About Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Arizona. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
Valid for 7 days. This fee includes all occupants of a non-commercial vehicle.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Valid for 7 days. This fee applies to bicycles and walk-ins (per person)
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
Current Alerts
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 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.
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.
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
This pass is valid for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits all passengers in a private vehicle and is non-transferable.
This pass is valid for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits all passengers in a private vehicle and is non-transferable.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Unearth Dripping Springs Mine
Stumble upon an old copper mine while exploring along the trail in the Puerto Blanco Mountains!
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Stretch Your Legs on the Campground Perimeter Trail
This short, dog-friendly trail circles Twin Peaks Campground and is ADA accessible in areas!
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…
Become an Organ Pipe Junior Ranger
Become a Junior Ranger at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
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…
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…
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…
Showing 18 of 19 NPS Things to Do records available for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Visitor Centers
Kris Eggle Visitor Center
The Kris Eggle Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit at Organ Pipe Cactus. Rangers there provide orientation to the monument, answer…
Campgrounds
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,…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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