What to do at Organ Pipe
Monday, January 22nd, 2007
Article appears courtesy of
the Rocky Point Times.
Please Visit their site at www.RPTimes.com
Recreational opportunities are abound at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Bring your camera, as photo opportunities are nearly everywhere. Binoculars are excellent for birding and wildlife viewing.
The Ajo Mountain Scenic Loop should be a highlight of every visit, as it presents the most spectacular overview of the monument – picturesque volcanic mountains, cacti and agave, unusual geologic features such as the two arches in Arch Canyon, and wide angle views of the desert floor. This drive on a graded dirt road takes approximately 2 hours to complete. For those with less time, the 10 mile round trip road on North Puerto Blanco Drive is a good alternative.
Hiking trails range from the accessible paved trail at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center to the rugged Bull Pasture Trail. Many other destinations are a combination of old mining roads and trails. Victoria Mine trail is a popular and easy 4.5 mile round trip. Overnight backpacking is best in the rugged Ajo Mountains; an overnight backcountry permit is required and may be obtained at the visitor center.
Twin Peaks Campground is a developed campground for all types of camping accommodations from tents to 40 foot motorhomes. There are no hookups, but fresh water, picnic tables, grills, restrooms and a dump station are available. For those tenters who want to experience the backcountry yet not backpack, Alamo Primitive Campground is a good alternative. This campground is available by reservation only. Reservations may be made only at the visitor center on the day of the intended overnight stay.
reservation only. Reservations may be made only at the visitor center on the day of the intended overnight stay.
Bicyclists are welcome and may ride on roads open to the public. Mountain bikes are recommended on the dirt roads. Bikes are not permitted off-road or on hiking trails.
Off-road vehicles such as ATVs are not permitted within the monument. The monument’s north boundary fence adjacent to Bureau of Land Management land and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was removed last year in order to aid movement of the Sonoran pronghorn. All ATV’s, bikes and other off-road vehicle users riding in the area north of the monument should be aware of the park boundary and the regulation not allowing off-road driving in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. For those who enjoy riding off-road vehicles and bikes in the desert it is the responsibility of riders to know the off-road use regulations in each area. Riders should contact the individual agencies for their rules and regulations.
For further details about these and other recreational opportunities please call the Kris Eggle Visitor Center at (520) 387-6849, open daily between the hours of 8 am -5 pm.
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