A Guide to Your Saguaro National Park Elopement
There’s something undeniably enchanting about the Southwest desert. It’s hard to beat those colorful sunsets, mountain ranges stretching out as far as the eye can see, and the iconic saguaro cactus, which only grow in southern Arizona and parts of northwestern Mexico (did you know that?!).
If this sounds like the perfect dreamy, romantic setting, you may want to consider a Saguaro National Park elopement. Nestled in charming, historic, perpetually sunny, and super scenic Tucson, Arizona, the park is accessible year-round and convenient from just about anywhere. Let’s dive into the ins and outs of getting married in Saguaro National Park.
Where is Saguaro National Park?
Saguaro National Park is in Tucson, Arizona, in the far southern portion of the state. However, the park is unique beyond its distinct, namesake cacti — it’s actually split into two separate districts, or units, one on either side of the city.
Saguaro National Park West, officially called the Tucson Mountain District and commonly referred to as Saguaro West, sits on Tucson’s west side. Saguaro National Park East, officially the Rincon Mountain District and commonly called Saguaro East, is just east of the city.
From downtown Tucson, both units of the park are a 30-minute drive and from Phoenix, they’re each about two hours away. The park districts themselves are also one hour from each other. This makes traveling to your Saguaro National Park elopement convenient from anywhere in the state.
Which is better, Saguaro East or Saguaro West?
If you’re considering a Saguaro National Park elopement, one of the biggest questions you probably have is which unit you should choose. While they’re similar and both fantastic, each district has its own unique vibe, as well as pros and cons.
Saguaro East - Tucked into a suburban area on Tucson’s east side, Saguaro East is a bit more accessible. This side of the park has a well-developed, paved scenic loop drive with several overlooks, and it’s a wonderful place to catch the sunset to the west. It’s also about three times the size of Saguaro West and sits at a significantly higher elevation, making for excellent (and a lot more) hiking opportunities.
Saguaro West - If you want to get off the beaten path for your Saguaro National Park elopement, choose the west district. This section of the park feels more remote and is less developed with fewer paved roads, plus it has a notably higher concentration of cacti. That, combined with its lower elevation, results in a scenic, classic Southwestern desert landscape.
How to elope in Saguaro National Park
In order to have a Saguaro National Park elopement, you need to apply for and obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP). You may apply up to one year in advance and the park requires a minimum of four weeks. I highly recommend applying as soon as possible, at least a few months ahead of your elopement date.
There are several important things to know about Saguaro National Park Special Use Permits:
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $100.
Saguaro National Park allows wedding and elopement ceremonies only; no receptions.
The park doesn’t allow many things couples wish to have at their wedding, including tables and chairs; flowers (but you can find some amazing faux bouquet options on Etsy!), arches, and other decorations; amplified sound; signs; and generators.
You’ll have to pick a very specific spot in the park for your elopement. Study park maps and as you look for a standout spot, keep in mind that you may want it to be near parking, restrooms, or easily-accessible trails if you’ll have family or friends in attendance. I’m more than happy to help you scout out the best spots for your Saguaro National Park elopement!
“Exclusive use” of any areas isn’t permitted, which means that other park visitors may be present during your ceremony. Don’t worry, I know some fairly secluded spots in the park!
Park entrance fees are still required for all wedding attendees, including the couple getting married.
Remember, even with a Special Use Permit, all visitors are required to pay entrance fees at Saguaro National Park. The fee is $25 per vehicle, which is good for seven days and applies to both the East and West parks.
If you live locally or plan to visit again, I highly recommend getting a Saguaro National Park annual pass for $45. Or, if you’re a national parks enthusiast in general, an annual America the Beautiful Pass is just $80 and gets you into all the parks in the country, plus several other NPS-managed units, including national monuments, lakeshores, recreation areas, and more.
One final important thing to keep in mind as you plan your Saguaro National Park elopement is to practice Leave No Trace. The 7 Principles of LNT essentially boil down to “leave it better than you found it.” Thinking back to some of the park’s rules about not allowing in real flowers, generators, and tables and chairs, this ties directly into Leave No Trace.
Our national parks protect and preserve some of our most fragile and most important natural resources, and leaving “no trace” behind ensures that it stays that way. When visiting the park (or any park, for that matter!), tread lightly, stay on established trails, don’t leave anything behind including food scraps, and pay close attention to any warnings and guidelines regarding fire restrictions. This is especially important in Arizona!
Saguaro National Park Elopement Packages
All elopement packages include my travel to anywhere in the United States (no hidden or extra fees!), customized location scouting and research, permit assistance, personalized vendor recommendations, unique-to-you + your location activity suggestions, and a customized elopement timeline for your one-of-a-kind wedding day. Every elopement gallery also includes high-resolution digital images with printing rights and a private online gallery to view, print, download, and share your gallery with your family + friends to relive the day with you!
4 Hour ~ $3000
Perfect for the couples who are wanting to take a more simplistic approach to their elopement day. Typically this package is ideal for capturing getting ready, a short hike to the ceremony location, and couples portraits.
8 hour ~ $5000
Perfect for couples wanting a day of adventure like a long hike, off-roading, or traveling to multiple locations. This package is best for telling the complete story of your elopement day. Typically couples who are eloping just the two of them select this package to document their day for friends + family who aren’t in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. The 8-hour package is also ideal for couples bringing friends + family who would like to have their reception captured as well. Your ‘reception’ could be pizza at your Airbnb around a fire with your parents and siblings or a private chef serving you a 3-course meal on a flower-decorated table.
12 Hour ~ $7000
Perfect for couples looking for complete, start-to-finish coverage of their elopement story. This package offers the ultimate storytelling experience. From waking up and having coffee with your partner to roasting marshmallows over a fire after dark. Couples who elope just the two of them often select this package to document their day for the friends + family who are not in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. It’s also ideal for couples bringing guests who would like to document their full day with their guests.
Multi-Day ~ $9000
Perfect for couples wanting a multi-day experience filled with lots of adventure. This package is best if you want to elope in one epic location and also experience another amazing place the following day. An example of this is a Saguaro National Park elopement at sunset and then hiking up to nearby Mt. Lemmon for sunrise the following morning!
What to do in Saguaro National Park
{saguaro west}
- Drive around Bajada Loop Drive: Dirt road, but well-traveled and graded; easily manageable for most vehicles
- Valley View Overlook Trail: An easy 0.8 miles round-trip with beautiful scenery, especially at sunset
- Signal Hill Petroglyphs: Ancient petroglyphs that can easily be seen from a short trail near the Signal Hill picnic area
- Desert Discovery Nature Trail: A very short 0.4-mile paved path that’s dog-friendly and wheelchair-accessible
- Hike to Wassen Peak: A moderately challenging hike to 4,687-foot Wassen Peak, the highest mountain in Saguaro West
- Visit the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum: A unique attraction that’s part museum, part zoo, and part aquarium
{saguaro east}
- Cactus Forest Drive: An 8-mile paved loop drive with lots of scenic overlooks
- Backcountry Camping: Get a camping permit and hike into one of six sites, as there’s no available vehicle camping
- Mica View Trail: A fairly easy 2-mile loop hike through Saguaro East’s “cactus forest”
When to visit Saguaro National Park
While it’s open and beautiful year-round, there are some important things to know about planning a Saguaro National Park elopement in each season.
Winter - By far the best time to visit, with mild, comfortable temperatures and sunny, dry weather. The one thing to be aware of in the winter is that it’s the peak busy season, so there will be more visitors in the park.
Summer - With temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees and very little shade in the park, summer is truthfully not the ideal time to visit. However, if you’re set on a summer elopement, we can plan your activities for sunrise or sunset to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Spring - The desert comes to life in the spring, with wildflowers in bloom and everything turning verdant green. This is a wonderful time in the park, especially if you enjoy hiking. Beware of desert critters, however, coming out of their burrows seeking sunshine!
Fall - There isn’t much fall foliage to see in the park itself, but the weather is gorgeous and crowds are practically non-existent. Plus, nearby Mt. Lemmon is a wonderful leaf-peeping destination!
When to see the Saguaro Cactus flowers bloom: May is the best month to see the stunning flowers bloom on the saguaros. The bloom starts sometime in mid-April and is usually finished by early June, but keep in mind that several natural factors affect the exact dates, including rain amounts and temperature.
Where to stay near Saguaro National Park
Camping in Saguaro National Park
Backcountry camping in Saguaro East
Best Airbnbs near Saguaro National Park
Best Saguaro National Park Upscale Hotels & Resorts
Whether you’re set on a Saguaro National Park elopement, still narrowing down your location options, or not even sure that you want to elope yet, I’d love to chat with you! Contact me to schedule your FREE elopement consultation and let’s get to planning your dream day (in the desert or somewhere else!)!
