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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monumentsunset on the ajo mountains
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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Accessibility
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The following is offered as a guide only. Be aware of your own capabilities and plan your visit accordingly. Leashed service dogs are always welcome.

 
A view of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center.
A. Romero, NPS intern
A view of the Kris Eggle Visitor Center from the parking area. The facility was designed to be flat and easily accessible. 

The Kris Eggle Visitor Center is a good place to begin your visit The lobby, auditorium, exhibits, and bookstore area are fully accessible. For the visually impaired there is a relief map of the monument and a touch table with a variety of items. Drinking fountains outside the building are fully accessible. Restrooms in a nearby building are accessible with assistance.

Behind the Kris Eggle Visitor Center is an accessible 100-yard, hard-surfaced nature trail suitable for scooters and wheelchairs. This level, gently winding trail offers close views of many plants and birds native to the Sonoran Desert.

 
A picnic area near the Kris Eggle Visitor Center.  Nearly all the picnic areas in the park are designed to be easily accessible.
NPS intern A. Romero
This is an exampled of a picnic area at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Most of the developed picnic areas are designed to be inviting and accessible. 

Twin Peaks, the main campground, is located 1-1/2 miles from the visitor center. All restrooms and drinking water facilities within the 208 site campground are fully accessible. Four sites have picnic tables designed for wheelchair and scooter users; these sites are located nearest the restrooms. Some of these sites also have raised tent pads which may be inconvenient. Persons desiring a more level space may request another site.

The group campground has one restroom accessible with assistance. Group sites 1 and 2 are level and may be considered accessible, though the ground is soft in some places.

 

Located near the southwest corner of Twin Peaks Campground, the amphitheater is the site of evening programs and other special events. The 300 foot trail is paved, but fairly steep; some assistance may be desirable. Two centrally located paved areas are designed for wheelchair or scooter use.

 
A view of Arch Canyon from the Ajo Mountazin drive
Intern Dan Nafziger, 2006
This is a view of Arch Canyon from the Ajo Mountain drive. Both the Ajo Mountain and North Puerto Blanco drives are well-designed gravel roads, that are wide and smooth enough for passenger cars, bicyclists, and hikers on wheels or feet. 

The 21 mile Ajo Mountain Drive and North Puerto Blanco Drive  (10 mile round trip) are graded dirt roads with interpretive pullouts. An interpretive guidebook is available for the Ajo Mountain Drive. At the approximate half way point of Ajo Mountain Drive, Estes Canyon picnic area has an "accessible with assistance" picnic table and pit toilet. An accessible picnic area with pit toilet restrooms is located at the 5 mile turn-around on Puerto Blanco Drive. Wayside exhibits on this drive may be considered accessible.

Other areas of interest may include Alamo Canyon primitive campground. Although the tent sites may be considered accessible, use of the pit toilet facilties may require assistance. The dirt road to Bates Well at the northern end of the monument is infrequently maintained and recommended for 4 WD vehicles only. There are no facilities at this location. The area is a primitive historic ranch site.

Some trails are a combination of old mining roads and hiking trails, and cover somewhat level to gently rolling terrain. The Campground Perimeter, Palo Verde, Red Tanks, and Victoria Mine trails may be considered "accessible with assistance" to some wheelchair users.

 

 

 

 

A view of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument  

Did You Know?
Ninety-five percent of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is designated wilderness. Anyone can experience this irreplaceable resource, for in Organ Pipe Cactus NM the wilderness is to be found just a few yards off any road.

Last Updated: July 29, 2006 at 15:20 EST