NPS · Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument · Ajo, AZ

Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground

Alamo Canyon Campground sits nestled at the base of the Ajo mountains in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This primitive campground provides scenic views of the surrounding mountains and Sonoran Desert, along with spectacular night sky viewing and peaceful quiet.

More like this: reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · dark sky in Arizona

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A mountain surrounded by cacti.Alamo Canyon Primitive CampgroundAlamo Canyon Primitive CampgroundSaguaro cacti with a mountain in the background.
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo/Cate Blanch, NPS Photo/ K Ceballos · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only4
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
1NoneNo / –5 / 2No
2NoneNo / –5 / 2No
3NoneNo / –5 / 2No
4NoneNo / –5 / 2No

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
Fees$16 per night, $8 per night with an Interagency Senior or Access Pass
Dark skyInside Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park

Alamo Canyon Campground has four campsites with charcoal grills, picnic tables, a pit toilet, and trash cans. It is tent camping only; RVs, motorhomes, and trailers are not permitted. Wood fires and ground fires are not allowed. Generators are prohibited.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground50°60°70°80°90°January: 0.99 inches of precipitationFebruary: 0.89 inches of precipitationMarch: 0.78 inches of precipitationApril: 0.31 inches of precipitationMay: 0.18 inches of precipitationJune: 0.11 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.32 inches of precipitationAugust: 1.82 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.75 inches of precipitationOctober: 0.56 inches of precipitationNovember: 0.44 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.13 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 56.0°F averageFebruary: 57.9°F averageMarch: 63.3°F averageApril: 68.8°F averageMay: 76.3°F averageJune: 84.8°F averageJuly: 89.7°F averageAugust: 89.3°F averageSeptember: 84.5°F averageOctober: 74.3°F averageNovember: 63.4°F averageDecember: 55.4°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Organ Pipe Cactus NM, 9 miles from the campground at 1,678 feet, station USC00026132 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 9 inches a year.

Getting there

There is no road sign along the highway for the Alamo Canyon Road. Alamo Canyon Road is located at milepost 65.5 on the east side of AZ State Route 85, on the north side of the concrete bridge that crosses Alamo Wash. Alamo Canyon Campground is located at the end of the Alamo Canyon Road.

Nearest townAjo, Arizona
Coordinates32.0729° N, 112.7281° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗10.5 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Exploring Serenity: Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monume

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Organ Pipe Cactus Wilderness.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. This is a showcase for creatures who have adapted themselves to the extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and little rainfall that characterize this Southwest region. Thirty-one species of cacti have mastered the art of living in this place, including the park's namesake and the giant saguaro. Here, the life of the Sonoran Desert is protected and allowed to flourish under nearly ideal wilderness conditions. The monument is an outstanding natural preserve where one of the Earth's major ecosystems survives almost unspoiled.

Recreation

Along with photography and birding, hiking is ideal here. There is a 0.9 mile one way trail that leads into Alamo Canyon from the campground. Beyond the campground there are miles of hiking trails laced around Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, some easy, others more strenuous. Always carry water and snacks, and avoid hiking during the hottest parts of the day. Stop at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for recommendations.

Nearby

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. This is a showcase for creatures who have adapted themselves to the extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and little rainfall that characterize this Southwest region. Thirty-one species of cacti have mastered the art of living in this place, including the park's namesake and the giant saguaro. Here, the life of the Sonoran Desert is protected and allowed to flourish under nearly ideal wilderness conditions. The monument is an outstanding natural preserve where one of the Earth's major ecosystems survives almost unspoiled.

Guidebooks for Arizona

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Camping Arizona
    Bruce Grubbs, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Tent Camping: Arizona
    Kirstin Olmon Phillips and Kelly Phillips, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
    Mike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Sites at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

$16 per night, $8 per night with an Interagency Senior or Access Pass

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground have?

4 sites, including 4 tent-only sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground good for stargazing?

Yes. Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground sits inside Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park.

Source: DarkSky International

What is there to do at Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Along with photography and birding, hiking is ideal here. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground?

Ajo, Arizona. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert.

Source: Getting there

What if Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Twin Peaks Campground (10.2 mi), Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground (68.3 mi), and Margies Cove West Campground (73.3 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground in?

Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground is a Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument