cactus — Blog — Flying Dawn Marie | Travel blog, guides & itineraries for adventurous travellers

Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park West

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for hiking the Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park. Located along Bajada Loop Drive near the Red Hills Visitor Center and the Signal Hill Petroglyphs, this hike is one of the top things to do in Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain District). Walk among giant saguaros, see abundant wildlife, and enjoy panoramic vista views of the Sonoran Desert.

Arizona, Desert, Hiking, National Parks, SaguaroDawn MarieMarch 11, 2024travel guide, travel, visitors guide, tucson, things to do in tucson, places to go in tucson, what to do in tucson, saguaro, what to do in saguaro, things to do in saguaro, places to go in saguaro, top hikes, top trails, best hikes, best trails, best trails in saguaro, top trails in saguaro, top hiking in saguaro, top hiking, best hiking, what to do, things to do, places to go, road trip, az road trip, arizona, southern arizona, saguaro west, saguaro national park, national park, arizona national parks, saguaro cactus, cactus, cholla cactus, coyote, wildlife, sonoran desert, desert, desert hike, bajada loop, bajada loop trail, bisbee road trip, bisbee, tucson road trip, hiking, hike, hikes, trail, trails, overlook, valley view, valley view overlook, valley view overlook trail, vista point, views, giant saguaroComment

Discovery Trail - Family Friendly Hike in Joshua Tree National Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Discovery Trail, THE most family friendly trail in Joshua Tree National Park. Located across the road from Skull Rock, one of the top things to do in Joshua Tree, this easy hike takes visitors through slot canyons and towering rock formations, with opportunities to learn and see all kinds of wildlife and plants, including cholla cactus.

California, Desert, Hiking, Joshua Tree, National Parks, Southern CaliforniaDawn MarieJanuary 29, 2024joshua tree, joshua tree national park, national park, joshua trees, desert, desert hike, joshua tree hikes, joshua tree trails, family friendly, easy, easy hike, easy trail, family friendly hike, family friendly trail, skull rock, rock formations, best rock formations, best joshua tree, top joshua tree, things to do, things to do in joshua tree, places to go, places to go in joshua tree, what to do, what to do in joshua tree, where to go, where to go in joshua tree, top hikes, top hiking, best hikes, best hiking, best trails, top trails, hiking, trails, hikes, instagram, face rock, palm springs, california, jumbo rocks, camping, campground, jumbo rocks campground, cholla cactus, cactus, road trip, los angeles road trip, san diego road trip, road trip ideas, southern california, mojave desert, mojave, palm desert, twentynine palms, kid friendly, kid friendly hike, kid friendly trails, kidsComment

Cactus Forest Drive Top 10 Stops - Saguaro National Park East

Today we're driving the one-way Cactus Forest Drive loop and stopping at 10 of my favorite overlooks and hiking trails in Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain District). Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to learn about trail distance, hours of operation, and one of the best sunset spots in Tucson. This drive is one of my top things to do in Southern Arizona along your AZ road trip.

Desert Ecology Trail in Saguaro National Park

Desert Ecology Trail is located in Arizona's Saguaro National Park at the East Rincon Mountain District. This family friendly path is only 0.3 miles & the trail is paved. Numerous interpretive panels line the trail with information on the history of this area, the wildlife found here, native plants and much more. This is a popular trail for birders and you can relax on multiple benches here.

Desert, National Parks, Saguaro, ArizonaDawn MarieSeptember 11, 2023saguaro, saguaro east, saguaro cactus, saguaro national park, cactus, hiking trailComment

Desert Discovery Nature Trail - Saguaro National Park West

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Desert Discovery Nature Trail in Saguaro National Park West in southern Arizona. Found in the Tucson Mountain District in the Sonoran Desert, this family friendly hike is short, easy, perfect for all ages and first time visitors. Along the loop trail we'll find the giant saguaros, cholla cactus, and all kinds of plants and animals.

Discovering Wind Wolves Preserve in the Central Valley

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to Wind Wolves Preserve near Bakersfield in the Central Valley. Located near the I-5 at the Grapevine, this preserve offers great hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and educational resources for adults & kids about the nature here and the Chumash Native Americans that once lived here. You might even see elk, rattlesnakes, black bear, and mountain lions.

Cholla Cactus Garden - Joshua Tree

Today we're taking the 1/4 mile trail through the Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs, California. We'll be getting there before dawn to enjoy the sunrise, which makes these cacti glow as they're backlit by the low sun.