Entrance Fee
$25.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Kris Eggle Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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What to See & 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 Pasture spur trail will reward visitors with spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert.
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 columnar cacti coexisting: saguaro, organ pipes, and the senita cacti. The most impressive groves of senita cacti are along the road into Senita Basin and near the trailhead.
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. The drive takes approximately 2 hours, and has been designed so that a passenger car, driven with caution, may be taken over it safely. Trailers, buses and RVs over 25 ft (8 m) are prohibited on the drive. Several hikes and backcountry camping can be accessed from this drive.
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 house known as Lost Cabin.
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 Pipe area.
Self-Guided Tours
Ajo Mountain Drive - Self Guided Tour
Winding through desert and up into the Ajo Mountains, this drive offers numerous numbered stops with the chance to see and learn about the Sonoran Desert. A physical drive guide booklet can also be obtained in the visitor center.
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 questions, and offer suggestions on how to best enjoy your experience during your time here. Inside is an information desk with maps and guides, an exhibit area where visitors may learn about the Sonoran Desert, and a bookstore. A short nature trail starting behind the visitor center features Quitobaquito pupfish and signs about the life found in the monument.
Where to Stay
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, a tent area at each site, and a vault toilet located near bulletin boards. It is only for tent camping or small car camping; no RVs, trailers or generators are allowed.
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 85. Twin Peaks Campground has 34 tent-only sites and 174 sites for RVs, and several sites can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length. Restrooms have running water and some have solar-heated showers. Hookups for electricity, water, or sewer are not available. A dump station, with potable water is located past the last row of campsites.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
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.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Kris Eggle Visitor Center Parking Lot
Parking lot next to the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, off of Highway 85. No overnight camping is allowed in this parking lot.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. This fee includes all occupants of a non-commercial vehicle.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Valid for 7 days. This fee applies to bicycles and walk-ins (per person)
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00This 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.
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00This 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.
Operating Hours
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
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.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
sun setting on a green organ pipe cactus
View of Alamo Canyon trail, flanked by saguaros and vegetation with mountains in background
Sonoran pronghorn with cholla stuck to its face
A saguaro cactus with white blooms, with reddish mountains in the background
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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