Here is our itinerary

Chandler (3 nights): visiting Botanical Garden in Phoenix, hiking at the Superstition Wilderness area

Gila Bend (1 night) from where we visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Park

Sierra Vista (1 week) where we focused on hiking and bird watching. Too many amazing places to list here but if anyone is interested in places for hiking and bird watching please ask as we are in a process of writing our detailed trip report.

Tucson (3 nights) hiking in Saguaro East and Pusch Ridge Wilderness area.

If you are thinking about visiting this area of Arizona and are intersted in hiking and other outdoor activities let me know and I will be happy to share our personal experiences with you.

Hi, Wildflower! Glad you had a great trip, and I'm very glad you spent a week in Sierra Vista. Its environs are amazingly beautiful, and so few people know to go there, I'm pleased you "discovered" it! Did you get a chance to visit the Desert Museum in Tucson? If not, put it on your list for next time, it's a wonderful, non-zoo-like place to spend an afternoon. Thanks for the itinerary!

Hey wildflower,

We're visiting Organ Pipe Nat'l Park this summer as part of our 3 week road trip. How much hiking did you do? Can much be seen from the van as it'll be 100+ when we're there

We visited Saquaro two summers ago and were able to see most of it between driving and SHORT hikes.

How long did it take to get there from Phoenix and where did you stay in Gila Bend?

Thanks for the post; would love a more detailed report!

Not many places to stay in Gila Bend. I've alwasys stayed at the Space Age Motel (Best Western)

Did you get to Bisbee when you were at Sierra Vista. It's an interesting old mining town. Great underground mine tour (Copper Queen Mine). Father east is the Chiricauhua National Monument which I really enjoy with its Hoodoos (rock pillars)

E.
When planning our trip to Arizona I got some ideas from your posts. So thank you.
We loved Sierra Vista. All around there are places to hike, walk, bird watch.

Here are some of our hikes:
-Carr Peak (what an unforgettable road to get to the trailhead).
-short trail from Montezuma Pass to Coronado Peak
-Sheelite trail at Fort Huachuca. We also visited two museums there, Fort Huachuca and Army Intelligence.
-Sugarloaf Mtn at Chiricauhua National Monument
We took a guided walks at Ramsey Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita, both run by the Nature Conservancy. We had an exceptional guide at the Ramsey.
Would you recommend any other places in that area?

We liked SV so much that we decided to return there next April or March and rent a house or a cabin for two weeks or a whole month.

We visited the Desert Museum in Tucson but personally, I enjoyed much more the Botanical Garden in Phoenix. After two safaris in Africa my heart aches each time I see animals or birds on display regardless how large those enclosed areas are.

Ellen
There are two scenic drives, the Ajo Mountain Drive (21 miles long) and the Puerto Blanco Drive (53 miles)
We hiked to Victoria Mine (4.6 miles round trip) but there was no shade and I would not even think about hiking any part of this trail during the summer when temperature reaches over 105 F
After our hike we had only enough time to travel on the Ajo Drive. It is unpaved, one way and very slow road. There are many pull out so you can enjoy scenery, cacti and take photos.
When you get to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument go to the Visitor Center and buy the road guide ($0.75) that describes fauna and scenery. When you get to #13 at 9.4 miles there you?ll see a natural arch. Park your car and take a short walk. We were overwhelmed by scenery. It is simply amazing.

Drive slowly as there may be rattle snakes crossing the road. They are protected. This is only one place where we were fortunate to see a shy Gila Monster. I have a great photo to prove it. If you planning to drive on the Puerto Blanco road get another road guide for $0.75
Have plenty of water and be prepared to be stopped by the Border Patrol.

From Chandler it took us, I think, under three hours to get there with a stop at the Best Western to leave our bags. Best Western, where Bigtyke always stayed, is OK place for one night but we did not expect much for $59.00 However, at their restaurant food and service were terrible. But we survived and had a fantastic visit to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Bigtyke
We visited Beesbe on the way from the Chiricauhua National Monument. We were too tired to take a tour but we drove through town and also saw a gigantic hole in the ground

Sounds like you made a pretty comprehensive foray, Wildflower, even braving those museums on the Fort! For your next trip, I'd suggest, in no particular order: Coronado Peak, for the drive, the views, and the hiking; the San Pedro House on the river, for walking and birding; dinner in Bisbee at Cafe Roka and/or the High Desert Inn; a leisurely drive to Patagonia and Sonoita, with eyes peeled for desert antelope and lunch or dinner; the Copper Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee, b/c it's run by the retired miners and is really well done, plus you get to wear big helmets with lights and yellow slickers and ride down on the little old mining cars (it's always about 50 degrees in the mine, so dress warmly even if if it's hot above);and more time in Ramsey Canyon, all the trails into the mountains, and the canyons on the Fort. Oh, how I wish I were there right now! Thanks for the chance to live vicariously!