The western and longer road tour of the National Monument is Puerto Blanco Drive and it is one of my favorite gravel roads in the Southwest. It provides amazing up close and personal views and interactions with Organ Pipe Cactuses, Saguaros, mine shafts, and rough and rugged desolate desert mountains. There are plenty of hikes along the road and the entire freakin’ thing is scenic and gorgeous.

The entire drive is 37 miles round trip and you must start it at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, heading north from there. It starts out two-way but eventually, the one-way and true adventure begin. You’ll pass the Dripping Springs Trail, Dripping Springs Mine Trail, and a couple picnic tables and pit toilets as you circle the Puerto Blanco Mountains and passing more Saguaros and Organ Pipe Cactuses than you can count of all shapes and sizes. Don’t be afraid to hop on out of your vehicle and wander around their beautiful scenery whenever the mood strikes you. Also, the Golden Bell Mine is a nice spot to take a driving break and check out one of the many mines that dot the Monument.

Eventually you’ll reach the oasis of Quitobaquito which is worth the walk around before you and the road parallel the Mexican border and the piddly-squat little fence separating the two nations. At this point the road’s mostly straight and sandy and I was going almost 60 mph on the desert foliage lined rough trail and having a blast the entire time. Although the Border Guards were a little curious at my racing and bouncing truck as they tailed me closely through the rugged desert road.

In between the Quitobaquito Oasis and the end of the amazing Puerto Blanco Drive is the northern spur of Senita Basin which sports a lovely trail amongst the Saguaros, Organ Pipe Cactuses, and the Sonoyta and Puerto Blanco Mountains. Shortly after the Senita Basin Road, you’re back on 85 and heading north where you’ll either leave the Monument or head to the beautiful Ajo Mountain drive.