Accessibility

The Campground Perimeter Trail is accessible to Twin Peaks Amphitheater.

NPS Photo/Cate Blanch

 

Every visitor to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument should be able to experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. We are striving to improve the accessibility of the monument, its facilities, and its programming so it may be enjoyed by everyone. The best ideas to improve accessibility in the monument often comes from visitors; if you have a suggestion, visit the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and ask for a comment card. We truly value your input and visitor suggestions are taken into account when improving features of the monument.

Ask the rangers at the visitor center about trip ideas that would be accessible. If you have questions or suggestions about accessibility, please email us or call 520-387-6849.

 

The Kris Eggle Visitor Center

The Kris Eggle Visitor Center is a good place to begin your visit to find out more about accessibility in the monument. The lobby, exhibits, and bookstore area are all fully accessible. Large print brochures and Braille exhibit descriptions is available at the visitor center desk. The parking area features several accessible parking spaces in front of the visitor center. A drinking fountain is located near the restrooms and an accessible picnic area is located directly across the parking area from the visitor center.

 

The Visitor Center Nature Trail is ADA accessible, has signage about desert plants, and is a great way for everyone to enjoy the beauty of the desert.

NPS Photo/Cate Blanch

Accessible Trails

Several trails in the monument are ADA accessible for all visitors to enjoy. All these trails are also pet-friendly!

Visitor Center Nature Trail

The Visitor Center Nature Trail begins behind the visitor center and meanders its way back to the parking area. It is an accessible ¹/₁₀ mile, hard-surfaced trail suitable for scooters and wheelchairs. It offers views of many plants and birds native to the Sonoran Desert and signage along the trail presents information about life found in monument. Endangered Quitobaquito pupfish may be seen swimming in the Cienega (a small pond) directly along the trail.

Campground Perimeter Trail

The Campground Perimeter Trail is located in the Twin Peaks Campground area. The western side of the trail is ADA accessible from the initial turn-in to the campground to the campground amphitheater, about a ¹/4 mile. The rest of the trail is soft dirt and gravel that is relatively level, about 3/4 mile. This trail features beautiful desert plants, including many organ pipe cactus, and wonderful views to the south and east.

Palo Verde Trail

While not officially ADA accessible, this dirt trail is relatively level for ½ mile if started from the visitor center trailhead and is a great place to explore around the visitor center area.

 

Twin Peaks Campground features several ADA accessible campsites.

NPS Photo/Cate Blanch

Twin Peaks Campground

Twin Peaks Campground is located 1½ miles from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and has many ADA accessible amenities. Even better, America the Beautiful Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on campsites at Twin Peaks Campground!

All the restrooms, free solar-heated showers, and drinking water facilities within the 208 site campground are accessible. Four sites have picnic tables designed for wheelchair and scooter users and are located near the restrooms. In the group campground, sites 1 and 2 are level and there is a restroom nearby.

The campground amphitheater may be accessed from a 100-yard ADA accessible trail that connects to the ADA accessible portion of the Campground Perimeter Trail.

Contact the visitor center or visit the Twin Peaks Campground page on Recreation.gov to learn more about where ADA sites are located.

 

Ranger Programs

Ranger Programs highlight the many cultural and natural resources of Organ Pipe Cactus and are offered during the winter months. Programs are located at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and in the campground amphitheater. The campground amphitheater has a paved trail leading to the amphitheater area, with a paved section in the back that wheelchairs may easily access. Check at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, campground bulletin boards, or the event calendar on the website for more information. Daily program information is posted near the amphitheater and the entrance to the visitor center daily.

 

Scenic Drives

The monument features two spectacular scenic drives which may be fully completed in personal vehicle. To learn more about these drives, visit our Driving and Biking page.

The Ajo Mountain Drive is driveable by all vehicles under 25 feet in length and features beautiful views of the Ajo Mountain Range along with organ pipe cacti and other desert cacti.
The North Puerto Blanco to South Puerto Blanco Drive loop is a fun-filled excursion through the basin areas of the monument, but a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended as the vehicle will need to traverse sandy washes and rough terrain.

 

Pinkley Peak Picnic Area features several shaded picnic tables in a beautiful secluded area of the monument.

NPS Photo

Picnic Areas

Organ Pipe Cactus offers picnic areas across the monument that everyone may enjoy!

Pinkley Peak Picnic Area

Pinkley Peak Picnic Area is located 5 miles from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center along North Puerto Blanco Drive and is a quieter picnic area for those who would like a more pivate time. This picnic area features several picnic tables with shade ramadas, a vault toilet, and signage discussing the area.

Visitor Center Picnic Area

This picnic area is located directly across the parking lot from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and features several tables under shade ramadas. Accessible restrooms are located across the parking lot close to the visitor center.

Bonita Well and Estes Canyon Picnic Areas

Both Bonita Well and Estes Canyon picnic areas having parking areas along the monument's scenic drives. These picnic areas feature beautiful scenery to enjoy while resting at picnic tables under shade structures, with vault toilets nearby. While not ADA compliant, they both are good options to rest at and enjoy as you explore the backcountry of the monument.