Ajo Desert Zone

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Ajo Desert Zone is one of the most protected deserts in the world. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is charged with the mission to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” Regulations at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds require visitors to Ajo Desert Zone to minimize human impact on its delicate and fragile natural environment. Unlike other desert areas, including Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park, the Ajo Desert is home to more than 1,000 flora and fauna species, many of which exist only in this region.

The zone is a by-product of the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 that finalized the border between the United States and Mexico. Initially purchased with the idea of a southern transcontinental railroad in mind, the purchase was crisscrossed with trails between the few established communities such as Why, AZ, and Ajo, AZ. Sparsely populated and with few natural resources, the area was considered of little use except as a transportation corridor from Texas to California. Today, the region is prized for its most important treasures — the spectacular land, views, and pristine environment that draw millions of visitors each year.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Bull Pasture/Estes Canyon Loop Trail

Located next door to the Ajo Desert Zone, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument provides two exceptional trails. The first is the Bull Pasture/Estes Canyon Loop Trail. The trail begins as an upward climb into the Ajo Mountains, where hikers find 360-degree panoramas that take in the entirety of the mountains and into Mexico. The return trip takes hikers through Estes Canyon, crossing many washes.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Organ Pipe Cactus and Mines Loop Trail

The second quality hiking trail is the Organ Pipe Cactus and Mines Loop Trail. This trail leads into the desert to two mines — the Baker mine and the Milton Mine. The path moves up and down steep draws, across saddles, and along flat desert areas filled with organ pipe cactus. Along the way, hikers ascend as much as 2,000 feet before descending back to their initial trailhead.

Length: 10.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Climbing

The two best rock climbs near the Ajo Desert Zone are Montezuma’s Head and Mount Ajo. Of the two, Montezuma’s Head, with a 600-foot vertical climb after a grueling approach, is the most challenging, and Mount Ajo is a bit easier, with a scramble of 400 feet to reach the peak.

Wildlife Viewing

The list of Ajo Desert Zone wildlife is among the most impressive found anywhere in the world. The list runs from exotic insects like tarantulas, scorpions, and the Pepsis wasp to cold-blooded animals like the Gila monster, desert tortoise, and diamondback rattlesnake. Warm-blooded animals are just as exotic, with bobcats, javelina, and rock squirrels being the most abundant. Anna’s hummingbird, Gila woodpeckers, cactus wrens, and elf owls populate the skies, flitting about in colorful patterns.

Picnicking

While there are no picnic tables within the boundaries of the Ajo Desert Zone itself, picnic tables are placed in several nearby locations. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument provides picnic tables near many of its trailheads, and the Sonoran Desert National Monument offers many picnicking areas inside its campgrounds.

Stargazing

Far from any significant city, the night sky is fantastic in the Arizona desert. In this area, it is easy for anyone to see how light pollution reduces visibility. The closer you get to Tucson or Phoenix, the more the lights of the cities interfere with stargazing.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

There are two types of BLM RV camping sites: developed and undeveloped. In the Ajo Desert Zone, the BLM decided to side with nature and offered no such amenities for visitors. There are a few private RV parks, including Coyote Howls West RV Park and Sonoran Skies Campground, but these are not located on BLM land.

Free Camping

On the other hand, Bureau of Land Management free camping is available nearly anywhere you can park an RV in the desert. One of the most popular boondocking sites is the Gunsight Wash Dispersed Camping Site located just outside the Ajo Desert Zone. This is a popular camping area with several sites established by former campers. Though visitors are welcome to camp in this area, they should try to use an established campsite before creating a new one.

RV Rentals Near Ajo Desert Zone Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Ajo Desert Zone BLM trip

Using an Internet search requesting “BLM camping near me” for Why, AZ (two miles from the Ajo Desert Zone) as a central location finds several campgrounds in the vicinity. Though these BLM sites are primitive, many visitors post reviews of their camping experience. Check these reviews out before deciding which BLM campground to visit.

Many who visit the area are wildlife enthusiasts who appreciate the austerity of BLM RV camping near the Ajo Desert Zone. Dispersed camping may be more challenging than staying in a developed RV park or resort, but it contributes to the sanctity of the location, which is an essential element in a fragile environment like that found near the Ajo Desert Zone. For a successful dispersed camping experience, pack extra canned goods, insect repellent, and cooking utensils, and bring a portable toilet to carry away waste safely. Before heading out on a trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The “leave no trace” regulation is a BLM requirement while camping in vulnerable areas like the Ajo Desert Zone. The two most pertinent principles of “leave no trace behind” in this area are traveling and hiking on durable surfaces and minimizing campfire impacts. Using established trails reduces the likelihood of scarring the environment with several tracks wandering around the landscape. Reduce the effects of campfires by retaining them in a wide skillet with high lips. This keeps fires contained, and ashes are quickly cooled with little water use before being placed in a container to be carried away.

Ajo Desert Zone Location

To reach Ajo Desert Zone from Phoenix, take I-10 W for 29.8 miles to the exit for AZ-85 S. Stay on AZ-85 S for 87.8 miles to reach Why, AZ. Beyond that, travel two more miles on AZ-85 S to the Ajo Desert Zone.

Address: Ajo, AZ 85321

Ready to visit Ajo Desert Zone? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to, where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RV Share.