Saguaro National Park
There are plenty of things to see and do in Saguaro National Park in Tucson, but there are also a few things you should never do. For example, did you know that it’s illegal to climb the saguaros? Or that you shouldn’t feed the wildlife? If you’re not sure what the rules are, or if you’re looking for some tips on how to make the most of your visit to Saguaro National Park, keep reading! We’ll cover all of that and more in this blog post.
Don’t Feed the Animals
This sounds like common sense, but it’s worth mentioning. Don’t feed the animals in Saguaro National Park! Animals in the wild will get sick if you feed them human food. They might also become aggressive towards people because they associate us with getting fed (a bad association). You can help keep wildlife safe by not feeding it and reporting any instances where others are doing so at Saguaro National Park headquarters or visitor center.
Don’t Touch Plants
Saguaros are plants, and some of them grow to be very tall! Even though these cacti look like trees when we see them in pictures on social media posts about visiting Saguaro National Park, these plants don’t appreciate being touched. It’s illegal to climb saguaros or take one down from its place of growth; both actions cause irreparable damage that could kill the plant. Make sure not to touch any other plants as well, including barrel cactus and prickly pear cacti!
Don’t Take Anything with You from Saguaro National Park
It’s illegal to take anything out of the park with you when you leave (this includes rocks or flowers). The rules in place are there for a reason – they keep our parks beautiful so everyone can enjoy them now and into the future! We’ve all heard someone say at one point or another: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” This is true at Saguaro National Park too. Make sure not to disturb wildlife habitat areas by leaving trash behind or moving rocks around.
Don’t Forget Your Camera!
You’ll want to take many pictures at Saguaro National Park, so don’t forget your camera! This is especially true if you’re planning on hiking in the desert – it’s easy to get lost without any landmarks such as buildings or trees for guidance (and sometimes even those aren’t enough!). Remember that taking selfies while hiking isn’t safe either because there are no railings along trails which means one wrong step could mean a tumble down an embankment or into cactus thorns.
Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen and Water Bottle!
It’s easy to think that you won’t be out in the sun for too long, but it’s still important to bring sunscreen with you on any hike at Saguaro National Park. The desert is hot year-round and can get up over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months; this means wearing proper clothing (including hats), drinking water regularly throughout your visit, applying sunscreen before leaving home as well as reapplying it after sweating off what was put on earlier in the day. You’ll also want to make sure not to forget sunglasses!