Pipe Spring National Monument, a little known part 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 1860s 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. (The "Arizona Strip" is 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 and museum (developed in partnership with the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians), tours of Winsor Castle, summer "living history" demonstrations, an orchard and garden, horses, longhorns and chickens, and a half-mile trail offer a glimpse of American Indian and pioneer life in the Old West.
The Basics
Location:
15 miles west of Fredonia in Northern Arizona
Hours:
June - Sep.: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Sep. - May: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Season:
Open year round
Price:
$5 (15 and under free)
Address:
401 N. Pipe Spring Road
Fredonia, AZ 86022
Phone:
928-643-7105
Fax:
928-643-7583
Map
Some More Things to Know
Pipe Spring National Monument is surrounded by the Kaibab
Indian Reservation. The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians operates a
campground 1/4 mile from the monument, as well as a gas station and
convenience store. Pipe Spring is also on the way to eight different
National Parks and Monuments, all within a 2 hour drive. These include
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon National Parks; Cedar Breaks, Grand
Staircase-Escalante, Vermillion Cliffs, and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monuments; and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Directions
To get there from I-15 in Utah, turn onto Hwy 9 in Hurricane, Utah. Take Hwy 59 east out of Hurricane. This road turns into Hwy 389 at the state line. Pipe Spring is 45 miles east of Hurricane.
To get there from Hwy 89 and 89A, turn onto Arizona State Route 389 in Fredonia, Arizona. Pipe Spring is 15 miles west of Fredonia.
Climate
Summer: Daytime highs 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.
Winter: Daytime highs around 40° F (4° C), and night time lows near 20° F (-7° C). Occasional snow.
Pipe Spring National Monument and the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians recently teamed up and developed a new museum. Through twelve new exhibits visitors learn about the history of the Kaibab Paiutes, their interactions with other tribes and cultures, the movement of Mormon settlers into the area, as well as modern day Paiute culture. The museum is open daily and includes a 5-minute introductory video.
Guided Tours
Winsor Castle (the Fort) is accessible by ranger guided tours. These tours are offered every thirty minutes, on the hour and half hour, all year long.
On Your Own
The grounds of the monument can be visited on your own. The East and West Cabins contain exhibits on cowboying and historic preservation. 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-appple trees, as well as grapes. Stop by the corrals and visit the horses and longhorn cattle. A hike on the 1/2 mile long Ridge Trail offers great views of the Arizona Strip.
Talks and Demonstrations
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.
