After settling into my new job at Aflac, I was finally able to take some time away this year to visit Arizona once again. On this trip, we visited Organ Pipe National Monument and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Reserve in Southwest Arizona.

This was my second time to the area and it didn’t disappoint. The weather on the first two days was absolutely amazing with highs in 60s and beautiful and clear skies.

We were able to hit Organ Pipe for sunset and Cabeza Prieta for sunrise. Be warned, Cabeza Prieta requires a permit for access and you should be aware that a 4X4 is absolutely required there are no services, no cell phone service and usually no other people. It also borders an Air Force range and is close to the Mexican border (you’ll see plenty of warnings about that).

If you can overlook all of the warnings, you will find an adventurer’s and photographer’s dream with miles and miles of unspoiled desert, abandoned mines and villages, great off-roading and even ancient petroglyphs. You’ll also have a good chance at capturing some great wildlife there too. We could have spent days in this area if we had the time and I plan to go back soon.

To get the permit to access Cabeza Prieta, you’ll need to visit the visitor center in Ajo to sign the forms (warning you about falling airplane parts and unexploded ordinance that could be encountered) and to get the permits. The center is not open on weekends, so make sure to get there during the week or call ahead.

This trip also gave us the opportunity to try out the SPOT 2, our new GPS locator. I highly recommend this device and will write about it in more detail in a future post. The trip report from the SPOT device follows:

Arizona Adventures

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