Pipe Spring National Monument

Understand

Pipe Spring National Monument offers a shady oasis on an Arizona highway, a wealth of history including that of Mormon pioneers and Kaibab Paiute Indians, and live historical demonstrations in the summer. Pipe Spring is worth stopping in for an hour or two when travelling in Northern Arizona. It is also one of a handful of Mormon historical sites not managed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

History

Pipe Spring is a water source in the desert that has been used by humans for thousands of years, and the site of an historic cattle ranch established in 1870. Several stone buildings from the pioneer era remain, including a fortified ranch house called Winsor Castle. A new cultural museum displays Native American and pioneer exhibits. An orchard, garden, farm animals, ponds, Kaibab Paiute Indian camp and 1/2-mile trail are also on the site. It is a great place to travel in the Summer.

Winsor Castle, named after Anson P. Winsor (the first superintendent of the ranch), was built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be a tithing cattle ranch.

The reservation of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians surrounds the national monument. Their story is told in the cultural museum.

A tour of Winsor Castle takes about a half hour. Allow a half hour to an hour to browse the cultural museum. A hike on the beautiful Rim Trail will add another 30 minutes to your visit.

Landscape

This is a desert landscape and that is what makes Pipe Spring such an important location. American Indians, Mormon pioneers, plants, animals, and others have depended on the life-giving water found at Pipe Spring.

Flora and fauna

You will see the normal desert flowers in the area. Enjoy pioneer and American Indian crops from the garden during the summer. The orchard contains mostly historic varieties of peach, apple, apricot, plum, and crab-apple trees, as well as grapes.

Climate

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

In winter, daytime highs are around 40 °F (4 °C), and night time lows in the teens (- 10 °C). There is occasional snow.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

By plane

The closest city with commercial air service is St. George, Utah.

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is 3.5 hours west. Take Interstate 15 to St. George and follow State Route 9 to Hurricane.

Salt Lake City International Airport is 5 hours north. Take Interstate 15 to Anderson Junction and follow State Route 17 to Hurricane.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 4 hours south. Take US Route 89 straight to Fredonia.

By 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 west of Fredonia.

Public transportation

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

Fees and permits

As of 2020, an entrance fee of $10 per person is charged, valid for seven days; the entrance fee includes a $3 per person tribal use fee. Children 15 years old and under are admitted free.

Operating hours

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, with the exception of the Navajo Reservation on the state's northeast corner. Pipe Spring National Monument is on Mountain Standard Time all year.

Summer (June through August): Monument grounds and Visitor Center/Museum are open 7AM to 5PM. Tours of Winsor Castle are offered on the hour and half hour from 8AM to 4:30PM. Demonstrations, talks or walks are offered during the morning hours.

Winter (September through May): Monument grounds and Visitor Center/Museum are open 8AM to 5PM. Tours of Winsor Castle are offered on the hour and half hour from 9AM to 4PM

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

Get around

Pipe Spring National Monument is a "walk-in" park. Visitors enter the Pipe Spring National Monument-Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum. The historic buildings, garden, orchard and trailhead are located 150 yards beyond the Visitor Center and Museum.

Stay safe

The National Monument is out of the way, so plan on having plenty of gas in your car and it would be a good idea to take along snacks and water.

Go next

• North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This view is not as crowded as the South rim and is only open during the summer. Head east on AZ 389 to Fredonia, southeast on US 89A to Jacob Lake, then south on AZ 67.
• Zion National Park just north in Utah - head east on AZ 389 to Fredonia, then north on US 89A through Kanab to Mt Carmel Junction, then west on UT 9.