Cholla Cactus Garden
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The Cholla Cactus Garden: A Unique Natural Attraction
Location and Overview
The Cholla Cactus Garden is situated approximately 12 miles south of the park's North Entrance. This unique garden boasts one of the few stands of cholla cactus within the park, making it a notable stop for visitors.
Exploring the Nature Trail
The garden features a short, quarter-mile Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. This easy, flat loop allows visitors to witness the fascinating plants up close, with the "teddy bear cholla" being the primary attraction.
Identifying the Teddy Bear Cholla
Recognizing the teddy bear cholla is straightforward. This cactus is characterized by its densely interlaced yellow spines, tightly clustered stems, and dark lower trunk. It is also known as the "jumping cholla" because its stem-joints, which contain tiny barbs on the spines, can easily attach to anything in close proximity. Visitors are advised to maintain a safe distance, as the barbs can be painful to remove. Recent visitor feedback suggests looking but not touching this fuzzy-looking cactus.
Visitor Information
Entry to the Cholla Cactus Garden is free. For more details on other cacti species that can be spotted in the garden, visit the NPS website.
