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Picacho Peak State Park
Box 275, Picacho
Arizona 85241
Phone: (520) 466-3183
The park is located
off I-10, on exit 219; 60 miles south of Phoenix, and 40 miles north
of Tucson.
Picacho Peak was
often used as a landmark by early explorers. During the 17th
century, dedicated Jesuit priest Father Kino mentioned Picacho Peak
in records of his journeys into Arizona, and in 1775, the DeAnza
Expeditions passed by the Peak.
In 1846, the Mormon
Battalion, on their way to California to fight in the war with
Mexico, constructed a wagon road through Picacho Pass. The
forty-niners traveled the same road on their way to California, and
in 1858, mail and passengers traveled this route via the Butterfield
Overland Stage. This route is now used by the Transcontinental
Railroad.
The most
significant Civil War battle in Arizona took place near Picacho Peak
on April 15, 1862, when an advance detachment of Union forces from
California attacked a Confederate scouting party. The battle lasted
for 1-1/2 hours, and three Union soldiers were killed. Every March,
“The Civil War in the Southwest” comes alive again as over two
hundred re-enactors converge on Picacho Peak on foot and horseback.
Visitors enjoy
viewing exciting mock battles that took place in Arizona and New
Mexico during the Civil War. Also on display at the March
reenactment are recreated military camps and living history
demonstrations.
Facilities:
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Camping with or
without electric - 100 sites available, on a first-come,
first-served basis
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Picnic areas
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Ramadas
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Grills
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Dumpstation
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Restrooms
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Showers
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Trails
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Historical
markers
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Playground
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Group areas for
day and overnight use available by reservation
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