A Cactus Collective | Best of National Parks

National Parks have quickly become the backbone of our new life— they are our nomadic True North. (Yes, I realize a “nomadic True North” does no good to anyone, but I’m going to ignore it and suggest you do, too.) While in Tucson, we visited our third for 2025– Saguaro National Park. Truth be told, I assumed it would be a visit-for-the-sake-of-visiting-it’ll-be-a-notch-in-the-old-bedpost (we’re married, that’s the sort of notches we get these days) kinda visit, as the park seemed, online at least, in a word: lame. (Please forgive me, Park Rangers of Saguaro NP, I don’t mean it.) Saguaro NP was, in fact, not “lame” and instead a reminder that all National Parks visited will be making my “Best Of” for one reason or another. (Also, it was a good reminder that assumptions can be lame, and I am lame for mine regarding Saguaro NP.) They’re National Parks for a reason, and Saguaro NP deserves to be on your list just as much as the others.

Saguaro National Park is named after the over two MILLION saguaro cacti (“cactuses” is also proper usage, grammar police unite!) living there. I grew up in Missouri and have lived on both coasts and admittedly, I had never been a fan of this particular cactus. I think it was because I had no proper frame of reference. Sure, they’re an iconic symbol of the American Southwest, but they’re also crudely depicted in many cartoons, business logos, and other illustrations. I hang my head in shame and admit that’s what took up residence in my brain. I didn’t give these Saguaros the bowdown they deserve. They are MAGESTIC! These beasts can be hundreds of years old and between 40-60 feet tall! I cannot express fully how jaw-dropping these hulking yet jovial plants are in the wild. Many have branches, or “arms,” which start growing between 50-70 years of age. Surrounded by so many, it gave the impression of being welcomed and guided. A commune of cacti! Some groupings looked like waving couples, with their arms lovingly around one another. (A few throuples even, we don’t judge.) Some looked like wise elders, overlooking their flock, while others gave off class clown vibes, keeping things light. Together, these Saguaros looked like a peaceful community that definitely comes (further) to life when nobody is watching. By the end of our 8-mile hike, we’d had countless conversations with them. (They aren’t great conversationalists, be warned.)

The Saguaro cacti (excuse me, I have to yell again, OVER TWO MILLION!) were the stars of the show, but there was so much more that made this park special. Hiking is a beloved pastime for so many of us. Reasons vary almost as much as the terrains hiked, but I love a long hike that you ultimately are ready to end. A hike that reminds us that physical discomfort can be welcome and that accomplishing a beginning-to-end goal with no other objective than feeling invigorated, exhausted, and content is a worthy use of time and effort. I like knowing these bones can answer the call when needed! We clocked in almost nine miles from start to finish and gained nearly 2000 feet in elevation. The air was thin, the sun intense, the shade absent, the views gorgeous. The saguaros against the sky and mountains are breathtaking. For much of the hike, Colan and I didn’t even speak. We were too immersed in the quiet—the Vast. We felt like we had the place to ourselves most of the time, which was particularly appreciated considering our constant communing with the cacti. I found the whole experience mesmerizing.

This humble National Park is not a one-and-done for us, and we’ll be returning any time we’re in the area. There aren’t many places on this earth where my husband is quiet and allows me to live in my head, so there’s that. But also? We loved how all those Saguaros invited us in and made us family for a spell. As long as they’ll have us back, we’ll be visiting. 

Hope to see you out there!—CL