Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument; the month with most of the rain is August, and June on the other hand is the driest. On a wonderful day you obtain a panorama of Arkansas Mountain from Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Lakes are nice; South Dam Tailings Pond is a lake that's
in the neighborhood of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
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. CONTACTS
Email - orpi_information@nps.gov Fax- 520-387-7144 Write to 10 Organ Pipe Drive Ajo, AZ 85321-9626 Phone Visitor Information - 520-387-6849
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons Visitor
Center open daily 8:00 am - 5:00 pm except Christmas Day Getting There PLANE - Nearby airports are in Phoenix and Tuscon, than by private vehicle. CAR - 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. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None available. Weather &
Climate 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. Accessibility The visitor center, parking area, and rest rooms are handicapped accessible. The visitor center has a captioned slide program. There are accessible campsites, and the scenic drives have accessible rest rooms. Getting Around No
rentals or public transportation available in area. Access is by foot, cycle or private vehicle. During the winter season motorized tours of the scenic drives are offered on a regular basis. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee INDIVIDUAL $3.00 for
7 Days Fee for entry by foot, bicycle or motorcycle per person.
VEHICLE $5.00 for 7 Days Fee for entry in a private vehicle.
Permits OVERNIGHT BACKCOUNTRY PERMIT $5.00 for 14 Days
Local Passport ANNUAL PASS $15.00
for Annual
CAMPING
Alamo Campground Open All Year Primitive campground with pit toilet(no water). Four sites that are tents only. First come/first served with a permit available at the visitor center. Cost: $6 per site per night.
Twin
Peaks Campground Open All Year 208 campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis all year for $10.00 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.
FACILITIES
Visitor Centers TWIN PEAKS Open All Year 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone - 520-387-6849 Location - On highway 85, 35 miles south of Ajo, Arizona. Closures
- Closed Christmas Day. Special Programs - Ranger conducted activities are generally available every day from late-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. A 15 minute slide program is available throughout the day from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Exhibits - Museum with photographic
exhibit and dioramas on the Sonoran Desert. Available Facilities - Southwest Parks and Monuments Association Bookstore.
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