Cactus Forest Drive, Saguaro National Monument

Cover picture by George Olin.
SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT 18 Miles East of Tucson, Arizona
15¢
Saguaro National Monument is one of more than 175 units administered by the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior. They include such outstanding scenic areas as Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks and other Parks and Monuments set aside for their scenic, scientific, historic or archeologic values. These superb areas are yours and are a part of your heritage as American citizens.
The National Park Service has the job of preserving the Parks and Monuments in their natural, unspoiled condition and of making them available for your enjoyment in such a manner as to leave them unimpaired for the inspiration of future generations. To achieve this high purpose it has been necessary to prohibit such activities as woodcutting, hunting, grazing, mining and even flower-picking. The men in the uniform of the National Park Service are here to serve you, and will welcome the opportunity to make your stay at Saguaro National Monument more enjoyable.
We hope you will cooperate with us “by taking only pictures and inspiration and leaving only footprints and goodwill.”
Photographers will note that several trails have been laid out for their convenience. These lead to particularly fine specimens and groups of Saguaros, but have not been developed as permanent trails. They are merely guides to the better photographic locations.
The best time to photograph the Cactus Forest is late in the afternoon when the lengthening shadows make the cactus stand out in bold relief. Excellent views of the forest, with the Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, may be had from the hilltops as you drive north on the loop road. The Arizona sun is brighter than you think, so use a light meter.
If you are interested in the work of the National Park Service and in the cause of conservation in general, you can give active expression of this interest, and lend support by aligning yourself with one of the numerous conservation organizations which act as spokesmen for those who wish our scenic heritage to be kept unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.