My wife and I recently visited Saguaro National Park, our 19th National Park together. Years ago, we started a tradition of visiting at least one National Park every year, and every trip begins the same way: we stop at the visitor center and talk with a ranger.
We always ask the same questions:
“What’s your favorite place in the park?”
“What hike would you recommend?”
“What’s something interesting we shouldn’t miss?”
Those conversations have become one of our favorite parts of traveling.
Over the years, rangers have helped us discover places far beyond the postcard views and crowded overlooks. In Zion National Park, a ranger pointed us toward Kolob Canyons and recommended a hike that led us through incredible scenery with hardly another person in sight. It felt like we had the entire canyon to ourselves.
At Saguaro National Park, we learned about the fascinating wildlife that survives in the desert ecosystem and were directed to an early morning hike that turned out to be unforgettable. We saw an incredible variety of wildlife, especially birds, including a rare hummingbird we never would have expected to find.
Most recently, at Carlsbad Caverns, we had a wonderful conversation with one of the rangers and even got a close-up look at the inside of a stalagmite. It was one of those unexpected moments that transformed a great visit into a memorable one.
The parks themselves are breathtaking, but what makes these trips truly special are the people who help us experience them. Rangers share their knowledge, stories, enthusiasm, and favorite hidden gems. Because of them, we’ve explored places we never would have found on our own and learned far more than we could have from a map or guidebook.
These vacations have become some of our most treasured experiences. They remind us of the beauty of nature, the history of these remarkable places, and how small we are compared to the vast and majestic world around us.
So, to all the rangers who have answered our questions, shared recommendations, taught us something new, and helped make our adventures unforgettable: thank you.
And for anyone planning a National Park trip, our one piece of advice is simple:
Talk to a ranger. Learn about the park. Ask questions. Follow their recommendations. You never know what incredible experience is waiting just beyond the next trail.
Sincerely,
Saguaro National Park
It’s the iconic image of the American Southwest: The giant saguaro cactus, standing tall amid the arid desert, arms perpetually raised to the sky. At Saguaro National Park, you can see more than 1.6 million of these giant saguaro — the largest forest of its kind on the planet.
State(s): Arizona
Established: 1994
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