Crowding affects Saguaro National Park
Tucson, AZ - Saguaro National Park is experiencing a surge in visitation and is encouraging visitors to come early, or late, or to avoid weekends if possible.
“The weather is great, many schools are out on spring break, and we are seeing record visitation in both districts of the park," according to Chief Ranger Ray O’Neil. “The visitor center parking lot in the Rincon Mountain District, on the east side of the city, has been particularly busy, as has the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. “
Several parking lots and pullouts along the east side loop drive have been filling daily. To avoid crowds, park officials are encouraging visitors to plan to come before 10am or after 3pm. Early hikes and sunsets are beautiful times of day to visit the park.
To reduce traffic in the parking lots, the park has also worked to make it easier for visitors to pay entrance fees ahead of their visit or from trailheads so that they do not need to come to the visitor centers to pay their fees.
Visit https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/ways-to-pay-fees.htm, for more information about how to save time by paying fees remotely.
Chief Ranger O’Neil continued, “It is a great time for a visit, but please come prepared with some patience and a plan B, just in case there isn’t parking available at that trailhead."
Visitor centers are open from 9am to 5pm daily. The Cactus Forest Loop Drive is open to vehicles from dawn to dusk daily. The rest of the park is open 24 hours. Entrance fees apply to enter the park from any trailhead and are $20 per vehicle, $15 per motorcycle, or $10 for individual hikers / bikers. The fee is good for 7 days in both districts of the park.
For more information about Saguaro National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/sagu.
-www.nps.gov-
Andy L. Fisher
Chief of Interpretation and Education
Saguaro National Park
3693 S. Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 84730
office: 520 733 5139
cell: 520 820 2567
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
