Where To See Saguaro Cactus Near Phoenix?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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South Mountain Park & Preserve

, just a few miles south of downtown Phoenix, is one of the largest municipal park in the United States. Throughout the multiple trails and peaks of the park, you’ll find saguaro cactus that have been growing there for years.

Where can I find tall cactus in Arizona?


Tucson, Arizona

is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson.

Are there saguaro cactus in Scottsdale?


The tallest known saguaro is located in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, Scottsdale and many other towns

, and it comes in at over 45 feet tall. Because the saguaro is such an important part of the Sonoran Desert landscape, many protective measures have been put into place to insure their survival.

Where is the largest saguaro cactus in Arizona?

The tallest saguaro ever measured was an armless specimen found near

Cave Creek, Arizona

. It was 78 ft (23.8 m) in height before it was toppled in 1986 by a windstorm.

Can you see saguaro cactus in Sedona?

You need to drive south of Sedona for about an hour on I-17.

You’ll start to see them after you pass Sunset Point and begin to descend into Black Canyon City

. They don’t grow above 3,000 feet asl and still only in specific desert environments.

Are saguaro cactus only in Arizona?

While the saguaro cactus has become a symbol of the American West, the saguaro cactus will only grow in the Sonoran desert. As a desert indicator species,

the range of the saguaro cactus is limited to southern Arizona

.

Where is the saguaro cactus in Scottsdale?

My favorite local crested saguaro is found

on a loping, scenic trail in North Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve

. This outstanding specimen is a regal double crest, and is located at the junction of the Coyote Canyon and Desperado Trails.

Are there 2 saguaro national parks?


Saguaro is really two parks

. Saguaro National Park consists to two “districts,” one to the east of Tucson and one to the west. Although separated by only 30 miles, these districts are different both geologically and biologically.

How much is my saguaro cactus worth?

Saguaro cactus costs about $100 per foot, with average prices ranging from

$20 to $2,000

in the US for 2020 according to DFRanchandGardens. osieOnTheHouse says, “The smaller the saguaro, the less it will cost. But generally, they go for about $100 or more a foot if they are just spears and are in excellent condition.

Where can you see cactus in Arizona?

  • Catalina State Park (Tucson) …
  • Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior) …
  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson) …
  • Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction) …
  • Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix) …
  • Saguaro National Park (Tucson)

What is special about the saguaro cactus?

Saguaros are

the largest cactus species in the U.S.

—they can grow more than 40 feet tall. (The largest species in North America is the giant cardon cactus, which grows in parts of Mexico.) 2. A typical saguaro can live between 100-200 years.

What animal eats saguaro cactus?

Many animals eat the Saguaro Cactus; the

Long-Nosed bat, bees, wasps, ants, and butterflies

drink the nectar of the Cactus flower. Small animals such as the Pack Rat, and Pocket Mice will come to eat the Cactus.

Can you touch a saguaro cactus?

A. No, cactus spines are not poisonous, nor venomous, but

puncture sites can become infected just like any other kind of wound

. Take caution with what you touch!

What is the tallest cactus in Arizona?


The saguaro

is the tallest cactus in the United States and its distinctive form is recognized worldwide as an icon of the American Southwest. Saguaros are extremely slow-growing, as a plant may be only six inches high after 10 years, and barely two meters tall after 30 years.

Where is the saguaro cactus between Phoenix and Sedona?

If you are driving south from Sedona, you’ll see them after a little more than an hour.

Drive south from Sedona on I-17

for a little over an hour. Shortly after you pass Sunset Point and begin the descent to Black Canyon City you’ll see thousands of Saguaros. They seem to stop growing above the 3,000 foot asl level.

What is there to see from Phoenix to Sedona?

  • Rock Springs Cafe. A self-proclaimed “great wonder” of Arizona, Rock Springs Cafe is the oldest independently owned restaurant still operating in the state. …
  • Arcosanti. …
  • Montezuma Castle National Monument. …
  • Cottonwood & Verde Valley Wine Trail. …
  • Jerome.

Are there cactuses in Sedona Arizona?

Weaving in and out of the landscape are

fruit-bearing prickly pear cactus, chubby round barrel cactus, and the dreaded jumping cholla

(whose evil needles long to cling to bewildered human and animal skin). This gives way to a more lush landscape of evergreens intermingled with a stubborn cactus here and there.

Is it illegal to take dead saguaro cactus in Arizona?

Again,

cactus skeletons (or any dead plant or plant parts) are not protected under the Arizona native plant law

. However, we encourage that at least verbal permission be obtained from the landowner before entering private property.

Are there saguaro cactus in Joshua Tree National Park?


The local neighborhoods around Joshua Tree have saguaros that are grown as garden plants

so it can be extra confusing. Drive along the highway to the west entrance, you’ll see a transplanted saguaro or two.

Does New Mexico have saguaro cactus?

The saguaro cactus is the symbol of Arizona and

does not grow in New Mexico

. The artist who created them is from New York.

How rare is a crested saguaro cactus?

Cristate saguaros are

fairly rare

. Scientists once estimat- ed that for every 200,000 normal cacti, there is only one abnormal crest. Originally there were thought to be less than 200 of these abnormalities in existence.

Why do saguaro cactus only grow in Arizona?

Experts say two factors keep the desert giants from expanding into the Mojave —

temperature and rainfall

. Las Vegas gets a few too many days below freezing for saguaros to thrive. Then there’s the rain, or lack of it. Tucson, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, averages about 12 inches of rain a year.

Which is better saguaro West or East?

The eastern section is larger and more mountainous, the western portion is lower in elevation and boasts a denser saguaro forest. The east has more hiking trails and is the only region where backpacking is allowed,

the west is the better choice if time is short

.

Is Mt Lemmon in Saguaro National Park?

Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,159 feet (2,792 m), is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the

Coronado National Forest

north of Tucson, Arizona, United States.

How many days do you need in Saguaro National Park?

We recommend spending

1-2 days

in Saguaro National Park. There are so many fun places to explore and things to do in Saguaro National Park. If you want to go at a slower pace, you can take an extra day to explore the park and add in a stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.