The Organ Pipe Cactus (OPC) National Monument is an International Biosphere Reserve, revealing a thriving community of plants and animals and many sights and sounds. Too, human stories have been written about this land which is now held in trust as a desert preserve, recording several thousand years of their steps taken here in the path with the desert.

Upon arriving in this desert, you will find a scenic drive, a place to hike in the wilderness and even a place to camp for the night, which all will expose you to a living, thriving desert.

Located within the Sonoran Desert, the Organ Pipe Cactus park has 517 square miles that has been set aside as a preserve, primarily to preserve a habitat for the organ pipe cactus and other animals, geology, plants and even human history in the area.

The entrance to the preserve and the visitors center is located on SH 85 nearly 25 miles south of Why, Arizona.

The park is open 24 hours, 365 day a year. The visitors center is open from 9 am to 5 pm, ever day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Sonoran desert occupies a large area in the southwestern area of Arizona.

Winter camping at it′s best and half price for seniors to boot.

Upon awaking, I see the start of color in the east, grab my camera and begin snapping photos as the colors continue to grow with intensity.