Treasured Landscapes: Hiking Organ Pipe and Saguaro National Park

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.

Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast, and enjoy classic American dishes in The Garden Grille & Bar restaurant. Grab snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience store. Keep up with work in the Business Center, which offers printing and photocopying access, or host a conference in the 4,488 sq. ft. Santa Rita room for up to 250 guests. Swim laps in the beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river and whirlpool for the whole family to enjoy, or work out in the fitness center with cardio machines and weights. To keep fit in the comfort of your own room, borrow a Stay Fit Kit® from reception.

The Sonoran Desert Conference Center is located in Ajo, Arizona, a former copper mining town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Roughly two hours from Tucson and just 15 minutes from the entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Center is ideally located for a learning adventure in the spectacular Sonoran Desert. Ajo’s historic town center was designed in 1914 by the firm Kenyon & Maine at the behest of John Greenway, the first owner of the New Cornelia Copper Mine. Inspired by the City Beautiful movement, Greenway and his partners sought to design a town that would keep mine workers happy and productive. More than a century later and 30 years after the closure of the mine in 1985, the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and the arcaded town plaza is a vibrant center of community activity. A highlight of the Ajo town center is the Curley School Campus, an unmissable landmark. The school closed in 1995, when a new K-12 campus opened across town. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance purchased the property and converted two of its three main buildings – the stately 1919 main building and the “J-wing” - into the Curley School Artisan Apartments, putting Ajo on the map as a center of creativity and artistic endeavor. In 2011, ISDA began renovations on the third school building, an elementary annex added in 1940s, to transform it into the Sonoran Desert Conference Center. Architect Rob Paulus of Tucson came up with the design, which we call “Southwest Industrial”. The aesthetic elegantly blends the heritage of the building and the spirit of the region, retaining original school features and complementing them with warm tones, mountain views, and desert landscaping.