We're clinging to spring for dear life as hotter days approach.
Temperatures in the 90s are already upon us. 😢
Since Saturday, April 22 was Earth Day and we haven't quite hit the triple digits yet, we thought we'd make the best of the weather and go wildflower watching before the sun scorches the last of those pretty petals. ☀️
Luckily, as the wildflowers wilt, the cacti blossom.
Here are five places you can snap Insta-worthy shots of the desert in bloom.
1. Saguaro National Park
A view looking northeast from Signal hill in Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District west of Tucson, AZ. Photo taken Friday, August 12, 2016.
Late April is prime time to catch the saguaros flowering (not to mention all the other beautiful blooms you'll see). Most of the saguaro buds haven't quite opened yet, but follow the park's Facebook page to stay up to date.
Explore the national park's two regions — Tucson Mountain District on the west side of town and Rincon Mountain District on the east. You can get into both parks between 7 a.m. and sunset. The visitor centers are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bonus: This is the last weekend of National Park Week. That means you can get in free today, Sunday, April 23. Otherwise, it costs $15 for each vehicle that enters and $5 if you enter by foot or by bike.
To get to the Rincon Mountain District visitor center, head east on Speedway to North Freeman Road and turn right. Then turn left onto South Old Spanish Trail Road until you reach the entrance. To get to Tucson Mountain District visitor center, go west on Speedway (which turns into West Gates Pass Road) until you hit North Kinney Road. Turn right and drive until you get to the entrance. On your way into the west part of the park, you will also pass the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, another place to catch cacti blossoming.
Visit nps.gov/sagu for more information.
2. Reid Park Rose Garden
From left to right George Brin, Connie McDonald and little Liam Whitaker in the stroller, are enjoying their morning strolling through the beautiful roses in the Reid Park Rose Garden.
This is a hidden Tucson gem that you need to see — especially if you're still swooning over "Beauty and the Beast" and that tell-tale rose.
The rose garden at Reid Park is open as of April 1, according to the Friends of the Reid Park Rose Garden. They are magnificent. And free to behold.
To get there, turn east on Concert Place from South Country Club Road (between Broadway and 22nd Street). Head south on Concert Place, past the dog park (Miko’s Corner Playground). Park in front of the Rose Test Garden. Take a stroll through the garden — no cutting the roses! — and find a shady spot to sit under the gazebo in the center.
3. Tucson Botanical Gardens
A butterfly flutters around a citrus tree on the garden grounds, which has 18 exhibits, including butterfly and wildflower gardens.
The botanical gardens at 2150 N. Alvernon Way are beautiful all year, but if you're going to go, go now, when the Iris Garden is known to show off. There are also other gardens with lots of flowers, so you're getting lots of blooms for your buck. Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and members of the military, $7.50 for kids 4 to 17, and free for members and kids 3 and younger.
The garden is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with hours extended until 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
Visit tucsonbotanical.org for more information.
4. Tohono Chul Park
Children stop to smell the flowers at Tohono Chul Park. Kids can attend storytelling in the garden every Tuesday.
You would never know you're basically at the corner of West Ina and North Oracle roads when you're wandering the desert paths of Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N Paseo Del Norte. It's open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and only costs $10 for adults and $3 for kids ages 5 to 12. Students with ID and active military get in for $5 and young children get in free. Worth it.
For more information, visit tohonochulpark.org.
5. Catalina State Park
Cholla cactus blooms frame distant Pusch Ridge in this view from Catalina State Park on Sunday. Photo by Doug Kreutz, Arizona Daily Star
We didn't pick this spot for its fields of wildflowers (that season is about over), but because you can get in get in a workout while admiring the pops of color along the way. Plus, to get there you'll have to drive up North Oracle Road into Oro Valley, which is currently living up to its Valley-of-Gold name. Drive around a bit (or hike up the mountain) and you're sure to catch vistas of the town awash in gold palo verde blossoms.
The park entrance view is $7 for a vehicle with one to four adults and $3 for individuals entering on or bicycle foot. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, visit azstateparks.com/catalina.
