About Organ Pipe Cactus
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Southwest
- State
- Arizona
- Designation
- National Monument
- Entrance fee
- $25, private vehicle
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Organ Pipe Cactus.
Entrance fees
- $25 Private Vehicle Valid for 7 days. This fee includes all occupants of a non-commercial vehicle.
- $20 Motorcycle
- $15 Per Person
Passes
- $45 Annual Entrance - Park
- $45 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
The monument is open 365 days a year and park roads and trails are open 24 hours. There is no gate at the monument entrance; entrance fees are paid for at the visitor center. There is no dispersed camping allowed anywhere in the monument. US-Mexico Border hours are 6 am-8 pm. The main season for visitors is December through the end of April, during the mild winter months and wildflower season. Campgrounds may fill during this time; check Recreation.gov for campsite availability.
Weather and when to go
Summer months are hot, with temperatures exceeding 100F during the day and night-time temperatures in the high 70's. Winter months are milder, with temperatures in the 70s during the day and 30's to 40's in the evening.
Getting there
The Kris Eggle Visitor Center is located on Highway 85 approximately 25 miles south of Why, AZ and 5 miles north of Lukeville, AZ, just before the US-Mexico Border.
Contact the park
- Address
- 10 Organ Pipe Drive, Ajo, AZ 85321
- Phone
- (520) 387-6849
- Official site
- nps.gov/orpi
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Organ Pipe Cactus
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Organ Pipe Cactus
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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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!
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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 wit…
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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 colu…
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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.…
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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 hous…
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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 Pi…
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Unearth Dripping Springs Mine
Stumble upon an old copper mine while exploring along the trail in the Puerto Blanco Mountains!
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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.
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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 wonde…
Campgrounds in Organ Pipe Cactus
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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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 pi…
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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 Highwa…
What to pack for Organ Pipe Cactus
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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