There is a moment, traveling through the Sonoran Desert, when the landscape seems to open farther than you thought possible. Growler Mountains Photo by Renee Tressler/USFWS USFWS Mountains rise from immense valleys. Saguaros stand miles apart beneath an enormous sky. Roads become quieter, town disappears from the rearview mirror and the desert begins to feel truly wild. Just beyond Ajo lies one of the best places in Arizona to experience that feeling: Cabeza Prieta National

The Ajo Scenic Loop is an approximately 10-mile drive through pristine wide-open Sonoran Desert landscape and historic Arizona mining country all within minutes of the Sonoran Desert Inn. For visitors planning a trip to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Scenic Loop makes an excellent companion adventure. It offers the same kind of dramatic desert beauty, including towering saguaros, sculptural organ pipe cactus and expansive mountain views, but with a character all its

There is something about the Sonoran Desert that inspires creativity. Maybe it is the quiet, the wide open skies, the slower pace, or the feeling of space to think and create. In Ajo, that creative spirit can be felt throughout the community — from galleries and artisan shops to colorful markets, handmade goods, and the artists who call this desert town home. Whether you are searching for a meaningful souvenir, one-of-a-kind artwork, or simply want to experience the creative