Getting Oriented
The route runs east-west along the U.S.-Mexico border zone in Pima and Yuma counties. The eastern access starts in Ajo, off State Route 85; the western access starts in Wellton, off Interstate 8. Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge covers the central 56 miles, the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range covers the western section, and BLM Yuma Field Office land bookends the route on either side. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument lies to the south, and the historic mining town of Ajo is the practical staging point for east-bound trips.
Trail Overview
One hundred and thirty miles of dirt, point-to-point. The eastern half through Cabeza Prieta is graded sand and dirt across creosote flats and bajadas, with widely-spaced primitive campsites at Papago Well, Tule Well, and Christmas Pass. The route then enters the Goldwater Range near Tinajas Altas, where the terrain turns rockier as the road threads volcanic ridges. The Tinajas Altas tinajas, a series of nine rainwater-fed pools in the Tinajas Altas Mountains, are the route's most documented landmark. An estimated 65 graves cluster nearby; most travelers who died on the historic camino did so within the final 30 miles before reaching the Gila River.
Most parties run the route east to west across two or three days. There are no developed campgrounds, no water, and no services anywhere on the route. The Goldwater Range is an active military bombing and gunnery range, so road closures for live-fire exercises happen on short notice.
Permits
Two separate permits are required, both free.
- Cabeza Prieta NWR permit. Available at the refuge office in Ajo (1611 N. 2nd Ave) or downloadable online. Includes a hold-harmless agreement.
- Barry M. Goldwater Range permit. Issued by the U.S. Air Force through the iSportsman portal at luke.isportsman.net. Pick up at the Cabeza Prieta office in Ajo or at MCAS Yuma if approaching from the west. Permits cover both the East and West ranges; the western section of the camino is on BMGR West.
Both permits must be carried in the vehicle and produced if checked by Border Patrol or range personnel.
Points of Interest
- Papago Well. A drilled well midway across Cabeza Prieta with a primitive campsite. Water is for wildlife only and not drinkable for humans without treatment and verification.
- Tule Well. Historic well site with a primitive campsite, used as a staging point by 19th-century travelers.
- Tinajas Altas. The nine rainwater pools that gave the route its name in many old sources. Cluster of historic graves nearby.
- Pinacate Volcanic Field. Visible across the border to the south; the volcanic field's lava flows and cinder cones are a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Mexican side.
- Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. 860,000 acres of designated wilderness with Sonoran pronghorn habitat. Most of the refuge is closed to general access; the camino corridor is the public route.
Where to Camp
Primitive camping is allowed at designated sites within Cabeza Prieta: Papago Well, Tule Well, and Christmas Pass are the main ones. No facilities, no water, no fees. The refuge requires registration through the permit system. On BMGR, dispersed camping is allowed in approved areas listed on the iSportsman permit; check the current map. BLM land at either end has dispersed camping under standard 14-day rules. Ajo has an RV park and motels for staging; Wellton has a small motel and gas at the western exit.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The route is single-season. Daytime highs reach 120°F May through September, and the lack of water makes a breakdown potentially fatal in summer. Drive between November and March.
- Carry at least a gallon of drinking water per person per day, plus a 10-gallon vehicle reserve. There is no potable water on the route.
- A full-size spare and a plug kit are mandatory. The volcanic stretches eat tires, and recovery distances are long.
- Convoy with one other vehicle. The agencies recommend it; the dispatch radius for self-rescue is realistic only with a second rig.
- Goldwater Range closures happen during live-fire exercises. Check the iSportsman portal the morning of the drive.
- Border Patrol presence is constant. Cooperate at checkpoints and have permits ready.
- The Cabeza Prieta refuge office (520-387-6483) holds current conditions and can confirm whether the route is open before you commit.
