Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located in southwestern Arizona along the U.S.–Mexico border and protects one of the most biologically rich desert landscapes in North America. Established in 1937, it preserves a excellent representation of the Sonoran Desert, including one of the only place in the United States where the organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) grows naturally.

The monument has deep connections to Native American history, particularly the Tohono O’odham people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years. They adapted to the harsh desert environment through seasonal migration, farming near desert washes, and harvesting native plants such as cactus fruit for food and ceremonial use. Archaeological sites, trails, and traditional place names reflect this long-standing cultural relationship with the land.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is home to remarkable wildlife adapted to extreme desert conditions. Notable species include desert bighorn sheep, Sonoran pronghorn (one of North America’s most endangered mammals), and kit foxes. The area also supports reptiles such as the Gila monster, sidewinder rattlesnake, and rosy boa as well as migratory birds and lesser-long nosed bat, a nectar-feeding bat that pollinate cacti.

To learn more about the monument, visit the website.