Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
Arizona

Treasured Landscapes: Hiking Organ Pipe and Saguaro National Park

Program No. 22724RJ
Join experts in southern Arizona to hike among the signature cacti of Saguaro National Park and Organ Pipe. Experience stunning landscapes and a dazzling array of life.
WishlistShare
Start
  • 22724-organ-pipe-national-monument-arizona-lghoz.jpg
  • 22724-desert-hikers-1c.jpg
  • 22724-ajo-mountains-arizona-c.jpg
  • 22724-hiking-organ-pipe-saguaro-national-park-lghozjpg.jpg
  • 22724-2c.jpg
  • 22724-1c.jpg
National ParksWalking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
7 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,999

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

LODGING & MEALS
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging & Meals For:
Nov 16, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025
Nov 03, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025
Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
Nov 16, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025
Jan 12, 2026 - Jan 18, 2026
Jan 18, 2026 - Jan 24, 2026
Jan 25, 2026 - Jan 31, 2026
Feb 09, 2026 - Feb 15, 2026
Feb 15, 2026 - Feb 21, 2026
Nov 02, 2026 - Nov 08, 2026
Nov 08, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
Nov 15, 2026 - Nov 21, 2026
Lodging and meal options may differ by date. Select a date to see the information specific to that date.
What You'll Eat
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
6 Dinners
Total: 17 Meals
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Where You'll Stay
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport
Visit Site
2 NIGHTS
Location: Tucson
Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
Visit Site
4 NIGHTS
Location: Ajo
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.
TripAdvisor Reviews





Recommended For You