Arizona's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a remote desert wilderness, is at least an hour's drive from I-8 and the suburbs of Phoenix. The park skirts along the Mexico border, with Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge to the west and the Tohono O'odham Nation eastward. This wild and desolate land showcases its namesake, the organ pipe cactus. An additional 25 other cactus species thrive in this seemingly inhospitable land. A collection of natural arches in the park are sure to draw interest from the avid arch hunters.
   Recognized as one of America's last unspoiled ecosystems, the park earned a designation as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976. This section of the Sonoran Desert, unfortunately, sees little tourist activity. State Route 85 bisects the park, with multiple scenic drives offering an unhurried look at the park's magnificent scenery. A graded road in the northeast corner of the park leads to Alamo Canyon and a wonderful hiking trail. Although most backcountry areas are open for day use only, the Alamo Canyon offers primitive camping. With road closures and nefarious border activities, it's best to check in at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for the latest information and area news.
   Kris Eggle was shot and killed in the line of duty at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in 2002 while pursuing drug cartel members who fled into the United States after committing a string of murders in Mexico.

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