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. The water of Pipe Spring has made it possible for plants, animals, and people to live in this dry, desert region. 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 1860's 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.

HC 65 Box 5
406 North Pipe Spring Road
Fredonia, AZ 86022
928-643-7105 - Offices
928-643-7105 - Visitor Information

By Plane
McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada is 3.5 hours west of Pipe Spring. The Salt Lake International Airport is 6 hours north of Pipe Spring.

By Car
From Interstate 15, turn onto Utah State Route 9 in Hurricane, Utah. Take 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.

By Plane
Bus and shuttle transportation are available from Las Vegas to St. George, Utah. From St. George follow the By Car directions from Interstate 15.

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.

Summer: Daytime highs in the mid to upper 90's F (38 C) and night time lows near 60 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.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Hiking
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
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 and lifeways are offered daily in the cooler morning hours.