ARIZONA
NATIONAL
PARKS
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
VISITATIONHighest in February, March, and April; lowest in June, July, August, and September.
LOCATIONAjo, AZ
ADDRESSRt 1, Box 100Ajo, Arizona 85321
TELEPHONE(928) 387 6849
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONSVisitor Center open daily 8:00 am - 5:00 pm except Christmas Day
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHINGNov.-Apr. is mild and usually sunny, May-Oct. is hot, with daytime temperatures over 100 degrees F. Two rainy periods yearly - December through March there are usually gentle rains; thunderstorms likely during August and September. Rain gear is recommended during these periods.
DIRECTIONSFrom the north: follow AZ 85 through Ajo and Why. The Monument is 22 miles (35.4 km) south of Why. From the east: follow AZ 86 to Why, then turn south on AZ 85. From the west: follow I-8 to Gila Bend or I-10 to Buckeye, then turn south on AZ 85. From Mexico: drive on Mexico Route 2 to Sonoyta, then north to Lukeville.
TRANSPORTATIONTo Park: access by plane, bus, train to Phoenix or Tucson, then personal vehicle, bike. In Park: personal vehicle and bike travel on scenic loop gravel roads (25 foot maximum limit for recreational vehicular traffic), foot travel (somewhat limited by ability to carry water. One gallon per day per person is recommended at all times of the year).
FEES, COSTS, RATES$4.00 entrance fee per vehicle. $8.00 camping fee per site per night (water and dump station available, no electrical hook-ups).
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIESVisitor Center/Exhibits:15 minute slide program in auditorium available throughout the day from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Museum with slide exhibits.
Trails, Roads:Two scenic loop roads - the Ajo Mountain Drive and the Puerto Blanco Drive - penetrate desert country. Both are winding, up-and-down graded dirt roads. Passenger vehicles can travel them easily, but if you are driving a motor home more than 25 feet long, you should not travel these unpaved roads. Even some small motor homes have difficulty, so check with a ranger first. Trailers are not recommended on these roads. Guidebooks are available at the visitor center and at the start of both drives. When on the road: carry emergency tools; take drinking water
and
extra
water
for
your
vehicle;
stay
away
from
flooded
areas;
and
never
drive
off
the
road.
Ramadas
and
picnic
areas
are
located
in
scenic
spots
on
both
drives.
The
21-mile
Ajo
Mountain
Drive
winds
along
the
foothills
of
the
Ajo
Mountains,
the
highest
range
in
the
area.
Outstanding
desert
landscapes
and
impressive
stands
of
organ
pipe
cactus
are
among
the
highlights
of
this
tour.
The
drive
takes
about
two
hours.
The
53-mile
Puerto
Blanco
Drive
circles
the
colorful
Puerto
Blanco
Mountains
and
passes
through
a
startling
variety
of
scenery.
Around
one
corner
you
will
find
the
desert
oasis
of
Quitobaquito,
while
around
another
you'll
find
a
true
Sonoran
Desert
environment,
with
saguaros,
organ
pipe
cacti,
and
elephant
trees.
This
trip
takes
half
a
day.
Besides these two roads, there are a few unimproved dirt roads that go further into the backcountry. Some lead to historic sites with windmills, ranch houses, abandoned gold and silver mines, and other remnants of the past. Sometimes these roads are passable only by 4-wheel drive vehicles. Check on road conditions at the visitor center. Several trails offer close looks at the beauty of the desert. The best hiking months are October through April. The Visitor Center Nature Trail (0.1 mile round trip) is wheelchair accessible. Guide pamphlets are available at the trail head. Campground Perimeter Trail (1 mile round trip) allows pets, if leashed. Desert View Nature Trail (1.2 miles round trip) is a circular route leading to vistas of Sonoyta Valley and the pink granite of the Cubabi Mountains in Mexico. Trail side signs describe features along the way. Palo Verde Trail (2.6 miles round trip) goes between the visitor center and the campground. Estes Canyon-Bull Pasture Trail (4.1 miles round trip) is a strenuous climb with grand views of the surrounding terrain. Victoria Mine Trail (4.5 miles round trip) goes over rolling terrain to the site of the oldest mine in the area.
Programs/Activities:Ranger conducted activities are generally available every day from December through mid-April. These activities include evening programs in the amphitheater, ranger-led walks to various points of interest and informative patio talks at the visitor center. Activities can be scheduled for other times of the year or for groups by contacting the Division of Interpretation.
Lodging and camping facilities:208 campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis all year for $8.00 a night. Length of RV unit is not to exceed 35 feet. Generator hours 12 noon to 4 pm only. Water, rest rooms, grills, tables, and a dump station are available. Fires are permitted in grills, but wood gathering is prohibited. Private campgrounds are located in Lukeville, Why, and Ajo. A permit, available at the visitor center, is required for the primitive campground and for backcountry camping.A group campground is available on a reservation basis. Contact the Superintendent's Office by letter or phone.
Food/supplies:Motels, gasoline, groceries, trailer parks, laundries and other services are available in Lukeville, Why, Ajo, and Sonoyta, Mexico.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:A bookstore located in the visitor center is operated by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.
Accessibility:The visitor center, parking area, and rest rooms are handicapped accessible. The audiovisual programs have volume control, captioned slide programs and listening devices. There are accessible campsites, and the scenic drives have accessible rest rooms.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USEDepending on the time available, plan to take one of the scenic drives and get out of your vehicle for a short walk either at a point of interest on the drive, or on one of the trails near the visitor center or campground. Spend some time in the museum and be sure to view the 15 minute slide program in the visitor center auditorium.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMSTohono O'odham (Papago) Celebration takes place every spring on the third Saturday in March. Watch native Americans demonstrate traditional arts and crafts including basket making, pottery, dryland farming, dancing, and storytelling. Juntos: Maestros y Ni¤os del Desierto is an environmental education program for school children from the three cultures living in the area.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSonoran desert plants and animals, found nowhere else in the United States, are protected throughout Arizona. The Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation on April 23, 1937.As a Biosphere Reserve, it is an almost pristine example of the Sonoran Desert. Beware of the cactus and some dangerous wildlife. There are six varieties of rattlesnakes as well as gila monsters and scorpions. These animals play an important part in the ecology of the desert and should not be harmed. Visitors should be prepared for desert walking. A hat, sunscreen, comfortable and sturdy clothing and shoes, and a flashlight are necessary. Carry enough drinking water, one gallon (four liters) per person per day. |
Organ
Pipe
Cactus
National
Monument
celebrates
the
life
and
landscape
of
the
Sonoran
Desert.
Here,
in
this
desert
wilderness
of
plants
and
animals
and
dramatic
mountains
and
plains
scenery,
you
can
drive
a
lonely
road,
hike
a
backcountry
trail,
camp
beneath
a
clear
desert
sky,
or
just
soak
in
the
warmth
and
beauty
of
the
Southwest.
The
Monument
exhibits
an
extraordinary
collection
of
plants
of
the
Sonoran
Desert,
including
the
organ
pipe
cactus,
a
large
cactus
rarely
found
in
the
United
States.
There
are
also
many
creatures
that
have
been
able
to
adapt
themselves
to
extreme
temperatures,
intense
sunlight
and
little
rainfall.
Acreage:
330,688.86;
Federal:
329,316.31;
Non-federal:
1,372.55.
Wilderness
area:
312,600.
