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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 three unique desert habitats converge
within 500 square miles. The Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection
of plants of the Sonoran Desert, including the Saguaro and 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. Sonoran desert plants and animals, found nowhere
else in the United States, are protected throughout the Monument and elsewhere
in Arizona
The road from Gila Bend to Tucson via Ajo, Why and Sells is a good quality
scenic drive. From Why a road heads south to Organ Pipe Cactus National
Monument. Unfortunately accommodation in Ajo and Why is very limited and
we found it generally rather expensive.
Inside the monument travellers can explore the quality vistors center,
rumble along scenic dirt roads, day hike along the many trails in the
park, or trek for days into the backcountry.
Climate in the monument is typical of the Sonoran Desert: hot summers
and mild winters, with monsoonal thunderstorms mid-July to mid-September
and a calmer winter rainy season. It gets HOT during the summer -- well
over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a typical day. Keep the expected weather
in mind and bring plenty of water if you plan on hiking!
The monument is located along the Arizona,
USA/Sonoraborder 3 hours
west of Tucson
or 3 hours southwest ofPhoenix
To its east lies the Tohono O'otham Nation, and to its northwest the Cabeza
Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. On the Mexican side, contiguous with
Organ Pipe, lies the Pinacate and Gran Desierto Biosphere reserve. The
combination of Cabeza Prieta, Organ Pipe, and Pinacate make this the first
international park on the USA/Mexico border. |
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