Saguaro National Forest
Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum
The name, for me, was a misnomer. I heard museum and dressed for indoors. It wasn’t until we arrived that I learned 95% of the museum is outside. Makes sense for a desert, eh? Be warned and dress for the temperature, taking into account the wind factor. I froze in hiking pants, t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt and jacket. Thank goodness for brilliant sunshine!
This is a 98 acre hunk of land that aims to educate visitors and does a good job of it. There are literally thousands of things to see—from the zoo-like parts to the clearly marked cactus and other plants. There are two miles of walking paths, wheelchair accessible. In fact, about 98% is wheelchair accessible with a few of the grades being a bit steep.
There are shady spots, and areas under canvas roofs, water fountains scattered around to refill your water bottles. Don’t skimp on staying hydrated!
We were there from 10:15 – 1:00, but we missed the raptor free flight that takes places twice a day. Try scheduling to see it, the docents said it would be quite the experience. It’s a busy museum, even in February, so allow for crowds.
A variety of critters.
Alex liked seeing the five Javelinas—with signage: We’re not pigs!
I got a kick out of the porcupine curled up under a heat lamp in his little cave.
The fox looked fat, the mountain lion fierce, the coyote like a skinny, typical coyote.
We maintain two summer hummingbird feeders and love watching them zip in for a drink and off again to who knows what destination.We’re not sure where our handful of visitors go in the winter but these desert species were good fill-ins for us. The museum’s hummingbird area was fun, many with bright red or orange beaks. One landed on my husband’s shoulder, but dashed off too quickly for me to snap a picture of it.
There was a cactus, tall & skinny with thin red nodules sticking out from it. I said: “God really has a sense of humor.” Two couples our age heard me and cracked up.
I tend to stay away from crawling, slithering things, so skipped the Riparian Corridor. As part of the Warden Aquarium and new to the Museum is a school of stingrays—you can arrange to touch. How fun for desert-living kids to have that experience.
Be careful in the Earth Sciences Center cave. I didn’t let my eyes adjust long enough and ran my forehead smack into an overhanging way.
When you go to the Sonora Desert:
Getting there is a gorgeous drive through Gate’s Pass, west out of Tucson. To learn about the Saguaro National Park West, don’t skip stopping at their visitor’s center to pick up some good information.
To quote their statement, We inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.
We’d say they do a very good job of that.
Entrance fee is $20.50 per each adult without senior or military discounts. There’s also a discount for Arizona/Sonora residents.
The gift shop prices were reasonable and the coffee shop made a very good latte for less than Starbucks.
Summer Saturdays would be a good time to visit, the museum is open until 10:00 with programs especially designed for families. I might have to borrow our friends’ kids so we fit in.
Tucson and Gates Pass
The sunset was worth the drive and the wait for that perfect moment when the sun dipped between the mountains. Multiple people assured us that some of the most famous sunset photos were taken from the Gates Pass vantage point. Our first trip was anticlimactic, with too many clouds hiding the colors. Seeking balance, we wanted clouds spilling, spreading the sun’s dying shades across the sky, while not hiding the fading light.
Driving to Gates Pass is a journey through Tucson Mountain Park, a striking, rolling landscape of 20,000 acres. The winding road takes you to Old Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park West. Old Tucson is a former movie set. If you want to see the locations and costumes from Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie and movies, head here.
When we arrived a half hour early there were many people scattered around. The air held the expectation of waiting for a parade to begin. The anticipation of something exciting was about to happen. Hikers trod the hills on either side of the watcher’s roost, kicking tiny red stones and brown pebbles down. A trio of college-age kids carried two watermelons and a honeydew up one hill and then another. We couldn’t fathom why they fruit.
The sun burnt orange in the sky, casting reddish shadows on the hills behind us. The saguaro silhouettes threw long and wildly different shadows everywhere.
Then the two kids showed up. Only about two and four years old. Their parents perched them on the thick stone wall and advised: watch, watch! As the colors expanded, the little boy said, bye, bye, sun. I laughed. At once it struck me how fun and funny it was to make a big deal out of the setting sun.
Sunsets Connect Us
Thirty-odd people drove to an out of the way wide spot in the road. We stood in the unseasonably chilly air to watch an event we take for granted every day. Why? Why are we excited about celebrating the dropping of an orb from our view?
Is it something internal to us? Does it reach back thousands of years? To when we were more in tune with the earth’s cycles out of need, rather than strictly for pleasure? Do you find yourself sighing in delight and relaxing when you watch the sun sink out of sight?
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Read: Tempe, Arizona and Picnic, Montana style
Outdoor Museums that is something I have never been to, nor am I aware of any in my region. However, they seem to be interesting and fun coz outdoors are always fun 😀
Sushmita, I would think India a likely place for outdoor museums because of the temperate weather. More preconceived notions shattered! 🙂
I haven’t been to that part of AZ ever. But, I have two of my organizing clients who retired in the area. It’s an area we plan on visiting in the future.
I find that desserts are deceiving. They look hot, but are really cold at night and in the shade. Stay warm.
It’s very definitely a family place to go, Sabrina, if you like the outdoors. The hot/cold extremes fascinate me–and usually catch me off guard!
i’m always fascinated by the desert. Haven’t been to Arizona in a long time but I often go to southeastern California where my favorite places to go are the Living Desert zoo and Joshua Tree National Park. Plant life in the desert is more interesting to me than just about anyplace else. Pretty sure I’d enjoy a visit to this museum.
Yep, I think you’d like it, Ken. I lived in SoCal for three years and didn’t go to either of those places. So much to see in this big country of ours.
Outdoor museums like this are the best. I’ll always hold a soft spot in my soul for desert landscapes.
An outdoor museum sounds like a great experience. I probably would have loved the Riparian Corridor as long as nothing slithered near me!
Keep the slithering things away, eh, Emily!
It is funny that I should read your post about the desert today as I just got back from the desert a few hours ago. I was in Palm Springs, which I think feels less than a desert than Tuscon, but had its share of cacti nonetheless. Saguero National Forest seems like a fun visit. Tuscon isn’t too horribly far from me, so I should make it someday
That’s such fun, Erica! I hope you make a trek to Tucson one of these weekends. It is lovely. So was Tempe. Phoenix is just such a huge city for me. I’d imagine Palm Springs is, too.
Rose Mary — I’ve never been to a desert and your trip sounds wonderful. Thanks for the “tour.”
Thanks for joining me, Jeannette!
I would have dressed for the indoors as well RoseMary. I’ve never been a fan of the desert so I especially appreciate the opportunity to enjoy your beautiful photos and follow along as you toured the museum. 🙂
I so hate being cold, Marquita! But it was lovely and I always embrace the unusual.
Never been to an outdoor museum! Most of the museums we have here are indoor ones.
The views look great!
It was a new one for us, Tuhin, and quite the treat.
An outdoor museum sounds fab but I would only consider visiting in warm weather for obvious reasons. Are you 100% sure that animal is not a pig?!! I completely understand why you avoided observing the “slithering” animals. Whenever I visit zoos, I avoid looking at the snakes as I cannot abide by them at all.
It looks as though you had a fun packed leisurely day. It is so important to take time out to look at God’s creation.
Phoenicia, the warm Arizona weather we expected was intermittent (but always sunny), and the desert can sure be cold. Tee hee to snakes, read: Good Windows & Indiana Jones. I hate snakes! Yep, a Javelina is not a pig. Who knew? I was just thinking about how many magical moments God has given us on earth.
I enjoyed visiting this “museum”. What impressed me most was that it was such a fusion experience – zoo, a botanical garden, natural history museum, aquarium and desert landscape. It was hot when we went. We also did not see the raptor flight – too much of a crowd gathered and we decided not to wait for it.
Definitely a multi-layered museum, Donna. I once saw a huge owl fly for its trainer once, so I figure that’s as close to a raptor as I was needing to be at this time.
Thanks for the note, Doreen. I love how it’s so hot during the day and the nights can be chilly. It’s like a God-joke! And the cactus…amazing!
Very informative post….I’m so glad that you and Alex enjoyed your visit!
It was definitely a unique museum!
I absolutely love the desert and those Saguaro Cacti. They are SO magnificent. Far too long since I’ve last been in the desert. Maybe next year! Thx for the great post, Rose.
Deserts are such a change for me and you, Doreen. It had been five years since we were there and I was glad for the refresher on both why I like it and why I couldn’t move there.