Parks / Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
National Monument · AZ
Look closely. Look again. The sights and sounds of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, an International Biosphere Reserve, reveal a thriving community of plants and animals. Human stories echo throughout the Sonoran Desert, chronicling thousands of years of desert living. A wilderness hike, a scenic drive, or a night of camping will expose you to a living desert abounding with hidden life.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (3)
Temporary Road Closures in Effect
The following roads are temporary closed: West Border Road (Roosevelt Reservation) from the Lukeville Port of Entry west to Quitobaquito Springs, East Border Road (Roosevelt Reservation) from the Lukeville Port of Entry east to the Santa Rosa Mountains, and Camino de Dos Republicas. See Alerts for more info.
Feral Dogs May Be Seen in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Feral dogs may be present at the Twin Peaks Campground and around the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. Visitors should not attempt to feed or water these dogs or approach them in any way as they may carry disease or become hostile.
Pozo Nuevo Road to Bates Well Ranch High Clearance, 4-Wheel Drive Only
High Clearance, 4-wheel drive is required from where Pozo Nuevo Road begins along South Puerto Blanch Drive to Bates Well Ranch area. The road is washed out in areas. Bates Well Ranch is still accessible from the north on Darby Well Road.
Entrance Fees
Organ Pipe Cactus offers several options for visitors to purchase their admission into the monument. Discover these options below and select which is right for you! Your fee dollars help pay for maintenance, interpretive operations, and preservation efforts at the monument. Thank you for your support!
The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Annual Pass is good for one year at the monument.
Campgrounds (2)
Alamo Canyon Campground
Alamo Canyon Campground is a secluded, four-site campground nestled against rocky mountains at the mouth of Alamo Canyon. This primitive campground features picnic tables, grills, a tent area at each site, and a vault toilet located near bulletin boards. It is only for tent camping or small car camping; no RVs, trailers or generators are allowed.
Details →Twin Peaks Campground
Twin Peaks Campground is the main, developed campground at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, located 1.5 miles from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and Highway 85. Twin Peaks Campground has 34 tent-only sites and 174 sites for RVs, and several sites can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length. Restrooms have running water and some have solar-heated showers. Hookups for electricity, water, or sewer are not available. A dump station, with potable water is located past the last row of campsites.
Details →Things to Do
Become a Desert Ranger
For the 'Not-so-Junior-Ranger," or those looking for a challenge, the free Desert Ranger program allows the young at heart to earn their Desert Ranger badge and patch by completing an activity booklet available at the visitor center.
Become an Organ Pipe Junior Ranger
Become a Junior Ranger at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Birding at Organ Pipe
Organ Pipe sits along a primary migratory flyway, creating an oasis for bird enthusiasts of all levels. In addition to hosting an exciting array of migratory birds during fall and spring, we also have 36 species of resident birds that can be found year round at Organ Pipe.
Drive South Puerto Blanco Road
South Puerto Blanco Drive is a two-way, graded dirt road that follows the southern boundary of the park and provides access to Senita Basin and Quitobaquito Springs. Great examples of organ pipe, senita, and saguaro cacti are visible along this route. This road can be washboarded – reduce your speed and allow extra time. These roads are doable in a normal passenger car. Trailers, buses, and motorhomes over 25 feet (8 meters) are prohibited on the drive.
Drive the Ajo Mountain Loop
The Ajo Mountain Drive is a 21-mile (34 km) graded, one-way dirt road that gives visitors an excellent overview of the landscape and flora or Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The drive takes approximately 2 hours, and has been designed so that a passenger car, driven with caution, may be taken over it safely. Trailers, buses and RVs over 25 ft (8 m) are prohibited on the drive. Several hikes and backcountry camping can be accessed from this drive.
Drive the North Puerto Blanco Loop
For those looking for a longer, more rugged scenic drive through Organ Pipe, Puerto Blanco Drive is a great way to experience some of the park’s volcanic geology, mining history, and natural springs. The 41 mile Puerto Blanco Loop is broken into two parts: North Puerto Blanco Drive and South Puerto Blanco Drive.
Hike Alamo Canyon
The Alamo Canyon Trail follows an old road to a historic ranch house and corral, and provides ample wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities.
Hike Arch Canyon
One of the most photographed sites along the Ajo Mountain Drive are the double arches carved into the mountains. Walking the easy, relatively flat Arch Canyon trail provides wonderful opportunities to see wildflowers and gaze upon the rhyolite arches.
Hike the Estes Canyon/Bull Pasture Loop
The moderate Estes Canyon trail provides ample wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities while a steep, strenuous climb up the Bull Pasture spur trail will reward visitors with spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert.
Hike the Historic Old County Road!
Enjoy scenic views along an 8-mile one-way hike as you explore a historic wagon road through the Sonoran Desert!
Hike the Senita Basin Loop
Easy loop trail located in a low elevation area on the south side of the Puerto Blanco Mountains. This lush basin is one of the few places you can see all three of the park’s columnar cacti coexisting: saguaro, organ pipes, and the senita cacti. The most impressive groves of senita cacti are along the road into Senita Basin and near the trailhead.
Hike to Lost Cabin
Looking for a lengthier hike that showcases Organ Pipe’s mining history? This 8 mile (12.9 kilometers) round-trip hike includes the Victoria Mine site and an old stone mining house known as Lost Cabin.
Hike to Victoria Mine
Experience Organ Pipe’s mining history by hiking to Victoria Mine, one of the oldest prospecting sites in southwest Arizona and the heart of gold and silver mining in the Organ Pipe area.
See Endangered Pupfish Along the Visitor Center Nature Trail
Next to the Kris Eggle Visitor Center is a 1/10th of a mile paved nature trail that loops by a small pond and showcases native Sonoran Desert plant life. The trail begins by the back door of the visitor center and loops back around to the parking lot.
Stargazing at Organ Pipe
Take advantage of our monument's dark skies to do some stargazing and astrophotography, or join in on a night sky ranger program.
Stretch Your Legs on the Campground Perimeter Trail
This short, dog-friendly trail circles Twin Peaks Campground and is ADA accessible in areas!
Unearth Dripping Springs Mine
Stumble upon an old copper mine while exploring along the trail in the Puerto Blanco Mountains!
Walk Your Pet along Palo Verde Trail
Easy, pet-friendly trail that connect the Kris Eggle Visitor Center to Twin Peak Campground. Provides beautiful views of the Ajo Mountains.
Watch the Sunset from Desert View Trail
Searching for that quintessential desert sunset? The Desert View trail has your back! This short, 1.2 mile (1.9 km) can be reached from Twin Peaks Campground and loops around striking stands of organ pipe cacti. The Desert View trail offers great views for sunrise or sunset.
Visitor Centers
- Kris Eggle Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.