Your journey through West Saguaro National Park starts in Tucson. As you drive, dig into the secrets behind the park’s majestic mountains. Learn how they began as mere mud and hear about the tectonic changes that shaped them. Then see the Old Tucson Theme Park, a movie set turned into a totally unique theme park.

Next, stop at the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for enchanting views of Tucson’s ancient rock formations. You’ll meet Thomas Gates, the pass’s namesake and hear about his eclectic life as a pioneer, gambler, entrepreneur, and prison superintendent. As the journey continues, take in the grand Saguaro cacti. Uncover how they sustain the park’s wildlife, and how the Tohono O’odham once used these iconic succulents! The next stop is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring all kinds of exhibits about the natural wonders of the desert.

Get to know rugged homesteaders like Emilio Carillo, whose successful cattle ranch attracted a rather greedy gang and nearly cost him his life. For more drama, you’ll learn about the area’s mining history and unearth stories full of embezzlement, greed, and kidnapping! Speaking of wildlife, you’ll also get some ferocious facts about the local mountain lions. As you continue, you’ll reach the Cactus Forest Trail, an incredible path through the park’s famous cacti. Stop by the scenic Riparian Overlook, then continue on to the famously beautiful Tanque Verde Ridge Trail. Your tour concludes here.

Learn about the formation of the majestic mountains
Marvel at the grand Saguaro Cactus
Dig into true stories of history, grit, and greed
Hear about ancient tribes and their fascinating culture
Find out about the park's rich wildlife from mountain lions to javelina

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do not wait until you are onsite
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
This tour is valid for an entire year - from the moment of booking. You can use it multiple times over multiple trips
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Audio-guided tour
Downloadable APP
Digital guidebook

Food and drinks
Entrance fees
Transportation

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, USA

Meeting point:

This is a self-guided experience and not an entrance ticket. The West Saguaro portion of the tour begins at the GPS-marked starting point next to 4960 W Ajo Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85757, USA. The East Saguaro portion begins at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson.