Tell me about Ajo, Arizona

[Thunder_Mountai]

Planning on stopping in Ajo for a few days. Our expectations are: we love history and architecture, birding, hiking, mountain biking, easy to moderate 4wd roads, etc. We are not arm chair snowbirders. Growing up is not an option, there is no future in it and boogie till you drop are our mottos. We plan to visit Organ Pipes to have fun. Based on rvparkreviews.com we are planning on staying at Ajo Heights RV park.

Comments and suggestions based on our activity expectations please.

[navegator]

On some of the trails close to the border it is advisable to inform the Border Patrol of where you are going to be traveling, that way you won't be taken for a bandido, also do not pick up any person at all, transporting illegals is a Federal offense, not even siting in the car, you can render humanitarian assistance, water and shade from the side of the vehicle.

If you encounter someone in need of help, contact CBP, or the Sheriff they have special units that help persons in distress in the deserts, that is provided there is cell phone reception in that area.

Take plenty of water and some warm clothing, it can be very cold at night, DO NOT relay on the GPS to guide you, get good topo maps.

We stay at Ajo Heights when we go that way, the Saguaro National Park is awesome, be carefull with the famous Jumping Choyas, they are nasty.

navegator

[jhlady]

When you are at Organ Pipe pick up their self guided tour that you can do in your 4WD. We really enjoyed it. They have good programs in the evening as well depending on the time of year you are there. I would also recommend Rocky Point if you are prepared to go into Mexico. Great shrimp port and you can stay at one of the RV parks right off the beach. Fresh shrimp and plenty of margarita's how can you go wrong!

[The_Texan]

Executive wrote:
We wupped their butts playing football in the 60s'......:B:B.....Dennis

LOL ..... so did we back in the 50's. Loved the HS game back then.

[Executive45]

We wupped their butts playing football in the 60s'......:B:B.....Dennis

[The_Texan]

If you plan on doing a lot of off roading, then you will need a pass to get on the Barry Goldwater military range. Stop at the AFB as you head south out of Gila Bend and pick up your range pass. It does not cost anything, but you MUST have one for each of you, in order to legally enter the range, and many trails go there and back.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Thanks for the information! Can't wait to get there. Sounds like our kind of place.

[msgtord]

Go for tacos on Thursdays at Olsen's market.

[Dennis_M_M]

100 Estrella One of the best burgers I ever had! Get the Arizona grass fed beef option.

[The_Texan]

Off road 4x4 is awesome and hundreds of miles of trails. We take our ATVs from the Yuma area to Ajo and back, spending the night in Ajo. Round trip is 250± miles, depending on the route we take. You get within a couple hundred yards of the border, go through a federal wildlife refuge and stand a good chance of seeing the Sonoran Big Horn sheep, cougar, Mexican grey wolf and many deer. Have been a visitor to Ajo since the early 50's and it is a town full of history. Try the Starlite Restaurant for the best burger in southern AZ.

[azdryheat]

As long as you're in Ajo you might as well head south and check out Rock Point in Mexico.

[SDcampowneroper]

Ajo is a quaint town steeped in SW history. Its copper mining history, the suspension of that industry is worhty of study.
The surrounding sonoran desert and mountain ranges are full of sights. To explore them fully takes at minimum a 4wd vehicle. Better an ATV type.
Organ Pipe NM has gravel roads and hiking trails to places you would not think are of this world.
Stop at the visitors center there for info about backcountry travel, heed the alerts about water, services and smugglers.