by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Organ Pipe CactusGuide 2017/2018 |
Visitor Guide to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (NM) in Arizona. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
December 2017 - November 2018
Visitor Guide
A True Desert Experience Awaits
WH E T H E R YOU A R E H E R E F OR T WO HOU R S OR T WO
weeks, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the
monument. Any trip should start at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. A fifteen minute movie, exhibits, and park
rangers are available to answer your questions.
Welcome
No matter how long your stay,
there are many treasures awaiting
your discovery. Take the time to
explore the spirit and secrets of
the park. The variety of plants
and animals found in the desert
is astounding. I hope you will
take advantage of our exhibits
and ranger programs and learn
about the fascinating ways that
plants and animals have adapted
to living in the Sonoran Desert.
2 Hours or less:
•
•
•
Stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, watch the 15
minute film, explore the exhibit hall, and stroll the
nature trail.
Drive the North Puerto Blanco Drive to the Pinkley
Peak Picnic Area (10 miles round-trip) for great
views of the desert and cacti.
Do a short hike near the campground.
Camping, hiking, birding,
photography, exploring – the list
of ways to enjoy and understand
Organ Pipe Cactus’s natural
beauty and history is unlimited.
Experience your America, make
Organ Pipe Cactus National
Monument your own special
place, and have a safe and
memorable visit.
2-4 Hours:
•
Tour the Ajo Mountain Scenic Loop, a 21 mile
round-trip graded dirt road. Be sure to pick up a
free road guide at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center.
• Take a moderate hike in the Senita Basin area.
• Attend a ranger led hike or location talk.
• Visit Quitobaquito Springs.
All Day:
•
•
•
•
A visit to Organ Pipe Cactus can
begin a lifetime of experiences
enjoying your national parks. As
we begin the next 100 years of
preservation and stewardship,
we invite you to Find Your Park,
no matter where that may be,
and to be inspired by all of these
special places.
Drive the Puerto Blanco Scenic loop. This trip will
take 4-6 hours, and a high clearance 4WD vehicle is
required.
Explore the Ajo Mountain Scenic Drive and hike
the Bull Pasture/Estes Canyon Loop Trail.
Visit Quitobaquito Springs.
Join a Ranger for a guided van tour.
One day not enough?
Stay the night at Organ Pipe Cactus and experience the
calmness of the desert after dark. Camping is available
at Twin Peaks Campground. Primitive and backcountry
camping is also available.
During day or night, the Sonoran Desert beckons to be explored. Take
one of the many scenic drives at different times of the day to see the
interplay of sun and shadow across the landscape.
Inside:
Services / Special Programs ........................2
Hiking & Camping Guide ........................6,7
Night Skies
............................................ 11
Ranger Programs/ Hiker Shuttles ..............3
Plant Information .......................................8
Map of Monument ....................................12
Scenic Drives ..............................................4
Flower Guide...............................................9
Adventure Guide & Safety ..........................5
Bird Guide ................................................ 10
2
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Organ Pipe Cactus
National Monument
Protecting 516 square miles of
Sonoran Desert, Organ Pipe Cactus
National Monument is a sanctuary
for diverse species, some endangered.
The park was established by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 and has
since been recognized as a Biosphere
Reserve by the United Nations. Over
95 percent of Organ Pipe Cactus is
designated Wilderness. Come explore
the wonders and the wild of the
Sonoran Desert!
Superintendent
Mailing Address
Organ Pipe Cactus National
Monument
10 Organ Pipe Drive
Ajo, AZ 85321-9626
Phone
520-387-6849
E-mail
orpi_information@nps.gov
Web site
http://www.nps.gov/orpi
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/
OrganPipeNPS
The National Park Service
cares for special places saved by
the American people so that all
may experience our heritage.
Information and Services
Accessibility
Emergencies
For 24-hour emergency
response, call 911. The
closest medical clinic is the
Desert Senita Community
Health Center in Ajo, 520387-5651. The closest
hospitals are in Phoenix and
Tucson.
Visitor Center
The Kris Eggle Visitor Center,
restrooms, and 1⁄10-mile nature
trail are fully accessible,
Certain ranger programs
are accessible. Ask for an
accessibility brochure at the
Visitor Center.
Lost and Found
Contact the Kris Eggle Visitor
Center at 520-387-6849 ext.
7302.
Firearms
As of Feb. 22, 2010,
fires are permitted only
federal law allows people
in campground fire grills
who can legally possess
using pressed logs, charcoal,
firearms under federal,
or firewood. Wood fires
Arizona and local laws to
are prohibited at Alamo
possess firearms in Organ
Campground. Gathering dead Pipe Cactus National
or down wood is prohibited.
Monument.
It is the visitor’s
responsibility to understand
and comply with state,
The Association is our
local, and federal firearms
• Free with Interagency
partner and operator of the
laws. Federal law prohibits
Annual passes.
park bookstore, located in the firearms in certain facilities
• Free with Golden Age,
visitor center lobby. It sells
within the monument.
Senior, and Access
educational books, post cards, These are identified by
lifetime passes.
local arts, and cultural items.
signs at public entrances.
If you have questions,
• Fees subject to change in
Internet Access
please contact the Arizona
2018.
Free public wifi is available
Department of Public
at the Kris Eggle Visitor
Pets
Safety at (800) 256-6280 or
Center. After-hours, visitors
Pets must be on a leash at all
visit their website http://
can access the wireless from
times. Pets are allowed on
www.azdps.gov/Services/
roads, in campgrounds, picnic outside the building.
Concealed_Weapons/.
areas, the Palo Verde, and
Campground Perimeter trails.
•
The Kris Eggle Visitor Center
is open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00
p.m. except Thanksgiving
and Christmas. There is a 15
minute film, short accessible
nature trail, exhibits and
park store. Ranger led talks,
tours and hikes are offered
December through March.
Entrance Fees
Fires
At Twin Peaks Campground
$12 per vehicle, $4 per
pedestrian or bicyclist.
Good for seven days.
Western National
Parks Association
Nearby Attractions
Cabeza Prieta
National Wildife
Refuge
Bordering Organ Pipe Cactus
to the west , this refuge
preserves a vast wilderness
and many important species.
(520)-387-6483
Tohono O’odham
National Museum
and Cultural Center
Learn and explore the vibrant
history and culture of the
Tohono O’odham.
(520) 383- 0201
El Pinacate y Gran
Desierto de Altar
Located in Sonora, Mexico,
Organ Pipe Cactus’ sister
park preserves an amazing
ecosystem marked by large
extinct volcanoes.
01 (638) 384-9007
Saguaro National
Park
Just outside of Tucson,
Arizona, Saguaro National
Park protects impressive
stands of desert plants and
mountain ranges.
(520) 733-5153
Special Programs (January through March)
Special educational and recreational opporunities for the public are offered throughout the season. Check with a ranger, on a bulletin board, or at the Kris Eggle Visitor
Center for more information. Programs are subject to change and cancellation. All programs take place at the visitor center unless otherwise noted.
Star Parties:
Explore the night sky with park
rangers. Parties will include
a short program, followed by
night sky viewing through a
variety of devices, inlcuding
telescopes.
January 16, February 16,
March 17
Explore the Night Sky
Moonlight Hikes:
Hike the Desert View Trail
with a Ranger by the light of
the moon. Dress warmly,
wear sturdy shoes, and bring a
flashlight and water. Limited to
25 hikers. Sign up for a hike at
the visitor center .
January ............1-2, 30-31
February ...................... 28
March ....................... 1, 30
Lecture Series:
Border Patrol 101:
Chief Talks:
2 pm
Second Wednesdays of the
month.
1 hour
2 pm
January 24 and first and third
Wednesdays of Feburary and
March.
45 minutes
11:00am
First and third Thursdays of
the month.
20 minutes
Speakers include biologists,
archaeologists, rangers and
other specialists who delve
more deeply into subjects tied
to Organ Pipe Cactus.
Join agents from the U.S.
Border Patrol in the Kris Eggle
Visitor Center Auditorium to
explore their role and mission.
Meet members of the
Monument’s management
team and learn about how
different divisions in the park
work towards a common goal.
Occasionally during the winter months, park rangers and volunteers will have telescopes set up in the Twin Peaks Campground. Check bulletin boards for dates and times.
3
Ranger-Led Programs (January through March)
Please check park bulletin boards or call the visitor center at (520) 387-6849 x7302 for more information. Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks to all outdoor
programs. Van spots may be reserved by calling the visitor center up to seven days in advance. Children must be accompanied by parents. Programs and shuttles
are offered from mid-December through early April unless otherwise noted. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather and staff availability.
Sunday
9:00am
3 hrs
Ajo Mountain Van Tour: Reservations Required
Enjoy a unique three hour experience on a ranger led van tour of the scenic
Ajo Mountain Drive. Several stops will provide an intimate look at the monument. Seating limited to 10.
11:00am
20 min
Patio Talk:
Meet on the back patio of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for a short ranger-led
presentation. Topics vary, check bulletin boards.
1:30pm
1 hr
1:30pm
45 min
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Location Talk- Quitobaquito Spring:
Join a ranger at this gorgeous desert oasis and learn about the unique animals
and its rich cultural history. Meet ranger at Quitobaquito or reserve a spot in a
van - seating limited to 11. Van departs at 12:45pm. Begins January 2018
Location Talk- Blankenship Well: Join a ranger at Blankenship Well (Dos
Lomitas) to explore the historic ranch stead from the early twentieth century.
Meet ranger at Dos Lomitas or reserve a spot in the van - seating is limited to
11 passangers. Van departs at 1:00pm. Begins January 2018
2:00pm
20 min
Patio Talk:
Meet on the back patio of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for a short ranger-led
presentation. Topics vary, check bulletin boards.
3:30pm
20 min
Patio Talk:
Meet on the back patio of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for a short ranger-led
presentation. Topics vary, check bulletin boards for topics.
7:00pm
45 min
Evening Program:
End your evening with a traditional ranger program. Presentations cover
a variety of topics, including natural and cultural history. Check at bulletin
boards for topics. Begins January 2018
Varies
45 min
Night Sky Program:
Join a Nigth Sky Ranger to view and explor the night skies over the monument.
Check program schedule for times and location. Night sky programs replace
Evening Programs for that day. Begins January 2018
Hiker Shuttles (January through March)
Free hiker shuttles depart from the information kiosk at the Twin Peaks Campground. Call the Kris Eggle Visitor Center at (520) 387-6849 x7302 or register in
person to reserve a spot. Shuttles are one way transportation and allow visitors to hike back to the campground. Seating is limited to 13.
Sunday
8:30am
Senita Basin Trailhead:
Access the Puerto Blanco trails from the south. Experience the diversity of
Senita Basin and see the senita, saguaro and organ pipe cacti together. 4.6 mile
hike back to the campground. Begins January 2018
8:30am
Red Tanks Tinaja Trailhead:
Access the Puerto Blanco trails from the north. Trail gains slight elevation and
offers great views of the desert. 6.7 mile hike back to the campground.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
4
Scenic Drives
There are a number of scenic dirt roads that can take you into the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roads have varying degrees of difficulty,
and offer great experiences for visitors in all kinds of vehicles. Bring plenty of water and food for long full day drives. Always obey
posted speed limits. Be mindful that some roads are two-way, and other vehicles might be approaching. All scenic drives have a speed
limit of 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
Easy - passenger cars
Ajo Mountain Loop: 21 mi (34 km) 2 hours round-trip.
This scenic loop crosses the Diablo Mountains to the base of the Ajo Mountains and returns
through Sonoyta Valley. Along the way there are dense concentrations of saguaro and organ pipe
cactus. Picnic tables and hiking trails are accessible along this route. A free interpretive guide is
available at the visitor center. Route begins across Highway 85 from the visitor center entrance.
North Puerto Blanco to Pinkley Peak: 10 mi (16 km) 45 minutes round-trip
This road has scenic views of mountains and dense concentrations of saguaro cactus. At the
turnaround there is a picnic area with views of the Valley of the Ajo and Pinkley Peak. The road
continues as a rugged one-way loop recommended for high clearance vehicles only.
Ajo Mountain Drive
South Puerto Blanco to Quitobaquito: 28 mi (45 km) 3 hours round-trip
This drive parallels the international border for several miles, and provides access to Quitobaquito
Spring, an oasis in the middle of the desert. Great examples of organ pipe, senita, and saguaro
cactus can be seen. The road can be washboarded- slow down and allow extra time.
South Puerto Blanco to Senita Basin Trailhead: 7 mi (11.2 km) 2 hours round-trip from Hwy 85
This drive offers the quickest access to the Senita Basin trailhead. Here, you will see the greatest
concentration of senita cactus in the Monument. Kino Peak can be seen from the road. A large
network of hiking trails can be accessed from this point. The road can be washboarded - slow down
and allow extra time.
Quitobaquito Pond
Camino de Dos Republicas: 9.6 mi (14 km) 1 hour round-trip from Hwy 85
Starting from Hwy 85, the road is rough as it crosses several washes. First you will encoutner the
Gachado line-shack just before the junction of the Roosevelt Easement Road. The road will then
parallel the international border to the ranch buildings at Dos Lomitas. The road is closed to the
public beyond this point.
Medium - high clearance
North Puerto Blanco Drive
North Puerto Blanco - South Puerto Blanco Loop: 41 mi (66 km) 4 to 5 hours round-trip
This scenic drive provides the greatest variety of plants and vistas in the Monument. It is a rugged
route with few facilities. The road provides access to several trailheads as well as historic sites.
Quitobaquito is accessible from this loop. There are picnic tables and vault toilets along the route.
Bates Well Road to Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge: 26 mi (41.8 km) 2 hours one-way
Starting from Hwy 85 north of the monument, this road will provide access to Bates Well Ranch
(17 mi, 27 km) and the Pozo Nuevo Rd (23 mi, 37 km) before reaching the monument boundary.
Highlights include the Bates Well Ranch site and access to the El Camino de Diablo in Cabeza
Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
Bates Well Ranch
Hard - high clearance and 4x4
Pozo Nuevo Road: 7 mi (11.2 km) 2 hours one-way from either start of the road.
This rugged road in the western portion of the Monument connects the South Puerto Blanco Drive
to the Bates Well Road. This route offers great views of the Cipriano Hills, the Growler Valley, and
the historic Pozo Nuevo line-camp.
Ranch House at Blankenship Well
5
Bikes, Horses, and More- Your Guide
to Adventure
Equestrian Trails
Equestrian use is welcome at Organ Pipe Cactus
within designated Wilderness areas. Horses are
also allowed on certain developed trails in the
Monument. Refer to pages 6 and 7 and look for
the horse symbol to find your trail.
Remember:
• Horses must only be fed certified
weed-free hay, and digestion systems must
be purged.
• Water is scarce, plan ahead
• Horse camping is available at Twin Peaks
Campground by reservation.
Bicycles
Hike For Health
Challenge
The winding roads of Organ Pipe Cactus provide
great opportunities to explore the desert on
bicycle. All vehicle roads in the monument are
open for bicycles. Please follow all road laws,
obey speed limits, and move to the side of the road
to allow vehicles to pass. Please prepare there is
no water available along any of the routes carry
enough for your needs.
Explore the beautiful trails and get some exercise.
Organ Pipe Cactus invites you to hike for health
and challenges you to hike at least 5 miles during
your visit. Stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for
more information on how to earn your reward.
Popular Routes:
Ajo Mountain Loop: 21 mile (33 km) improved
gravel road, 1,000 feet elevation change over the
route. Restrooms are located halfway at Estes
Canyon trailhead.
Consider the weather and temperature before
hiking.
Look for other hiking challenges across the
National Park Service.
North Puerto Blanco Drive to Pinkley Peak:
10 miles (16 km) round trip along a winding
road. Slight elevation change along the washes.
Restrooms are located at Pinkley Peak Picnic Area.
South Puerto Blanco Drive: 28 miles (45km)
roundtrip. Road is wash-boarded for the first 3
miles. No facilities.
Note: Ninty-five percent of the monument
is a designated Wilderness. Bicycles are not
permitted. Please stay on the roads.
For Your Safety
Every year, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
receives visitors from around the world. They come to
see this Biosphere Reserve, an unparalleled portion
of the Sonoran Desert. In addition to these visitors,
others come as well. The 31-mile southern boundary
of the Monument is the border between the United
States and Mexico.
You should not provide water or food as they
may continue further into the desert and become
distressed, needing assistance in an area where there
is no help available.
People do cross the border, but National Park visitors
are unlikely to encounter illegal activity in the
Monument. Migrants and smugglers want to evade
detection and therefore try to avoid contact with
other people. In rare instances when migrants or
smugglers approach a visitor it is usually because they
are lost, need water, or are in medical distress.
In reality, the biggest hazards for visitors are not
other people but the desert environment. The
monument encompasses 516 square miles of the
Sonoran Desert, much of it rugged mountains with
the remainder being arid scrublands with little or
no water. Water found here is not potable without
treatment and is the only source of water for wildlife.
When hiking or camping in the wilderness you
should carry sufficient water for twice the amount of
time you plan to be in the wilderness.
You can reduce your likelihood of encountering
illegal activity by avoiding unofficial hiking trails.
Be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious
activity or people to a ranger, or call 911 if your phone
has a signal. When parked, secure your vehicle and
keep valuables, water, and food out of sight.
Be aware and respectful of wildlife. Some animals
can be dangerous if cornered or handled. Harassing,
handling, or posing with animals is illegal and
can put you and the wildlife at risk of injury. Some
animals are venomous - do not put your hands where
you cannot see them.
If you should encounter someone or a group traveling
cross-country with backpacks, bundles, or black
water bottles, do not make contact. If driving,
continue to drive and call for help without inviting
strangers into your vehicle. If you are hiking move
away from them to avoid contact.
Over the years, millions of people have come
to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and
have left with good memories. Follow these
safety guidelines, to assure that your visit will be
memorable too. For the right reasons.
Key Points for Desert Safety
• Carry and drink plenty of water - one gallon per
person per day is recommended.
• Sun protection is important. Wear sunscreen and
protective clothing.
• Desert vegetation is spiney, avoid contact.
• Flash floods occur quickly and are dangerous.
Avoid washes when rain is threatening.
• Never enter a flooded roadway. Wait for the
water to subside and it is safe to cross.
• Do not put your hands or feet anywhere you
cannot see. Snakes, scorpions,and spiders often
hide in these areas.
• Africanized bees inhabit many areas of
the monument. Leave areas with large
concentrations, and do not swat or kill them.
• Hike with a partner. Let someone know where
you are going, when you plan to return, and who
to contact if you are overdue.
6
Your Hiking and Camping Guide
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument offers dozens of miles of hiking trails to help you explore the Sonoran Desert. The following is for
trip planning only; please use a map or trail guide for your trip. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Know your own limitations
when planning a desert hike. Certain trails are open to horse use; hikers must yield to horses. Take part in the Hike for Health Challenge,
see page 5 for more information. Sign up for a hiker shuttle (pg 3) and hike a trail back to the campground.
Visitor Center and Campground Trails
Use the map on the back of the newspaper for these easy, yet rewarding hikes. All hikes are accessible from either the Twin Peaks Campground or the Kris Eggle Visitor
Center.
Visitor Center Nature Trail: 0.10 mi (0.16 km) 10 minutes one-way.
Easy brick path from the visitor center with interpretive information. See different
cactus up close and the pupfish pond. Accessible to wheelchairs and scooters. Pets
allowed on a leash when entering from parking lot.
Campground Perimeter Trail 1 mi (1.6 km) 30 minutes one-way.
Easy loop trail around Twin Peaks Campground. Offers great views of the desert
flats and various cacti.
Palo Verde Trail 2.6 mi (4.2 km) 1.5 hours round-trip.
Easy trail between Twin Peaks Campground and Kris Eggle Visitor Center with great
views of the Ajo Mountain Range.
Desert View Trail: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) 1 hour round-trip.
Head out and explore the many trails of the Monument.
Easy loop trail with beautiful views, impressive stands of organ pipe cactus, and great
for sunrise and sunset.
Ajo Mountains Trails
Old Pima County Road: 8 mi (12.8km) one way. 4.5 hours one-way.
This is an easy trail that follows the old county road which was later abandonded
after AZ Highway 85 was built. The trail meanders through several washes and
provides great views of Pinkley Peak and great up-close encounters with a variety of
cactus.
Alamo Canyon: 1.8 mi (1.7 km) 1 hour round-trip.
Easy trail that follows an old dirt road to a historic ranch house and corral. Trail
follows an impressive wash that is great for birding.
Arch Canyon: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) 1 hour round-trip.
Easy trail that steadily climbs into Arch Canyon’s riparian vegetation. Good views of
the arch from the parking area. Great birding opportunities.
Bull Pasture: 3 mi (4.8 km) 1-2 hours out and back.
Difficult trail with steep grade and exposed cliffs. Spectacular views of the
Monument and Mexico.
Estes Canyon: Distance and time varies with route choices 1-3 hours round-trip.
Trailhead to Bull Pasture Junction and back. 3.2mi (5.1km)
Trailhead to junction returning on Bull Pasture trail. 2.6mi (4.2km)
Trailhead to Bull Pasture summit returning on Bull Pasture trail. 3.6mi (5.8km)
Moderate trail is great for birding. The trail crosses several washes but is relatively
flat until the switchback climb to the Bull Pasture trail junction.
7
Puerto Blanco Mountains Trails
Victoria Mine: 4.4 mi (7.2 km) 3.5 hours round-trip.
Easy trail that will cross several washes on the way to Victoria Mine, home of one of
the oldest historic sites on the Monument. The mineshaft and ruins of the old mine
store remain.
Lost Cabin Mine Trail 8 mi (12.8 km) 4.5 hours round-trip.
This is a moderate trail that follows an old mining road. The trail is primitive, but
provides great views of the Sonoyta Mountains to the south. Trail ends at the ruins of
the old stone mining house, and several prospecting holes can be seen.
Senita Basin Loop: 2.9 mi (4.6 km) 1 hour round-trip.
Easy loop trail that meanders through an impressive grove of the rare senita cactus
with great views of the Puerto Blanco Mountains.
Milton Mine: 3.2 mi (5.1 km) 1-2 hours round-trip.
Easy trail that leads to a mine operated by legendary Arizona lawman, Jeff Milton.
Trail provides great views for sunset.
Red Tanks Tinaja: 1.6 mi (2.6 km) 1.5 hours round-trip.
Moderate trail which leads to a natural water collecting basin carved into the
bedrock by erosion. Do not drink the water.
Dripping Springs: 1 mi (1.6 km) 1 hour round-trip.
Easy trail to Dripping Springs, one of the few natural water sources in the area. Do
not drink the water. Wildife can be abundant in the area. Trail to the ridgeline is
difficult.
Dripping Springs Mine: 2.8 mi (4.5 km) 1-2 hours round-trip.
Moderate trail to a historic mine site used by bootleggers during Prohibition. Trail
offers commanding views of the Saguaro lined horizion.
Many trails can be combined into loop hikes of various lengths and
difficulties. Rangers can help plan additional hiking opportunities.
Camping
There are a number of camping opportunities at the Monument: Check our website or call
the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for camping and/or reservation information.
Twin Peaks Campground is a developed 208-space campground near the visitor center
with RV sites up to 40 ft. and a designated tent section. There are 34 tent sites and 174
RV sites, six rest rooms, three with solar showers and a dump station with potable water
located at the south end of the campground. There are several potable water faucets on
each row.
There are no electrical or water hookups at the campsites.
Register at the visitor center, campground kiosk, or self-register at kiosk after business
hours. Open all year. Fee: $16 per night or $8 for holders of Golden Age/Access/Senior
Passes. Call in advance for vehicles over 40 feet in length. Generator hours vary by season
check with park staff or at bulletin boards for details. If you are en route and concerned
about site availability, please call the visitor center. Fees subject to change in 2018.
Alamo Campground is a four space primitive campground with a maximum occupancy
of five people per site per night. Sites are for tents, camper vans, and pickup campers only.
There is a single vault toilet on site, but no water. Camping is first come, first served; self-registration occurs at the campground. Being a remote campground, the visitor
center only has limited information on availability. Open all year. Fee $10 per night or $5 with a Golden Age/Access/Senior Pass.
Group camping is available by reservation only; please call the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for more information. 520-387-6849 ext 7302
Backcountry camping is available in select areas of the Monument; you must register at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center to get a camping permit. $5 per permit.
Ground fires are not permitted anywhere in the monument.
8
Organ Pipe Cactus: Fun Facts
Creatures of the
Sonoran Desert feast
on the juicy fruit and
disperse the seeds
across the desert.
Average height at
maturity is 15 feet.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the United
States where you can see large stands of organ pipe cacti growing naturally.
Just before and
during the summer
rains, the organ
pipe fruit ripens
and splits open to
reveal its red pulpy
flesh.
Early settlers who encountered dead
cacti were reminded of church pipe organs
and called these cacti organ pipes.
Columnar cacti such as the
organ pipe and saguaro can
form these unusual growths
called “cristates.”
An organ pipe cactus
produces its first flowers at
around 35 years. The bat
pollinated flowers blossom
at night and are closed by
mid-morning the next day.
Organ pipe cactus may live 150 years.
Ocotillo- It’s not a cactus?
Depending on when it last rained, the ocotillo may
look like either a bundle of sticks in the ground,
or a burst of green fireworks with vermillion tips
when blooming. It has long sharp spines that cause
some to think it must be a cactus. In reality, it is a
shrub from the candlewood family, common to the
Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and lower Mojave deserts of
the U.S. and Mexico.
Ocotillo in leaf
Ocotillo seems to defy our common idea of “shrub.”
From a distance, the plant looks dead.
A closer look may reveal bits of green in a very woody,
rough-textured bark.
That indicates the plant is alive. Look even more
closely and you will see the small circles on top of the
base of the thorns and the place where leaves form.
Most of the time the shrub is leafless and dormant,
waiting for rain.
These flowers are magnets for migrating and resident
hummingbirds, orioles, pollinating insects, and other
nectar-lovers.
Once the soil dries and the ocotillo finishes blooming,
the plant has used its last spurt of rain-induced
energy; the leaves turn yellow to red - a hint of
autumn in the summer.
When rain comes, as either gentle soaking rain of
winter or thunderstorms in summer, it will trigger an
amazing transformation. Within 48 hours, the stems
turn greener, and new leaf buds appear. A few days
later, the ocotillo
will be hiding
thorns under a
luxurious coat of
green leaves.
If you are
fortunate and
Ocotillo flowers and buds
visit Organ Pipe
Cactus National
Monument from late February through early April,
you may see clusters of vermillion flowers atop those
wavy stems.
Dormant ocotillo
9
Flower Guide
When Does the Sonoran Desert Bloom?
If you are lucky, you may see
the desert carpeted in flowers. After heavy winter rains,
plants burst into bloom, some
flowering only days after receiving water. Other plants wait
patiently for the summer rains
to come.
Sonoran Desert wildflowers grow quickly and in large
numbers after it rains. Once
the soil dries, plants die back.
Desert wildflowers are not only
beautiful, but they are essential
to the survival of many desert
creatures.
Mexican gold poppy
Mojave lupine
Fairy duster
Desert marigold
Saguaro cactus
Teddy Bear Cholla
How do you say that?
Ajo: AH-ho. Spanish for garlic; also a Tohono O’odham word for a
copper-colored pigment.
Bajada: ba-HAH-dah. The gravely slope at the base of a mountain
range. Many diverse species take advantage of the bajadas’ well
drained soil. They are good places to look for wildlife.
Cholla: CHOY-yuh. A group of cacti known for painful spines and
easily detachable, jointed branches. Also called “jumping cactus.”
Pincushion cactus
Prickly pear cactus
Compass Barrel Cactus
Gila: HEE-lah. As in Gila monster, Gila woodpecker and Gila River.
Ocotillo: OH-koh-TEE-yo. A very thorny plant, often mistaken for
a cactus. The ocotillo has the ability to sprout leaves within 48 hours
of rain.
Saguaro: sa-WA-roh. Arizona’s tallest cactus (growing to over 70
feet - usually 45 to 50 feet) and a major indicator species for the
health of the Sonoran Desert.
10
Birding:
The Sonoran is a vibrant desert. Every season of the
year, one can find a diversity of birds flitting amongst
the cholla, soaring above the Ajo Mountains, or sitting
atop saguaro cacti. There have been more than 270 birds
documented at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
There are many birds here during different times of the
year. Phainopeplas are a common sight in the winter,
with their glistening black plumage and rakish crest. The
cactus wren, the state bird of Arizona, builds its nests in
the safety of cholla cactus. The Gambel’s quail is almost
comical as it dashes quickly through the underbrush
of the desert, its thick dark plume dancing with each
motion of its head.
Many birds, including a number of flycatchers, are
migrants stopping in on their way north in the spring or
south in the fall.
Vagrants are bird