Fall Road Trip 2023 - Bullhead City to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

From Death Valley, we drove south and ended up stopping for the night just outside of Bullhead City at the Davis Campground. We were a bit worried as it was right beside the highway but it was also a long campground situated along the Colorado River (and beside the Davis Dam) so we well away from any traffic noise. 

The wind picked up overnight. So much so that we cancelled our plans to run/workout in the morning. To give an example . . . here's a video of the zero visibility dust storm we went through! 

Because of all the wind, we drove most of the day rather than stopping to wander and enjoy the scenery. We ended up between places to camp and stayed in a hotel in Buckeye, Arizona. It was a clean and new chain hotel (with a well equipped fitness room) but nice eating options were almost non-existent as it was mostly chain, fast food, and takeout places. And no decent coffee shops that we could find either! (I know! First world problems.) 

The next day we made it to our destination of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Along the way, we stopped at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and went for a short hike near the visitor centre. 

In the small town of Ajo, we found a great little coffee shop called Oasis Coffee. 

All along this route we encountered MANY motorcycles. We finally figured out they were on their way to the Rocky Point Motorcycle Rally in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, which is on the Sea of Cortez, not far across the border from where we were at Organ Pipe. 

Finally at Organ Pipe, we went for a hike into Red Tanks Tinaja (water hole) and a bit beyond towards Sentra Basis (about 4 km total). It was already late afternoon and, with sun setting so early these days, we didn't stay out too long. 

The organ pipe cactus after which the park is named.

We stayed at the park campground and this was the view when I got up to pee in the very early morning hours.