The 129,000-acre Ironwood Forest National Monument features a network of cultural and historical sites spanning a 5,000-year period. Among its ancient legume and cactus forests grows one of the Sonoran Desert's richest stands of Ironwood trees that can live more than 800 years. The monument also contains several rugged desert mountain ranges: Silverbell, Waterman and Sawtooth. Ragged Top Mountain is a biological and geological crown jewel. A bighorn sheep herd and other wildlife roam the monument. Elevations range from 1,800 to 4,261 feet.
Total size: 129,000 acres

Location:
The Ironwood Forest National Monument is located 25 miles northwest of Tucson, and about one hour by highway south of Phoenix.

Historical Facts:
Among evidence of human inhabitants are more than 200 sites from the prehistoric Hohokam period (600 A.D. to 1450 A.D.). Some archeological sites contain rock art. Three areas are listed on the National Register of Historic Places-the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District.
Designation Date: June 9, 2000, by President William J. Clinton.

 

Watch the Clip Sunrise in Ironwood Forest just northwest of Tucson. Ragged Top Mountain towers above the desert floor. Its yawning shadow crosses 129,000 acres of pristine Sonoran terrain. Windows Media file: PC compatible Low: 296 KB | High: 756 KB QuickTime movie: Macintosh/PC compatible 1.59 MB >>Free software downloads: Windows Media- Quicktime

Learn More:

BLM Homepage (Arizona)

Ironwood Forest Fact Sheet/BLM

Ironwood Forest Photo Gallery/BLM

Ironwood Forest Maps/BLM

Managing Agency:
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Tucson Field Office
12661 East Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85748
(520) 258-7200