When We Like to Ride This

Fall through spring when the temperatures are more moderate.

Terrain & Riding

Ridden and Reviewed by: RobertV / Guest Contributor
Reformed cyclocrosser. Cat lover and part-time van lifer. Seeking the sun and the backroads. Steel is real.

This was my first trip to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument after 3 years of visiting Southern AZ in the late winter. If you’ve never been, it is 100% worth the trip. I was amazed by how green the area is and blown away by the variety of cacti/flora. This ride, in particular, showcases the entire selection of what the Sonoran Desert has to offer, and I cannot recommend it enough.

With more than 3,500 native plant species, the Sonoran Desert has the most plant life north of the tropics. Some of the common types of plants in the Sonoran Desert include saguaro, cholla, prickly pear cactus, ocotillo, mesquite, ironwood, and palo verde. In such desolate conditions, cacti fruits ensure the abundant wildlife a reliable food source. In contrast, mesquite and palo verde trees provide must-have shade for our feathered, furry, and scaly friends.[Gaia Provides]

The Start / Mixed – Paved and Hard-packed gravel / ~ Miles 0 to 5
The ride leads out from the visitor center parking on a very short section of pavement before the road turns right, and the gravel begins on a 2 way stretch of road, climbing at a barely noticeable grade.

At the ~ 1 mile mark, the road begins to vary between short sections of gravel over hardpack(with some light washboard sections) and pavement. The terrain becomes more rolling, and the desert scenery becomes greener and lusher. This first section of road from the visitor center is deemed drivable for all vehicles, and I was passed by a few headed in either direction. Red blinky light recommended.

North Puerto Blanco Road / Primitive 4 wheel drive road / ~ Miles 5 to 22.5
When you reach the Pinkley Peak picnic area [~ mile 5], this marks the end of the 2-way road and the beginning of a long gradual descent with a few small climbs mixed in (nothing too steep). The road narrows as you pass through an open gate and a sign stating high clearance vehicles required from this point on. The flora closes in on you; and, the road surface becomes a bit less tame (reminiscent of most of the dirt roads featured in the Ajo Mountain Drive Loop also within the boundaries of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument). It is mostly hardpack dirt with some embedded large and small rock, with some sections of larger loose rock on top of hardpack, some rutting, some smooth red dirt, and some light washboard.

In short, this is a 15+ mile stretch of road with very little consistency regarding road surface. While not super technical, this stretch requires the rider to keep their eyes down and on the road, as things change frequently, and it would be very easy to take a spill or flat while taking in the scenery(which you will want to do) and not focusing on the road in front of you. I don’t say that scare anyone—it is all fun and rideable, but there isn’t a lot of consistency here, and this is where the views really start to vie for your attention. Take breaks along the way to take it all in, as the further into this section you go, the more dramatic the scenery.

Around mile 12.75, there is a small parking area where hikers can access a trail or two. I mention this as a point of demarcation because I found the next few miles to be the most stunning of the entire ride. Here the road hugs close to the base of a few larger rock structures and offers a different experience than the rest of the loop.

Near mile 17, you start another short gradual climb for about 1.5 miles topping out right around another small picnic area and what remains of the Golden Bell Mine—that is to say 2 shafts in the ground with metal grating placed over them. Not necessarily the most interesting aspect of the ride, but interesting nonetheless. This a good place to take a short break. After that, you begin the final part of the descending, which is mainly hardback or loose over hardpack, and with the slight downward trend, you can get going pretty good if that’s your intention. The road conditions these next few miles are some of the most consistent up until this point.

Around mile 20, you come to Bonita Well. This spot houses an abandoned water tower (old school “windmill”) and a cattle corral. After this spot, the immediate scenery becomes less dense and more open, with larger rock formations now in the distance.

About a mile beyond Bonita Well, there is a fenced off area to your right with an antenna tower, some solar panels, and a large propane tank. The next 1/4 to 1/2 mile is the most difficult part of the ride (as of February 2021). The road turns to loose and deep pebble gravel. It doesn’t last long, but it was a workout on 42 mm tires. I walked a few of the worst sections for a total of no more than 2 minutes of walking. Prepare for a short hike-a-bike if needed—it won’t ruin your day.

South Puerto Blanco Road / Hard-pack gravel / ~ Miles 22.5 to 24.0
At ~ mile 22.5, the road ends at a T intersection. Go left. This is the start of South Puerto Blanco Drive, which was previously closed due to “new” border wall construction from 2016 to 2020. This intersection also signals that you’re at the lowest elevation of the ride.

The road conditions here are hardpack or loose over hard with some sections of mild washboard, nothing to ruin your day. There is almost always light sand covering the road here, but not at all deep. The road is wide and open, and it’s the first time all day you can take a break from focusing on your line and just pedal your bike and take in the scenery.

Quitobaquito Springs / Primitive 4 wheel drive road / ~ Miles 24.0 to 24.5
At mile 24, there is another intersection. Take the right turn to Quitobaquito Springs. “This isolated pond is home to three species that occur naturally nowhere else in the U.S.: the Quitobaquito spring snail, the Sonoyta mud turtle and the desert caper (also known, charmingly, as the vomitbush).”

This is also the turn around point. Retrace your tracks back to the visitor center, 24 miles with more up than down. 1300 feet of gain, 700 of descent.

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Keep an eye out to spot a rare Senita Cactus—I found only a few the entire ride, and they were all in the first few miles of this section.

The Senita looks very similar to the Organ Pipe cactus, but the senita has a dense cluster of spines near the top of mature branches. [Arizona Daily Independent]

The Start

Kris Eggle Visitor Center. Flush toilets and water. National Park pass required, follow this link for more info.

Food & Water

• None

Route Notes

1. In December of 2023 we made a major revision to the route from loop to out and back. The Park Service revised their bike policy such that now “biking is now allowed on all roads open to vehicle traffic and it is allowed in both directions, even down one-way roads.” Now you get the best of the best, and not the “junk miles” along the border wall and on the highway. The turn around point is at Quitobaquito Springs.

2. There are some sections with jumping cholla along the gravel roads, so … be careful! And carry a flattened metal fork … the best tool for removing one from your skin.

3. The following two reviews of Puerto Blanco Driver are worth a few minutes of your time.

   • by The American Southwest and,
   • by Arizona Highways.

Route Options

For a shorter ride, start at the Pinkley Peak picnic area (parking and toilets) at about mile 5 and go to Bonita Well at about mile 18. This would make for a 26 mile out and back and is the sector with the most remarkable views.

About 2/3 of the way into South Puerto Blanco Drive, there is a spur road to your left. Take it, and it’s a 4-mile ride to Senita Basin, a sheltered location at the south edge of the Puerto Blanco Mountains. It is said to be the best place to see the three large cacti species growing together, and there are several hiking trails to access. The out and back will add 8 miles to your day. I’m not sure of the road conditions/elevation changes—though I did see a few regular passenger cars coming and going, so I doubt it’s anything unrideable.

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!