Saguaro National Park may very well be one of the easiest national parks to access, since it’s considered an urban park geographically separated by Tucson, Arizona. The Rincon Mountain District (RMD) is often referred to as Saguaro East, while the Tucson Mountain District (TMD) is often referred to as Saguaro West.

Regional map of the area around Saguaro National Park / NPS

FYI, use of Google Maps or some other map app on your mobile device is not recommended since these apps often confuse the east and west districts. To make sure you are headed where you intend, type the physical address into your app.

Rincon Mountain District (East)
3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730

Tucson Mountain District (West)
2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743

Flying

If you are flying to Tucson, the two closest commercial airports are:

Tucson International Airport (TUS) - within 22 miles (35.4 kilometers) of Saguaro West’s Red Hills Visitor Center, and 15.9 miles (25.6 kilometers) of Saguaro East’s Rincon Mountain Visitor Center.

Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport (PHX) - the nearest international airport, 103 miles (165.8 kilometers) away from Saguaro West and 129 miles (207.6 kilometers) from Saguaro East.

Driving

Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East)

From the City of Tucson:

• Keep in mind that RVs do not have anywhere to park on the east side.
• Travel east on Broadway to Freeman Road on the city's far east side.
• Turn right on Freeman Road and drive south for 3 miles
• Turn left onto Old Spanish Trail.
• Drive .25 miles southeast on Old Spanish Trail to the park entrance on the left side of the road.

From Interstate 10:

• Exit I-10 at exit # 275 (Houghton Road) and drive north 8 miles
• Turn right on Escalante Road and drive for 2 miles
• Turn left on Old Spanish Trail. The park entrance is on the right in 0.3 miles.

Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West)

From north of Tucson:

• Keep in mind that there is no RV parking on the loop at the west side
• Take I-10 to Avra Valley Road (exit 242) and drive west 6 miles to Sandario Road.
• Turn left (south) on Sandario Road and drive for 14 miles.
• Turn left onto Kinney Road. The Red Hills Visitor Center is 2 miles on your left.

From the center of Tucson:

• Travel west on Speedway Boulevard over Gates Pass to Kinney Road.
  NOTE: Vehicle weight limit 12,000 lbs. Vehicles over 25 feet not recommended. Use directions from north or south of Tucson (above and below).
• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 4 miles.
• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
• Continue north 1 mile on Kinney Road to the Red Hills Visitor Center, on the right.

From south of Tucson:

• From I-19 exit onto Ajo Way (State Route 86) and travel west to Kinney Road.
• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 18 miles.
• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
• Continue north 1 mile on Kinney Road to the Red Hills Visitor Center, on the right.

Once you are within either Saguaro East or West, be aware RVs and trailers longer than 35 feet (10.7 meters), or any vehicle wider than 8 feet (2.4 meters) are not permitted along either district’s loop drives (Cactus Forest Drive - east; Bajada Loop Drive - west).

Because of Saguaro National Park’s proximity to the city of Tucson, there are plenty of lodging, dining, grocery, fuel, and EV charging options.