El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Sonora, Mexico
The reserve spans 7,146 square kilometers of volcanic formations and sand dunes at the intersection of the Sonoran Desert and Gulf of California.
Between 1965 and 1970, NASA selected this terrain for astronaut training due to its geological similarities with the lunar surface.
The Tohono O'odham people maintain deep connections to this land, considering the Pinacate Peak as the sacred location of their creation story.
Visitors enter through the Biological Station at kilometer 51 on Highway 8 between Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco, where they register for crater route tours.
The area contains North America's largest active dune field, featuring star-shaped dunes and the highest concentration of maar-type craters in the world.
Location: Sonora
Inception: June 28, 2006
Operator: Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
Website: https://elpinacate.com.mx
GPS coordinates: 32.00000,-113.91667
Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:10
Mexico contains numerous undiscovered places beyond standard destinations. This selection presents sculpture gardens, caves, islands, colonial towns, volcanoes, Maya sites, oases, lagoons and nature reserves. The locations range from mineral pools in Oaxaca to desert landscapes in Sonora.
Yuma Territorial Prison
104.1 km
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
51.6 km
Desert Sun Stadium
100.2 km
Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta biosphere reserve
66 km
McPhaul Suspension Bridge
96.9 km
El Elegante Crater
52.5 km
Cabeza Prieta Wilderness
55.5 km
Bates Well Ranch
93.1 km
Ajo Peak
102.3 km
Dos Lomitas Ranch
112.3 km
Brown House
104.1 km
Muggins Mountain Wilderness
88.7 km
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
103.6 km
United States Post Office–Yuma Main
103.9 km
Methodist Episcopal Church
104.1 km
Gachado Well and Line Camp
107.8 km
Cactus Press-Plaza Paint Building
104 km
Jerry Kent House
104 km
Frank Ewing House
103.6 km
Balsz House
103.9 km
J. Homer Smith House
103.8 km
Brownstetter House
103.9 km
Caruthers House
104 km
Ruth Ewing House
103.5 km
Westwind Golf Course
90.5 km
Aquariam Mar De Cortez
85.8 km
Yuma Theater
104.1 km
Kris Eggle Visitor Center
105.5 kmReviews
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