The 129,000 acre Ironwood Forest National Monument contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000 year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of Ironwood trees in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between. Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The landscape of the Ironwood Forest National Monument is swathed with the rich, drought-adapted vegetation of the Sonoran Desert. The monument contains objects of scientific interest throughout its desert environment. Stands of ironwood, palo verde and saguaro blanket the monument floor beneath the rugged mountain ranges, including the Silver Bell Mountains. Ragged Top Mountain is a biological and geological crown jewel amid the depositional plains in the monument.
The monument presents a quintessential view of the Sonoran Desert with ancient legume and cactus forests. The geologic and topographic variability of the monument contributes to the area’s high biological diversity. Ironwoods, which can live in excess of 800 years, generate a chain of influences on associated understory plants, affecting their dispersal, germination, establishment and rates of growth. Ironwood is the dominant nurse plant in this region and the Silver Bell Mountains support the highest density of ironwood trees recorded in the Sonoran Desert.
History & Culture
Ironwood Forest National Monument holds abundant rock art sites and other archeological objects of scientific interest. Humans have inhabited the area for more than 5,000 years. More than 200 sites from the prehistoric Hohokam period (600 A. D. to 1450 A. D.) have been recorded in the area. Two areas within the monument have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Los Robles Archeological District and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District. The archeological artifacts include rhyolite and brown chert chipped stone, plain and decorated ceramics and worked shell from the Gulf of California. The area also contains the remnants of the Mission Santa Ana, the last mission constructed in Pimeria Alta.
Nature & Science
The Ironwood Forest National Monument contains a valuable cross section of Basin and Range geology. Ragged Top Mountain is a 25 million year old rhyolitic peak adjacent to the porphyritic copper formation of the Silverbell Mountains. The Waterman Mountains, adjacent to the Silverbells on the south, are composed of ~300 million year old sedimentary rocks, including limestone.
Recreation
With a stunning diversity of bird and animal life, the Ironwood Forest National Monument offers visitors many opportunities for viewing wildlife. A dazzling display of spring wildflowers result from abundant winter rains. There are no facilities. Camping is allowed up to 14 days. Taking your vehicle off roads or trails is prohibited.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Ironwood Forest National Monument
BLM Tucson Field Office
12661 East Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85748-7208
Phone: 520-258-7200
Location
The Ironwood Forest National Monument is located 25 miles northwest of Tucson and about one hour by highway south of Phoenix. There are two main points of entry off of Interstate 10; at Avra Valley Road or from the Red Rock exit, southwest on Sasco Road to Silverbell Road.
