Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
14
Southern Arizona
In the southeastern corner of Ari-
zona, the mile-high grasslands, punctuated
by forested mountain ranges, have long
supported vast ranches where cattle range
across wide-open plains. It was also here
that much of America's now-legendary
Western history took place. Wyatt Earp
and the Clantons shot it out at Tomb-
stone's O.K. Corral, Doc Holliday played
his cards, and Cochise and Geronimo
staged the last Indian rebellions. Cavalries
charged, and prospectors wandered the
wilderness in search of the mother lode.
Today, ghost towns litter the landscape of
southeastern Arizona, but the past is kept
alive by people searching for a glimpse of
the Wild West.
The combination of low deserts, high
plains, and even higher mountains has
given this region a fascinating diversity of
landscapes. Giant saguaros cover the slopes
of the Sonoran Desert throughout much of
southern Arizona, and in the western parts
of this region, organ pipe cactuses reach the
northern limit of their range. In the cool
mountains, cactuses give way to pines, and
passing clouds bring snow and rain. Nar-
row canyons and broad valleys, fed by the
rain and snowmelt, provide habitat for
hundreds of species of birds and other wild-
life. This is the northernmost range for
many birds usually found only south of the
border. Consequently, southeastern Arizona
has become one of the nation's most impor-
tant bird-watching spots.
1 ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL
MONUMENT
135 miles S of Phoenix; 140 miles W of Tucson; 185 miles SE of Yuma
Located roughly midway between Yuma and Tucson, Organ Pipe Cactus National
Monument is a preserve for the rare cactus for which the monument is named. The organ
pipe cactus resembles the saguaro cactus in many ways, but instead of forming a single
main trunk, organ pipes have many trunks, some 20 feet tall, that resemble—you
guessed it—organ pipes.
This is a rugged region with few towns or services. To the west lie the inaccessible
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range (a
bombing range), and to the east is the large Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. The
only motels in the area are in the small town of Ajo, a former company town that was
built to house copper mine workers. The downtown plaza, with its tall palm trees, cov-
ered walkways, and arches, has the look and feel of a Mexican town square. Be sure to
gas up your car before leaving Ajo.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE From Tucson, take Ariz. 86 west to Why, and turn south on Ariz.
85. From Yuma, take I-8 east to Gila Bend and drive south on Ariz. 85.
FEES
The park entry fee is $8 per car.
 
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