 90 min or so, especially if you want to get out at the overlooks
Written June 2, 2018
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