Pristine Sonoran Desert landscape is showcased in the 496,337-acre Sonoran Desert national monument. The most biologically diverse of the North American deserts, the Sonoran Desert exhibits most of its diversity in this monument. Most striking is the extensive saguaro cactus forest. The monument also contains three mountain ranges-Maricopa, Sand Tank and Table Top-separated by wide valleys, as well as three designated wilderness areas. Desert wildlife includes abundant amphibians in Vekol Valley during summer monsoons.
Total size: 496,337 acres.

Location:
Sonoran Desert National Monument is located in south central Arizona, 60 miles from Phoenix.

Historical Facts:
Many archeological sites include rock art, lithic quarries and scattered artifacts. Vekol Wash was an important travel/trade corridor between the Hohokam and Mexican tribes. Signs of large villages indicate that occupants were ancestors of today's O'odham, Quechan, Cocopah, Maricopa and other tribes. A heavily used 20-mile corridor includes remnants of several historic trails-Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, Mormon Battalion Trail and the Butterfield Overland Stage Route.
Designation Date: January 17, 2001, by President William J. Clinton.

 

Watch the Clip The mountains here rise abruptly from the desert floor, providing the only relief from what otherwise would be an endless sea of sand and grit. The lone peaks are called "sky islands." Windows Media file: PC compatible Low 202 KB | High 1.21 MB QuickTime movie: Macintosh/PC compatible 1.08 MB >>Free software downloads: Windows Media - Quicktime

 

Learn More:

BLM Homepage (Arizona)

Sonoran Desert Fact Sheet/BLM

Sonoran Desert Photo Gallery/BLM

Sonoran Desert Background/BLM

Sonoran Desert Maps/BLM


Managing Agency:
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Phoenix Field Office
21605 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
(623) 580-5500

 

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