Backcountry Camping

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has thousands of acres of untamed wilderness to explore!

NPS Photo/Cate Blanch

 

Exploring The Wilderness

The Sonoran Desert is amazingly beautiful and a pleasure to explore! Every mountain, every wash, every canyon has unique beauty to explore. The desert provides ample opportunity for endless adventures in its wilderness. Help preserve your natural lands by Recreating Responsibly and following the principles of Leave No Trace.

Backountry permits are required for overnight backpacking and are available at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center daily during operating hours.

Fees

The permit is $5.00 regardless of number of people, and there is no Senior or Access discount on the permit fee.
The park entrance fee is not included in the camping fee and is $25.00 per vehicle for 7 days. Interagency pass holders do not pay an entrance fee; please show your pass to a ranger at the visitor center

Regulations

• Camping is limited to 7 days with no more than 2 consecutive nights may be spent at the same campsite.
• Camp ½ mile away from roads, historic sites or water source. Park only in the pullout specified on registration form. No car camping allowed and driving or parking off designated roads is prohibited.
• Camp on durable surfaces (rock, sand, dirt, etc).
• Fires are not permitted; use a backcountry stove or canned heat.
• Pets are not allowed in the backcountry.
• Pack in, pack out: leave the campsite clean and carry out all trash including toilet paper.
• Bury human waste using a "cat hole" at least six inch deep and cover after use. Do not leave toilet paper in the wilderness.
• Do not wash cloths, dishes or yourself in water sources, even with biodegradable soap.
• Plants, wildlife, historical objects and archaeological artifacts are protected and may not be disturbed or collected.
• Help protect the wildlife by not feeding them.

Safety

Always be aware of your surroundings and do not leave your belongings unattended. When you leave your vehicle, secure your valuables (including food and water) out of sight.

Illegal border activities do occur in Organ Pipe Cactus including smuggling of drugs and humans. Though smugglers and migrants want to evade detection, overnight travel increases your risk of encountering illegal activity. Smugglers and/or migrants may approach you because they are lost, need food/water or are in medical distress. Do not engage with unknown people and move away if possible.

If your vehicle is vandalized or you encounter illegal activity, report it to a ranger, border patrol agent or at the visitor center. Cell reception is limited in most areas of the monument, so do not rely on cell service to report illegal activity or in an emergency situation. If you do have cell reception call 911.

 

The highlighted areas are the locations of backcountry camping areas across the monument. Click the image above for a larger version of this topographic map with the zones listed.

NPS Photo

Backcountry Zone Information

Organ Pipe Cactus provides a unique experience for backpacking! Instead of the traditional method of selecting a set of trails and backcountry camping areas, Organ Pipe Cactus has zones which visitors may explore freely. Each zone has its own beauty and adventures for backpackers to enjoy! Learn more about what each zone has to offer!

Tillotson Peak West: Zone 140A

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 6

• Maximum Group Size: 6

A great place to camp for peak baggers, this zone is located near Mount Tillotson which makes for a great day hike and challenging climb to the top. This area also contains the small Chuckwalla Mountains which are a great place to explore for reptiles.

Parking for this zone is located along Highway 85 or the Ajo Mountain Drive.

Tillotson Peak West (Ajo Mountain Drive): Zone 140B

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 2

• Maximum Group Size: 2

This zone is located along the Ajo Mountain Drive loop around the inner boundaries of the loop. A good portion of this zone is located in the flatland basin area of the drive, great for easy cross country traveling other areas nearby, including Mount Tillotson.

Parking for this zone is located along the Ajo Mountain Drive.

Diablo Canyon: Zone 160

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 4

• Maximum Group Size: 4

There are beautiful mountains to explore and strands of organ pipe cacti to be found in this area! The terrain here is mountainous and the Arch Canyon and Estes Canyon/Bull Pasture trailheads and picnic areas are located nearby.

Parking for this zone is located along the Ajo Mountain Drive.

Sweetwater Pass: Zone 170

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 6

• Maximum Group Size: 4

This zone begins southeast of the Ajo Mountain Drive and provides easy access into the high mountainous terrain of the area, including Sweetwater Pass and Díaz Peak and Spire.

Parking for this zone is located along the Ajo Mountain Drive.

Ajo Valley North: Zone 300

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 15

• Maximum Group Size: 8

This zone is in the flatland basin area of the monument. Washes abound in this area, providing easy cross country routes and areas to explore. Directing east is Montezuma's Head along the northern tip of the Ajo Mountain Range.

Parking for this zone is located along Highway 85.

Ajo Valley South: Zone 310

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 15

• Maximum Group Size: 6

This zone is in the flatland basin area of the monument providing easy cross country routes to Pinkley Peak, a popular mountain to climb in the monument. This zone is also makes a great place to stay if wanting to do a longer day hike to Tillotson Peak.

Parking for this zone is located along Highway 85.

Bates Mountains: Zone 320

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 10

• Maximum Group Size: 6

Located in the northwest corner of the monument, the Bates Mountain Range is where the volcanic rock of Kino Peak towers above the desert. Large mountains and canyons abound in this area, great for adventurers who'd like a more challenging wilderness hike.

Parking for this zone is located along the Bates Well Road. Camping at Bates Well Ranch is not permitted. A high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended for this area.

Growler Wash: Zone 400

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 15

• Maximum Group Size: 8

This zone is located along the northern portion of the Bates Well Road and provides access into the northernmost reaches of the monument. Mountains and organ pipe abound in this area, and washes hide secrets you'll have to discover for yourself. This is a great area for wildlife spotting, including the elusive Sonoran pronghorn in its flatland areas.

Parking for this zone is located along the Bates Well Road. Camping at Bates Well Ranch is not permitted. A high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended for this area.

Cristobal Wash: Zone 410

• Maximum Daily Capacity: 15

• Maximum Group Size: 8

This zone is located south of Bates Well Road and west of Pozo Nuevo Road. This secluded area is in a basin area between mountains and makes a great area for wildlife spotting. This is a fantastic area to spot the shy Sonoran pronghorn because of its location away from people and the open space the flatlands provide.

Parking for this zone is located along the Bates Well Road. Camping at Bates Well Ranch is not permitted. A high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended for this area.