Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
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| Location: | Arizona , United States | ||
| Next city: | Ajo | ||
| Surface: | 1,332.9 km² | ||
| Founding: | April 13, 1937 | ||
| Visitors: | 183,739 (2004) | ||
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The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a protected park located directly on the Mexican border in the southern part of the US state Arizona . This area was granted National Monument status in 1937 . It is administered by the National Park Service .
The park is located in the northern part of the Sonoran Desert, which is largely in Mexico . It is named after the organ pipe cactus ( Stenocereus thurberi ), which in the USA only exists in this park and in its immediate vicinity. There are also Saguaro cacti ( Carnegiea gigantea ) up to 15 meters high in the park , as well as around 25 other species of cactus. In addition, there are growing creosote bush , mesquite and Parkinsonien -Büsche ( Parkinsonia ). The main flowering time is between March and June. Because of the intense heat during the day, most of the animals in the park are nocturnal. During the day, birds , various types of lizards and snakes can be observed.
The eastern part of the park is characterized by the Ajo Mountains, which are almost 1500 meters high . The mountain landscape is accessible via the Ajo Mountain Drive, a 34 km (21 mile) long, largely unsurfaced scenic road, on which information boards explain the local flora and fauna. A second road, Puerto Blanco Drive, is 85 km long and runs through the Puerto Blanco Mountains in the western part of the park. The two roads are not paved. The visitor center is 27 km from the north entrance to the park. There you can find out more about the flora and fauna. A slide show is also presented. Park rangers are available for further information.
Apart from the visitor center and two campsites, the park has no infrastructure to speak of. The only place at the National Monument is Lukeville on the Mexican border, with a minimal range of tourist infrastructure. There are noteworthy places to stay and shop again in Ajo .
Due to the location directly on the Mexican border, illegal border crossings by migrants and smugglers are comparatively common in the park area, which prompts the park administration to issue special rules of conduct for visitors.
Web links
- National Park Service: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (official site; English)