If you are a snowbird with a snowbird-dog, you might want to head to southern Arizona and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The park gets a 3-paw rating in my rating system because there are 3 trails which pets are permitted on.
Pet friendly trails
- Visitor Center Trail which is very short, 0.15 miles round-trip
- Campground Perimeter Trail is a 1 mile loop
- Palo Verde Trail is 2.6 miles round-trip and connects the campground to the visitor center
There are also 2 scenic drives, Ajo Mountain and North Puerto Blanco. These are graded dirt roads which dogs can walk along as well. Of course all this is subject to changes which are out of my control. Check with the monument’s pet policies online or at the visitor center.
The Twin Peaks Campground can accommodate what we like to call RVOUS’s (RVs of unusual size). Restrooms have running water and solar showers but there aren’t any hookups. That can be a good thing, really, you don’t need all that electricity all the time.
Some park features should be avoided
Summer time means triple digit temperatures and it is the Sonoran desert so the usual desert hazards exist. Of course there are Organ pipe cactus as well as lots of other prickly plants. Especially watch out for the cholla, it can jump, seriously, that is how it spreads, and the spines are barbed. It is best to use a Leatherman or pliers to remove the spines. There are also Javelina, don’t let your dog mess with a Javelina, the dog will lose.
Deserts are also full of life that won’t harm you so sit back and enjoy it. In 1976, the monument was designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, recognizing a largely unspoiled example of a major ecosystem.
