Saguaro National Park

ESTABLISHED: 1994 - SIZE: 143 square miles - LOCATION: Southern Arizona (TUCSON) - ANCESTRAL LAND of Thong O’odham Nation. FOR MORE INFORMATION: NPS.GOV/SAGU

Saguaro National Park invites visitors with its breathtaking desert landscapes, dominated by the towering, iconic saguaro cacti that symbolize the American Southwest. Its striking beauty is amplified by colorful sunsets, seasonal wildflower blooms, and the vibrant diversity of desert wildlife.,

Saguaro National Park is not only a symbol of the Southwest but also a living laboratory for understanding desert ecology, a sanctuary for desert life, and a place of spiritual and cultural significance.

The park is named after the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), an emblem of the American Southwest. These towering cacti, which can grow up to 40–60 feet tall and live for over 150 years, thrive in the park.

Saguaro cacti are vital to the desert ecosystem, providing food and shelter for a variety of wildlife.

I’d like to thank Sylvia who made this trip happened. We also got a chance to visit her family in Phoenix. In this trip, we included driving to Tucson and Mt. Lemon staying for the night and two nights in Sonoita.

REFLECTION

Too often, we take things for granted or don’t make time to appreciate the beauty around us. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of national parks—they can feel too restrictive when it comes to exploring. But rules are rules, and we have to follow them.

If only — you can stay for a while or leave whenever you want. Right now, I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be here with Sylvia. It’s a blessing to be in good health, to move freely, and to witness a place like this.

Of course, a short visit isn’t enough to truly know a place. To understand it deeply, you have to immerse yourself, to live there. And that’s not something we can do here.