Much To Do In Saguaro National Park Throughout April

There's a lot going on in Saguaro National Park throughout the month of April. Photo by QT Luong, www.terragalleria.com/parks, used with permission.

With spring's arrival, the folks at Saguaro National Park are scheduling more and more activities to show off the park to visitors. Here's the latest schedule of events for April. Programs are offered at both the Tuscon Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District. Interpretive programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Program schedules are subject to change – call the visitor centers for schedule updates or for reservations.

Special Programs at Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) include:

April 9 & 16 -- 5:15 p.m. Silhouettes at Sundown

2.5 miles, 3-hour hike. Trek along an arroyo as the setting sun magically silhouettes the Southwest’s most famous icon – the giant saguaro. Reservations required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

April 10 3:00 p.m. Cacti of the Desert Southwest

Discover the enormous variety of cacti found in our region and enjoy images of their colorful flowers with guest speaker naturalist Meg Quinn from Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation. Program is wheelchair accessible.

April 25 5:30 p.m. Moon Take Night Make Day Hike

2½ miles, 3 hours. Hikers on this gentle, relatively flat, 2½-mile hike travel up a desert wash during the transition from day to night, enjoy the sunset atop a hill, then return under the moonlight. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5158.

April 28 8:10 p.m. Moonrise Over the Mountains

45 minute patio talk. Relax around a campfire on the visitor center patio as the full moon rises above the cactus forest. Bring a lawn chair and warm clothing. No reservations required. Program is wheelchair accessible.

April 24 7:30-1:30 Junior Ranger Day Camp at Saguaro NP West

In celebration of Junior Ranger Day, a Junior Ranger program will be offered for kids 6 to 12 years old. The half-day camp includes a variety of fun, hands-on activities such as hikes, exploring the great outdoors, tracking the elusive desert tortoise, looking for awesome animals and their tracks, searching for secret stuff on a scavenger hunt, games, crafts, making fabulous friends, and just having a good time. For more detailed information, or to sign up, please contact Ranger Chip Littlefield at 733-5157, or email him at . As space is limited reservations are required.

Special Programs offered at the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) include:

April 8 7:00 p.m. Star Party

Join park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be available. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153. Program is wheelchair accessible.

April 9 & 23 7:00 p.m. Night Walk

1 mile, 2 hours. Join a park naturalist for this easy 2-hour hike to explore and experience the Sonoran Desert at night. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and a flashlight. As space is limited, reservations are required, and can be made by calling 733-5153.

April 15 7:00 p.m. Living With or Without Reptiles

Join naturalist Bob Brander in the visitor center auditorium to learn about the biology of Sonoran Desert reptiles, and how we can share this desert with them. Program is wheelchair accessible.

April 20 7:00 p.m. Back from the Brink

What do you mean there were grizzly bears in Arizona? Join a park ranger in the visitor center auditorium to explore the natural history of the grizzly (and two other top predators) that once roamed in what is now Saguaro National Park. We will take a look at their past, present and future status in the American Southwest. Program is wheelchair accessible.

Daily Programs

The park’s two districts offer additional daily interpretive programs not listed here. Contact either of our visitor centers for updated schedules, or visit our website online at http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/things2do.htm.