Hiking in the "Green Desert"

Hiking is a great way to exercise while exploring the surprisingly lush Sonoran Desert either by yourself or with your family. There are miles and miles of trails laced around Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Some are easy, others are strenuous, most of them fall somewhere in between; Organ Pipe Cactus has trails for everyone. For backpackers or those seeking to adventure in an unexplored area, some of the best hiking is off the beaten trails and out in the canyons with only a map and compass to guide you. Ask a ranger at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center or learn more about the different trails below and see what's right for you.

Remember when hiking in the desert to always carry plenty of water and avoid hiking during the hottest parts of the day. Visit the Desert Safety page to learn more about how to best enjoy your time safely in the monument. Visit the Leave No Trace page to learn simple actions you can take to help preserve your public lands.

Hike For Health Challenge

Hike the Green Desert and earn a reward for being active in Organ Pipe Cactus! The "I Hike For Health" challenge will reward you for hitting the trails and achieving distance goals. By hiking 5 miles of trails, visitors are presented with a "Hike For Health" pin as a momento of their treks across Organ Pipe Cactus. Stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center to pick up the rules and receive your pin.

Hiking is a great way to exercise and stay in shape. For every mile you walk, you will burn around 70 calories (1/2 candy bar). Count your steps at home and challenge yourself to keep hiking in the over 400 units of the National Park System not only for your enjoyment but for your health too!

Program Rules

1. In order to qualify for the award, you must hike a minimum of 5 miles (8 km).
2. Each individual seeking the reward must have a photograph of each person on each trail hiked. Present picture to a ranger at the Visitor Center for verification.
3. Use the hiking chart from the visitor center to track your progress.
4. Please only one reward per person.

More Parks Offering "I Hike For Health" Pins In Arizona

Chiricahua National Monument
Coronado National Memorial
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Tumacacori National Historical Park

Hiking Trails

Organ Pipe Cactus has over 28 miles in established trails to explore! Several of these trails are pet-friendly or ADA accessible for everyone to enjoy! Ask a ranger at the visitor center for more information about the trails or call 520-387-6849.

Visitor Center and Campground Trails

• Visitor Center Nature Trail

  0.1 mile (0.2 km) roundtrip
  This ADA accessible, pet-friendly brick path begins at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center and loops to the parking lot. It features exhibits and a sitting area near a small pond with Quitobaquito pupfish.

• Campground Perimeter Trail

  1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
  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.

• Desert View Trail

  1.2 miles (1.9 km) roundtrip
  This easy loop trail is ideal for sunrises and sunsets, featureing beautiful vistas and benches to sit and enjoy them along the trail. Exhibits that highlight the various plants in the area are found along the trail.

• Palo Verde Trail

  2.6 mi (4.2 km) roundtrip
  While not officially ADA accessible, this pet-friendly dirt trail is relatively level for 1/2 mile if started from the visitor center trailhead and is an easy hike between the visitor center and Twin Peaks Campground.

Ajo Mountain Drive Trails