Tour stop
Saguaro National Park Tour
About The Tour
Explore an iconic landscape of the American Southwest at Saguaro National Park. Hike across wide open vistas, see the remnants of ancient civilizations, and enjoy the unique plant and animal life of the Sonoran Desert. It's a great way to experience Saguaro National Park on your own time and with your own personal guide at your fingertips.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore spectacular saguaro cactus forests on a lovely loop hike, the Brown Mountain Trail.
• Learn about desert adaptations and survival, and perhaps get a peek at a roadrunner while strolling through the Desert Discovery Nature Trail.
• Get close up views of mysterious petroglyphs, believed to be created by the ancient Hohokam culture, at Signal Hill.
• Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, there's something for everybody at this unique institution.
• Enjoy climbing around ancient rock formations at Javelina Rocks, a window into Saguaro's unique geological history.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore spectacular saguaro cactus forests on a lovely loop hike, the Brown Mountain Trail.
• Learn about desert adaptations and survival, and perhaps get a peek at a roadrunner while strolling through the Desert Discovery Nature Trail.
• Get close up views of mysterious petroglyphs, believed to be created by the ancient Hohokam culture, at Signal Hill.
• Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, there's something for everybody at this unique institution.
• Enjoy climbing around ancient rock formations at Javelina Rocks, a window into Saguaro's unique geological history.
About the tour
Explore an iconic landscape of the American Southwest at Saguaro National Park. Hike across wide open vistas, see the remnants of ancient civilizations, and enjoy the unique plant and animal life of the Sonoran Desert. It's a great way to experience Saguaro National Park on your own time and with your own personal guide at your fingertips.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore spectacular saguaro cactus forests on a lovely loop hike, the Brown Mountain Trail.
• Learn about desert adaptations and survival, and perhaps get a peek at a roadrunner while strolling through the Desert Discovery Nature Trail.
• Get close up views of mysterious petroglyphs, believed to be created by the ancient Hohokam culture, at Signal Hill.
• Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, there's something for everybody at this unique institution.
• Enjoy climbing around ancient rock formations at Javelina Rocks, a window into Saguaro's unique geological history.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Explore spectacular saguaro cactus forests on a lovely loop hike, the Brown Mountain Trail.
• Learn about desert adaptations and survival, and perhaps get a peek at a roadrunner while strolling through the Desert Discovery Nature Trail.
• Get close up views of mysterious petroglyphs, believed to be created by the ancient Hohokam culture, at Signal Hill.
• Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! Part zoo, part museum, part botanical garden, part art gallery, there's something for everybody at this unique institution.
• Enjoy climbing around ancient rock formations at Javelina Rocks, a window into Saguaro's unique geological history.
STARTING POINTS
This tour has two parts, each with its own starting point.
- Tucson Mountain District (West): Start on Route 86, west of Tucson.
- Rincon Mountain District (East): Start inside the park on Cactus Forest Loop Drive, near the visitor center.
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 9:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to the Saguaro National Park Tour Preview
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2. The Creation of the Park
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05:33
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3. Amazing Saguaros
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04:38
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4. Abandoned Mines
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02:20
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5. The Detachment Fault
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03:25
Saguaro National Park Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Saguaro National Park Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Javelina Picnic Area (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Freeman Homestead Trail (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Javelina Rocks (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Rincon Mountain Overlook (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Loma Verde Trailhead (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Desert Ecology Trailhead (Saguaro East)
Tour stop
Mica View Picnic Area (Saguaro East)
Meet the Creators
Phil Schoen
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Saguaro National Park Tour
Phil Schoen
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Rayne Warne
Writer & Managing Editor
Favorite Quote:
"Stories are machines inhabited by a god." - Bonnie Friedman
Matt Caracciolo
Writer & Editor
Favorite Quote:
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." --J.R.R. Tolkien
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
Saguaro National Park Tour
$ 14.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Saguaro National Park Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the Saguaro National Park Tour go?
This tour has 18 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!
2. What should I pack for the Saguaro National Park Tour?
Phone charger - very important!
Phone mount
Layered clothing for sun protection and changing desert temperatures
Hiking Clothes
Refillable water bottles - the desert heat can be unpredictable and cause dehydration
Good hiking shoes/sneakers
Sunscreen
Snacks - there are no restaurants in the park
Hats/sunglasses
Camera
Bug Spray
Hand sanitizer
Cash
Birders should bring a bird ID book
Phone mount
Layered clothing for sun protection and changing desert temperatures
Hiking Clothes
Refillable water bottles - the desert heat can be unpredictable and cause dehydration
Good hiking shoes/sneakers
Sunscreen
Snacks - there are no restaurants in the park
Hats/sunglasses
Camera
Bug Spray
Hand sanitizer
Cash
Birders should bring a bird ID book
3. What should I budget for the Saguaro National Park Tour?
Park entry: $25/car
Lunch: $10-20/person (Important: there are no restaurants inside the park.)
Water: $10
Gifts/Souvenirs: $20-50
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: $25/adult, $24.95/youth
Lunch: $10-20/person (Important: there are no restaurants inside the park.)
Water: $10
Gifts/Souvenirs: $20-50
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: $25/adult, $24.95/youth
4. What are the park hours for the Saguaro National Park Tour?
The park is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
5. Can I join the Saguaro National Park Tour en route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
6. Can I take the Saguaro National Park tour in the opposite direction?
No. This tour can only be done in one direction.
7. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s like having a tour guide in your car, sharing stories and local insights as you drive. Unlike other navigation apps, we’ve planned the route for you, so instead of focusing on directions, you can focus on the experience. This means you can’t customize the route, but that’s kind of the point. You’re still in control though, you can skip stops, go at your own pace, and explore freely. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enjoying the journey.
8. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.