Pipe Spring National Monument

Pipe Spring National Monument, a little known gem of the National Park System, is rich with American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history. Lin and I visited the Monument on 1/18/04, along with our two dogs.  We were delighted to find that our very large dogs were welcome, except in the fort, itself, for the guided tour.  The water of Pipe Spring has made it possible for plants, animals, and people to live in this dry, desert region.   However, grazing of large cattle herds by Mormon settlers and a severe dry spell in the late 1800's turned a once-lush grassland to desert in only a few years.  Ancestral Puebloans and Kaibab Paiute Indians gathered grass seeds, hunted animals, and raised crops near the springs for at least 1,000 years. In the 1860s Mormon pioneers brought cattle to the area and by 1872 a fort was built over the main spring. The fort, called "Winsor Castle" after the first ranch manager, was built by the Mormon Church to be the headquarters of a large cattle ranching operation. This isolated outpost served as a way station for people traveling across the Arizona Strip, that part of Arizona separated from the rest of the state by the Grand Canyon. It also served as a refuge for polygamist wives during the 1880's and 1890's.  Although their way of life was greatly impacted, the Paiute Indians continued to live in the area and by 1907 the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation was established, surrounding the privately owned Pipe Spring ranch. In 1923 the Pipe Spring ranch was purchased and set aside as a national monument. Today a visitor center, tours of Winsor Castle, summer "living history" demonstrations, an orchard and garden, and a half-mile trail offer a glimpse of American Indian and pioneer life in the Old West.

DESIGNATIONS
National Monument - May 31, 1923

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Operating Hours, Seasons
NOTE: Pipe Spring National Monument is on Mountain Standard Time all year.  Take the half-mile hike and experience wonderful vistas.  Dogs on leashes are allowed - be sure to take bags to pick up after your pet.

Summer (June through September): Monument grounds and Visitor Center are open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tours of Winsor Castle are offered on the hour and half hour from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Winter (September through May): Monument grounds and Visitor Center are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tours of Winsor Castle are offered on the hour and half hour from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  No dogs are allowed on the fort tour.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.

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Getting There

Car - From Interstate 15, turn onto Utah State Route 9 in Hurricane, Utah. Take Utah State Route 59 east out of Hurricane. This road turns into Arizona State Route 389 at the state line. Pipe Spring is 45 miles east of Hurricane.

From Utah Highway 89 and 89A, turn onto Arizona State Route 389 in Fredonia, Arizona. Pipe Spring is 15 miles east of Fredonia.

Public Transportation - Bus and shuttle transportation are available from Las Vegas to St. George, Utah. 

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Weather & Climate

Summer: Daytime highs in the mid to upper 90's F (38 C) and night time lows near 70 F (16 C). Summer afternoons often bring sudden thunderstorms, so an umbrella or rain gear could be helpful.

Winter: Daytime highs around 40 F (4 C), and night time lows near 20 F (-7 C). Occasional snow.

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Accessibility

The Visitor Center and gift shop are accessible to wheelchairs. An accessible restroom is located in the Visitor Center. Paved sidewalks lead to all the historic structures and the orchard. Interiors of the historic structures are not wheelchair accessible.

A written tour guide for the Winsor Castle tour is available at the Visitor Center or Winsor Castle for the hearing or mobility impaired.

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Getting Around

Pipe Spring National Monument is a "walk-in park". The Visitor Center is located 150 yards from the historic structures, garden, and orchard.

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PIPE SPRING NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER
Open Year round
Open From 06/01 to 10/01 from 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Open From 10/01 to 06/01 from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Phone - 928-643-7105

Location - The Visitor Center at Pipe Spring National Monument is found at the entrance to the Monument.

Closures - Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.

Available Facilities - The restrooms are located in the Visitor Center complex as well as a bookstore/gift shop.

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Pipe Spring has three historic buildings open to the public year round. Winsor Castle (the Fort) is accessible only by ranger guided tours. These tours are offered every thirty minutes, on the hour and half hour. The East and West Cabins can be visited by self guided tour.

The Monument grounds include a garden, orchard, corrals (complete with longhorn cattle and horses), other farm livestock, and a half-mile trail offering impressive views of the Arizona Strip. These can be visited by self guided tour.

During the summer months ranger guided walks, talks, and demonstrations of pioneer and Indian crafts are offered daily.

RECREATION/ACTIVITIES
Bird Watching
Hiking
Interpretive Programs
Nature Walks

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Camping

Kaibab Camper Village
Jacob Lake
Fredonia, AZ  86022
(928) 643-7804

Kaibab Lodge Camper Village
Jacob Lake Forest Rd
Fredonia, AZ  86022
(928) 643-7804