Why Get Married in Saguaro National Park?

Despite its harsh and hot climate, Arizona is a beautiful state with so much to offer adventurous couples on their wedding day. While the Grand Canyon or Sedona are obvious hot spots, there are other diamonds in the rough for those willing to rough it.
Beyond the major landmarks lies Saguaro National Park in Tucson—a smaller, quieter desert park perfect for outdoor weddings and elopements. So, if you’re looking for an Arizona wedding without the frills and crowds of other areas, Tucson is sure to delight.
From towering, ancient Saguaros to rolling, rocky hills, this national park will satisfy the desert lovers out there. Curious about eloping in Saguaro National Park? Here’s everything you need to know to get started on your special day.

Saguaro National Park Elopement

Quiet and close to town, Saguaro National Park is filled with stunning desert views, tons of saguaros, and dirt roads. Getting married here is easy. All you’ll need is a special-use permit*, which costs $100—a small fee that helps keep the park healthy. Not bad for an inexpensive wedding venue! Make sure to apply for the permit at least 4 weeks before the event. Or better yet—have your elopement photographer help guide you through the process.

*A quick note from the park: chairs, tables, arches, flowers, amplified sound, generators, balloons, signs, decorations, and more are not allowed in the park. You can have up to 18 guests and vendors present.

Which Side of the Park Should You Elope in?

Saguaro National Park is cut in half by Tucson. Weird, right? Let’s get into the difference between both sides and which you should choose for your wedding day.

Rincon District (East)

Scenery & Fauna: There are less Saguaros here, but not none. And due to the mountains on this side of the park, you’ll get more rocky terrain and ocotillos.

Crowds: Has the potential for less crowds.

Roads: Most of the east side is paved, with one or two easy dirt roads.

Tucson Mountain District (West)

Scenery & Fauna: Saguaros everywhere! This side has more of the iconic cacti and a bigger visitor’s center (pro tip: this is one of my favorite visitors centers for trinkets).

Crowds: More well known side of the park, so it’s busier.

Roads: The main road is paved, but the loop that goes through the park is not paved. No 4x4 necessary, small cars can do this road.

At the end of the day, driving distances are a big reason why people get married on one side versus the other. There’s a full hours drive with no traffic between the separate parts of the park, so if your Airbnb is near the east side, you’ll want to go there.

Wedding Location Options Outside of the Park

Saguaro is well known for its epic and tall cacti, but there are plenty of beautiful desert views throughout Arizona. So if you’re digging the vibe, but want something a little different, check out these other options:
**Tucson Mountain Park:** This spot is close enough to Saguaro to make you wonder why it isn’t part of the park. While there aren’t as many Saguaros, you get some epic views looking down into the park.
**Organ Pipe National Monument:** This one is for the adventurous couples out there. The monument is right on the border of Mexico, and there are very few services nearby. But these unique cacti can be found here in droves, like a forest.
**Joshua Tree National Park:** Yes, Joshua Trees are very different from Saguaros, but they are still cactus! If you like the idea of getting married around cactus but want more decor or venues, this is a good spot for you.

**Ironwood Forest National Monument:** Cactus, rugged mountains, petroglyphs, off-roading, and more! Close enough to Tucson to find vendors, but far enough away to get away from the crowds.
**Bisbee, Arizona:** This is not quite the same as Saguaro National Park, but it deserves a spot on this list for its unique setting. The town is an old mining town turned hippie destination. With perfect weather year-round, classic cars and retro buildings, and quaint downtown, this is a perfect spot for a unique wedding location.
None of these fit your vibe? Reach out and we can discuss locations further!

Get Started on Your Saguaro Elopement

Travel, Hotels & Airbnbs for Saguaro National Park

Once you’ve decided on this beautiful desert park in Tucson, you have to consider how to get there, where to stay, when to have your wedding or elopement, and what to wear. Here are a few tips to help you hash out the details.

Getting To Saguaro National Park

If you aren’t local to Tucson, Arizona, you’ll need to fly into Tucson International Airport and rent a car to get to the park. You can also fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of my favorite airports in the southwest. You will have to drive 2 hours to Tucson, so keep that in mind if you fly into Phoenix, Arizona. The price is cheaper, but the drive is longer and one traffic accident could slow you down significantly.

As for the park, Saguaro National Park is part paved road, part dirt road. Most cars should be able to safely pass the dirt roads if it hasn’t rained heavily and recently.

Tucson & Saguaro NP Airbnbs

Airbnbs are a great option for a wedding ceremony. Intimate, and almost guaranteed privacy. Talk about having a first look on the property, getting married, then going into Saguaro National Park for photos. Or having a first look and ceremony in the park, then coming back to the Airbnb for dinner and reception. Here are a few of our favorite Tucson Airbnbs:

Saguaro East

Saguaro West

Keep in mind that every Airbnb is different. If you want to get married at your Airbnb, contact the owners first to make certain that’s A-OK. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference.

Weather in Saguaro National Park

Deserts offer delightful views and wide landscapes. But they are also deserts, which means harsh climates, rugged terrain, and dry conditions. Keep the weather and temps in mind when planning your wedding date.
**Winter:** Most of the desert is dazzling in the winter, with moderate to low temperatures. Sometimes the desert can get down to freezing at night, so come prepared for those sunrise or blue hour photoshoots.
**Summer:** You know the drill, it gets crazy hot in the summer. We recommend early morning or sunset ceremonies during the summer if you’re down to get married this time of year.
**Spring and Fall:** The best weather comes with a trade-off—the crowds. Early morning and late afternoons will be best to beat the crowds. Or you can elope on a weekday. We promise you won’t regret having a wedding during the week.
Having a wedding outside means you need to be prepared for the elements. Bring extra water and extra layers to protect yourself from dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Dressing for Your Saguaro NP Wedding

Outdoor weddings and elopements are fun because you get to mix the formal with the practical. Or to say it another way, you get to dress for a hiking adventure while also wearing your wedding best!

Depending on the specifics, the terrain could be rough and rocky. You’ll want to keep this in mind when choosing what to wear.

Dresses: When it comes to long dresses, just know that they will drag, snag, and get dirty. That’s all part of the fun! But if you want to keep things simple, stick to a dress with a shorter train to avoid picking up dirt, rocks, and yes—even cacti.
Suits: A good suit is always in style. You can stick with the classic black attire or switch it up to better compliment the scenery. Maroon, forest green, and pale pinks and tans all look wonderful against a saguaro desert backdrop. Consider wearing a vest and tie since heavy jackets and sleeves can get toasty.
Accessories and Shoes: Let’s talk about accessories! Boots or sturdy wedges with good tread are a must, especially on the roads in Saguaro National Park. Avoid heels for your own safety and comfort. Hats, veils, or flower crowns are super cute; as well as jewelry.
Be Prepared: Adventure weddings embrace uncertainty. But they also prepare for it too. Remember to bring along jackets and blankets for dropping temperatures, as well as water and electrolytes to stay hydrated and happy.

Elope in Saguaro with These Wedding Tips

Does the desert call to you? Elope in Saguaro with these quick wedding tips.

Be aware of cacti, they're everywhere! Saguaros aren't the only types of cactus you can find in this park. Prickly pear, cholla, and more can all be found here. Parts of the trails can be thick, leading to the possibility of getting your clothes snagged on one. Always make sure to watch where you're walking and wear closed-toed shoes if possible. If you do get a cactus attached to your clothing, do not grab it with your bare hands!
Prepare for the environment. It’s often very dry in the desert, even in the winter. So make sure to bring snacks, water and electrolytes.
Carpool! Parking is limited in most of the park so plan ahead and carpool.

The Most Important Part: Leave No Trace in Saguaro National Park

Nothing is worse than having a natural area closed to the public because it got trashed. That’s why I believe Leave No Trace (LNT) is so important for weddings and elopements. This set of principles about how best to preserve and protect the outdoors is something that’s required to keep our favorite spaces the way they are.

These rules are common-sense directives that help keep Saguaro National Park happy and healthy. We are all visitors to this ecosystem, so it’s prudent to reduce our impact. One of the more important rules to remember for this park is that saguaros are protected by law and should not be damaged.

Learn More About LNT