Organ Pipe to Tucson

[Dave_Pete]

Is the Ajo to Tucson road (highway 86) suitable for travel? Pickup and travel trailer.

[jefe_4x4]

A few years ago, we were to take our truck camper down from Ajo to Organ Pipe and came up with iron gate across the road. What? Seems the illegal traffic was so heavy, they didn't want any Americans to be in the area.

I hope that has changed.
jefe

[Hank85713]

WSGR, its been some time, but the roads are safe, as to the park there are still areas that they say to stay out of. Been some years since the ranger was killed but again a lot of so az is posted as being a dangerous area. Like any place else stay away from areas known to be bad and dont be in the area after dark. A lot of OP requires 4x or high clearance vehicle so dont know what you plan to tour with. Check out the website for current situations.

[Dave_Pete]

Thanks all. Had to change plans.

[wsqr]

How is safety along the route? I'm looking to use it to visit Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Mon. I'm not a seasoned "southwesterner" so my over active imagination works overtime looking at the closeness of the Mexico border.

[Jim_Shoe]

While in the Tucson area, check out the Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson Studios.
The Desert Museum has a collection of animals that live there, and its more than just snakes.
And Old Tucson is where about half of all the movie westerns ever filmed were shot. As you walk down main street past the buildings that are just store fronts, you'll swear you got a peek of John Wayne, pilgrim. Here's a list.

[Dennis_M_M]

About the only way to go unless you go WAY out of the way. Good road all the way, mostly two lane, but not much traffic. Probably a Border Patrol check point of two.

[More_To_See]

We run it all the time to avoid the heavy truck traffic, etc over on I-10. And it's an nice country drive.

[DaveG39]

A lttle off topic but while you are in that area consider a short detour to tour Kitt Peak National Observatory. Worth the visit.

[TucsonJim]

No problems on highway 86 for RVs. AZ511 indicates a construction related lane closure at about mile 138 right now, but there shouldn't be too much of an issue getting through.

[Hank85713]

yes, there reportedly is some construction, but it has been passable