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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monumentphoto looking at the ajo mountains with blue sky and various cactus
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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Things To Know Before You Come
 

This is a desert wilderness environment. Your safety is important to us. Click here to review what you need to know to survive in this environment. Watch for cactus spines and rattlesnakes. You should probably know what you are getting into, before you come.

 
Cactus wren in a cholla cactus

Don Dirks, NPS volunteer

The benign looking cholla cactus, also known as "jumping cactus," doesn't actually jump but is designed to grab hold of anything that gets too close. The Cactus Wren uses this hostility to its advantage by building nests in the protection of the cholla's branches

There is no food or lodging in the monument. Lukeville, 5 miles to the south on the US side of the Mexican border has a restaurant and small grocery as well as gas and a post-office. To the north, the small village of Why has gas and a restaurant. Further north to Ajo, you will find lodging, gas, restaurants and groceries.

Winter temperatures are pleasant, mid 50-60 degrees F (10-15 degrees C) during the day; chilly 30-40 degrees F (-1 to +4 degrees C)  during the night. Summer temperatures are hot 100+ degrees F (38+ degrees C) during the day and 70-80 degrees F (21-27 degrees C) during the night. If you plan on visiting during the summer months, plan on starting your day early and resting during the heat of the afternoon.

All plants, animals and historic artifacts are protected inside the Monument, that includes rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas. This is their home, if you are startled by one of these animals, step back and give them space. Enjoy the moment and consider yourself lucky to see such amazing creatures in such a wild environment. Let the rangers at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center know if you see something really cool, like a gila monster.

some roads are closed
some roads are closed
Due to Visitor Safety concerns, some roads in the monument are currently closed
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stop or go symbol
Is it safe?
What you should know about visitor safety in the borderlands
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International Border Vehicle Barrier
International Border Vehicle Barrier
The vehicle barrier fence along the international border is a good thing for our resource
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park ranger
Ranger Programs
are offered daily January - March. Ask at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for more info
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Kangaroo Rat  

Did You Know?
Kangaroo Rats are masters at desert survival. They get all the moisture they need from the seeds and plants they eat and don't need to drink any water. Their kidneys are so powerful at recycling the moisture they do get from plants and seeds, they have been known to urinate crystals.
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Last Updated: September 02, 2009 at 17:49 EST