Northwest of Tucson, the more popular half of Saguaro National Park protects extensive stands of saguaro cactus as well as ancient petroglyphs, spring wildflowers, and generally gorgeous desert scenery. From I-10 at Cortaro (exit 246), a loop road runs southwest, then back east through rugged, mountainous terrain, which, though popular, is a great place to get a feel for the Sonora Desert landscape. A visitors center (daily; 520/733-5158) has details of the many hikes here, the longest of which winds its way to the 4,687-foot summit of Wasson Peak.
There’s more hiking, plus camping, in the adjacent county-owned Tucson Mountain Park where Old Tucson Studios ($14.95) has movie sets used to film more than 300 movies and TV shows; these days, the “action” is mostly staged gunfights and dance-hall revues.
Tucson Mountain Park is also home to the excellent Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (daily; $9–12; 520/883-2702). Apart from spending a lifetime in the desert itself, there’s really no better place to get a sense of the abundant flora and fauna of the Sonora Desert than this creatively presented zoological park.
From Tucson Mountain Park, Gates Pass Road drops down into Tucson’s main east–west road, Speedway Boulevard.
