Friends of Saguaro National Park

Today is Arizona Gives Day and Friends is raising funds and awareness to support the Mule Packing Program at Saguaro National Park. Currently, the Park has eight mules Big Boy, Trigger, Chico, Shorty, Red, Ruby, Bodie and PeeWee. Please help Friends purchase a new mule and allow PeeWee to retire.

https://www.azgives.org/organization/friendsofsaguaro

The Mule Packing Program is vital for Saguaro National Park. Almost eighty percent of the Park is congressionally designated Wilderness, where gas or electric powered vehicles are prohibited. To complete trail work, research projects and fire management in these remote areas, mules are used to haul the supplies, gear and equipment.

Support Friends of Saguaro National Park on Arizona Gives About UsFriends of Saguaro National Park is the official nonprofit philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, created to help preserve, protect and enhance the fragile environment and unique cultural heritage of the Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park. We help...

Arizona Gives Day is here! Today Friends is raising funds and awareness to support the Mule Packing Program at Saguaro National Park. The funds raised today will support the retirement of one of our mules, PeeWee!

https://www.azgives.org/organization/friendsofsaguaro

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who love working outdoors and learning about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem! This Next Generation Ranger position will focus on wildfire fuel reduction through invasive plant management.

Start date: June 15th, 2026
End date: December 4th, 2026 (with possibility to extend an additional 6 months)
Pay: $19.89/hour, Full-time at 40 hours per week.

Our crew typically works four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday. No specific prior skills are required — just an interest in the natural world, a positive attitude, and experience working or recreating outdoors in high-temperature environments. While invasive plant management will be the primary focus, you’ll have opportunities to support a variety of other resource projects as needs arise.

If you’re passionate about conservation and eager to gain hands-on experience in desert ecology, we’d love to have you on the team! More info can be found on our website.
To apply or request more information, send your resume or questions to us at [email protected]

Swing by tomorrow night and enjoy Tucson's dark skies at our Saguaro Star Party!

This event will take place on March 27th, starting at 7:30pm and ending at 9:30pm, at the Desert Research Learning Center (12661 East Broadway Boulevard). Parking will be along the side of the road towards the east end of Broadway Blvd, just past the Broadway trailhead. Drop in at any time!

The star party will feature telescopes run by night sky experts from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, as well as informal activities for all ages led by rangers throughout the night.
Bring your own flashlights for easier navigation. Carpooling is encouraged. For more information, please call the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153.

Swing by and enjoy Tucson's dark skies at our upcoming Saguaro Star Party. This event will take place on February 20th, starting at 7pm and ending at 9pm, at the Desert Research Learning Center (12661 East Broadway Boulevard). Parking will be along the side of the road towards the east end of Broadway Blvd, just past the Broadway trailhead. Drop in at any time!

The star party will feature telescopes run by night sky experts from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, as well as informal activities for all ages led by rangers throughout the night.
Bring your own flashlights for easier navigation. Carpooling is encouraged. For more information, please call the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153.

Come celebrate the final full moon of 2025 at Saguaro National Park! Learn about our designation as an Urban Night Sky Park, then enjoy live flute music as the full moon rises over the Tucson Mountains. Telescopes will also be available for moon viewing. Seating is limited, so please bring a comfortable chair and dress warm!

Moon Over the Mountains
Date: Thursday, December 4th, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Red Hills Visitor Center
2700 N. Kinney Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85743

No reservation required

We want to extend a big shoutout to those who work when we all do not. Even during times when the buildings are closed, there are still maintenance, visitor protection, and other staff members on site to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time outside. Thank you for your continued commitment to our public lands, we are very grateful!

Traveling by RV? Here are some things to know before you go.

With the busy season upon us, it’s important to plan ahead if traveling in a larger vehicle. Being sure to know the length of your vehicle, and where it can and cannot go will help ensure a smooth vacation and avoid unneeded stress.

The loop drives in the park have vehicle length restrictions due to terrain. Exceeding the length restrictions will result in damaged vehicles, as well as damaging/impeding the roadway. This is not only bad for the vehicle owner but also impedes the roadway for other visitors as well as rescue personnel.

Over at the Rincon Mountain District (east side), the max length for a vehicle on the loop drive is 40ft. There is no parking in the lot available for RVs or trailers, as well as no turnaround location. Once pulled in, the RV must go through the loop drive. If it exceeds the length restrictions it will need to reverse out of the parking lot. The trailhead along Broadway can accommodate RVs and trailers.

For the Tucson Mountain District (west side), the max length for a vehicle on the loop drive is 26ft. The loop drive on the west side is all gravel. The parking lot at the visitor center has spaces on the southern end for larger" vehicles and trailers. There are also a few trailheads with enough space, such as King Canyon Trailhead.