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.
VISITATION: Highest in February, March, and April; lowest in June, July, August, and September. LOCATION: Ajo, AZ ADDRESS: Rt 1, Box 100 Ajo, Arizona 85321 TELEPHONE: (520) 387 6849 E-MAIL: orpi_information@nps.gov OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS: Visitor Center open daily 8:00 am - 5:00 pm except Christmas Day CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING: Nov.-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. DIRECTIONS: From 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. TRANSPORTATION: To 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 OPPORTUNITIES: Visitor 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 USE: Depending 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, PROGRAMS: Tohono 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 INFORMATION: Sonoran 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.