b'Immaculate Conception Catholic Churchand primitive camping atOrgan Pipe CactusUSA TODAYS BEST SMALL designated campgrounds.National Monument TOWN IN THE SOUTHWEST.Other activities, such asJust 30 miles south ofAjo Chamber of Commerce hunting, horseback ridingAjo you can explore an601 W Indian Village Rd.and pack stock require aabundance of plants special use permit. Theand wildlife unique toAjo, AZ 85321refuge harbors as many asthe Sonoran Desert.520-387-4501391 plant species and moreWhether you want to than 300 kinds of wildlife.drive through it, hike it, NPS.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/ or bike it, this nationalGuest House Inncabeza-prieta-nwr.htm park is something700 Guest House Rd.you have to see. Because the Sonoran Desert is520-387-6133, GuestHouseInn.bizNew Cornelia Open Pit Mining Lookout actually very green, this area has been designated an This open pit is a truly unique attraction. It isInternational Biosphere Reserve. They offer specialLa Siesta Motel & RV Parkcurrently an inactive copper mine and one of Ajosranger programs, horseback rides, guided walks2561 N Ajo-Gila Bend Hwy.premiere sites. Do yourself a favor and visit with Bobthrough the park, as well as hiking trails, camping,602-975-0106, AjoLaSiesta.comand Dee, the volunteer historians who keep this gemand picnic facilities. You may see mountain lions, open. Bob worked in the mine for over 40 years andcoyotes, bighorns, pronghorns, bats, deer, jackrabbits,Marine Motelhis wife, Dee was by his side the entire time. Nearlybirds, and more.Go to the parks website before1966 N Ajo-Gila Bend Hwy. two miles of panoramic viewing, visitors come tovisiting to learn more about it and to find out if any520-387-7626, AjoMarineMotel.comobserve and explore the mine museum. restrictions are in effect. The monument is famous for its concentration of the rare Organ Pipe Cactus.Sonoran Desert Inn Scenic Loop Along Puerto Blanco 520-387-6849 x7302 or NPS.gov/orpi/index.htm & Conference CenterThis loop is only about 10 miles long, and curves55 Orilla Ave. around the mountain-covered desert. Bring yourQuitobaquito Springs 520-373-0804, SonoranCC.combinoculars because along the way youre sure to seeLocated in the Organ Pipe National Monument. The plenty of cacti, countless species of birds and volcanicname is of Tohono Oodham origin meaning houseRV Parksrock formations. Puerto Blanco Drive itself stretchesring spring. The habitat is tough to maintain, butAjo Heights RV Parkon for 37 miles, so you may also find other scenicartifacts nearly 1600 years old have been found here.2000 N. Ajo-Gila Bend Hwy.drives and areas to hike or bike. ArizonaHighways. Not to mention, some endangered species that have520-387-6796com/explore/scenic-drives/puerto-blanco-drive found a home here, including the spring snail, the Sonoyta mud turtle, and the desert caper plant. ThisBelly Acres RV Parkis the only spot in the United States that these species2030 N Ajo-Gila Bend Hwy. can be found naturally occurring. The desert caper520-387-5767supports the caper butterfly (ascia Howarthi) that isBellyAcresRVPark.comonly found coexisting with the plant. NPS.gov/orpi/learn/historyculture/quitobaquito-springs.htm Shadow Ridge RV Park431 N 2nd St. WHERE TO STAY 520-387-5055Motels and B&Bs ShadowRidgeRV.comCopper Sands Motel3711 N Ajo-Gila Bend Hwy.520-387-4097ArizonaRealCountry.com December 2019 29'