Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit. It has two sides, the east side and the west side.

Saguaro National Park East has a beautiful hiking loop called Desert Ecology Trail. The easy trail is . of a mile and paved. There are lots of signs to read and learn about wildlife and plants. Many different levels of trails are open for different skilled hikers.

Want to have some quiet time? Saguaro National Park is the perfect place for you. Our family set a timer for 1 minute and enjoyed the sounds of nature. We heard birds and the wind blowing through the palo verde trees.

There is lots of wildlife. You could see javelina, lizards, hawks and woodpeckers. We saw a coyote behind a small shrub. If you want to see some wildlife, ask a park ranger about sightings so you know where to look for some animals.

The west side of Saguaro National Park has unique cacti. We saw a cactus that was bent at the top and had no arms at all, quite a few cacti that were skinny at the top, and a prickly pear pad shaped like a heart.

There is so much to see at Saguaro National Park! The west side also has some petroglyphs. They are located on a hiking trail called Signal Hill. It is half a mile and has a stunning view at the top. If you would like a harder trail there are lots to choose from.

The Visitor Center on the west side is small but fascinating. There is an example of the inside of a saguaro and what a bird’s home inside a cactus looks like. The Visitor Center leads to an easy trail that is wheelchair accessible.

The east and west sides are both amazing places to visit and explore. Saguaro National Park is truly a wonderful place to visit. There is something for everyone!

PHOTO: JM