Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - Arizona

We have visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument many times over the years. Twin Peaks Campground is situated within the Monument, right in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The desert continues to astonish us with new discoveries, as the Sonoran Desert can transform rapidly depending on the weather and the season. If there has been recent rainfall, such as this year, you might find yourself amidst a desert flower bloom, which is an amazing experience! Many wildlife species remain underground during the cooler winter months, so you might be able to avoid encountering dangerous critters, like rattlesnakes, too.

We enjoy camping at the Twin Peaks Campground, located within the Organ Pipe National Monument. It's just a short one-mile hike or bike ride to reach the Kriss Eggle Visitor Center. The visitor center offers a wealth of information, including scheduled talks and ranger-led tours that you might find interesting to join. We loved the evening discussions at the Amphitheater, where each night featured a different topic. This year, the subjects included owls and their survival, scorpions, stargazing with incredible telescopes, and the history of settlement in the region. At one point, cattle ranching and mining were thriving activities in the area, and there are still several mines you can hike to. A scenic 1-mile interpretive trail circles the perimeter of the campground, offering beautiful views and the chance to spot the impressive giant organ pipe cactus. Don't miss the Ayo Mountain Drive, a 21-mile one-way scenic loop on a dirt road featuring breathtaking views and extra trailheads at scenic stops for more hiking opportunities. The drive takes about 2 hours roundtrip; be sure to bring your own water, and plan ahead as there is only one remote bathroom available.

Camping at Twin Peaks Campground now requires reservations, so you must book in advance at Recreation.gov . There are generator and no generator sites, plus spacious tent sites and all sites are paved pull throughs with a nice picnic table and BBQ . The restrooms are very clean, and in certain areas, there are even a few lukewarm showers heated by solar power. This is a dry camping CG with water available at spigots and a sewer dump station.

This year, we stayed at Site 34 and thoroughly enjoyed it because we had a spectacular view of the desert.

The fee is $20.00 a night, but with a golden age pass its a mere $10.00 a night, that has a 21 day limit.

Cheers!

Jeff and Liz