Saguaro Cactus?

There's a national park outside Tucson that's named after the Saguaro and is full of them. As for hot yes both Phoenix and Tucson will be hotter than hades in the summer. I think Phoenix is a bit hotter tho.

In Tucson go to the Desert Museum which is really a desert zoo with lots of critters. Your son will enjoy it. I don't know if Old Tucson (it is I just checked) is still in operation but they used to stage gunfights and such there. Of course Tombstone does that for certain. I lived in Tucson for a few years when I was in elementary school.

Late June is definitely pushing it for RVing in the areas where Saguaro thrive, add monsoons that usually roll in about then which significantly increases the humidity making it the worse time of year to visit. The mountains get rain pretty much every afternoon and with the elevation cools off nicely in the evening, but the valley areas and low deserts rarely get rain, just clouds and humidity for the most part.

The only real positive for going to the Valley of the Sun and southward during the summer season is many of the fabulous resorts that abound the area have their lowest rates of the year. All have marvelous swimming pools and would provide a nice respite from the heat, it is still best to swim early in the day or later in the evening when the sun is less hostile. If you can go a few weeks earlier in June it's not as bad with humidity virtually non-existent.

Our RV only has a single AC unit and the latest we have done any RVing in the lower deserts of AZ is April, with no AC in the rig March would be pushing it. We spend lots of time RVing in AZ during summer months, but all are at high elevations among the ponderosa pine covered in the mountains. There are hotels that are located among the great saguaros, get out early for any hiking or exploring you may be inclined to do.

To really see the Saguaros go to Tucson and stay in a hotel or motel. It will be hot so forget the camper. Saguaro National Park is hard to beat.

Actually you might be better off staying in the Flagstaff/ Grand Canyon area and go down through Sedona. On the back roads you will see tons of Saguaro. June should be tolerable in the Grand Canyon area even in your trailer. The temps will dip at night.

Take a jaunt over to Bullhead City and they sell them on the side of the road. You can buy one and take it home with you! :W

darsben1 wrote:
Actually you might be better off staying in the Flagstaff/ Grand Canyon area and go down through Sedona. On the back roads you will see tons of Saguaro. June should be tolerable in the Grand Canyon area even in your trailer. The temps will dip at night.

Not going to find Saguaro Cactus around Sedona....elevation 4300' plus
They do not grow above 3500'

Southern Arizona, Southeast California and Northwest Mexico

Start seeing them around Black Canyon City off I-17 ---roughly 50 miles north of Phoenix

Best around Tucson

Earl E wrote:
To really see the Saguaros go to Tucson and stay in a hotel or motel. It will be hot so forget the camper. Saguaro National Park is hard to beat.

This is my recommendation if you don't have AC in your trailer. You'll enjoy the trip much more. Tucson will be a 'little' cooler than Phoenix but if you're in a hotel and have a pool either will be tolerable. I hope you can do the trip. A forest of Saguaros is something to see and they are thick in Saguaro Nat'l Park. There are two areas of the national park - east and west. The east area has the nicest easy trails winding through the Saguaros. Early morning (like 6-7am) is the best time for hiking. By 10am you'll want the pool and then find something inside like a move from 12-4. The Desert Museum is wonderful in Tucson but again - early morning.

Another thought is to spend the Christmas holiday or spring break south then you can do everything outdoors all day long. :)

We agree with darsben, Flagstaff is a far better choice going at that time of year. The wife does Travel Nursing, and we spent the better part of the summer in the Phoenix area, BIG BIG BIG mistake with the temps; both day and night our A/C unit NEVER shut off. However took a week and went to Flagstaff, and things were pretty normal temp wise. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!!!

The monsoon season with its higher humidity doesn't start until during the first week in July. You can almost set your calendar by it it's so consistent. Late June will be extremely hot, but still low humidity.

I would agree with whoever said to leave your TT behind and stay in a motel. It will be too hot for an RV in S. AZ in June.

Pulling any travel trailer with a six cylinder engine is pushing the limit.