Campground Perimeter Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

The trail is relatively flat, although there are some rocks that you need to watch out for if you are going to run around the campground.

The Campground Perimeter Trail is an easy loop around the Twin Peaks Campground at Organ Pipe National Monument. To access, drive past the Visitor Center and follow the signs to the left for Twin Peaks Campground. There is parking available roughly halfway around where the Victoria Mine Trail leaves, or in the campground.

There really isn't a start point or end point to the trail as it is a circle around the campground. Starting from the entrance station for the purpose of this description, head clockwise around the campground. You'll immediately see vegetation common in the Sonoran Desert, including Saguaro Cacti, Organ Pipe Cacti, Prickly Pear Cacti, Chain Fruit Cholla, and Teddy Bear Cholla. There are views of the surrounding mountains, both in Arizona and Mexico at points along the entire trail. Birds can be seen flying between the bushes and cacti, while you may encounter the random coyote, fox, or other desert dwelling animal as you make your way around the campground.

At 0.15 miles, a connector to the Palo Verde Trail breaks off to the left. At roughly 0.25 miles, the Palo Verde Trail takes off to the left and leads back to the Visitor Center. The trail continues to circle the campground at this point as it moves through several washes before arriving at the Victoria Mine Trail at roughly 0.6 miles. After passing the Victoria Mine Trail, the trail crosses the paved path that leads down to the amphitheater. The trail continues for another 0.3 miles until it reaches the checkin station where you started.

This is an easy trail, especially for those staying at the campground and looking to get in an exercise any time in the day. There is little to no shade along the trail, so make sure to where sunscreen and a hat, and bring some water to stay hydrated as you make your way around the campground.

Plants and animals common in the Sonoran Desert can be seen along the trail (Saguaro Cacti, Organ Pipe Cacti, Prickly Pear Cacti, Chain Fruit Cholla, and Teddy Bear Cholla). Coyotes can be seen in the early morning or in the evenings. Birds can be seen flying around the cacti in the park and Red Tail Hawks and other raptors can be seen soaring overhead. Saguaro, Organ Pipe, varieties of Cholla, Ironwood Trees, and many other plants can be seen as you make your way around the campground.