Overview
Pipe Springs NM is located on the Kaibab Indian Reservation, near the city of Fredonia, AZ. This part of the world has always been dry, and water, especially year-round water, has been and remains vital to survival. Natives found a natural spring at the base of a cliff that provided plentiful water year-round. They utilized this water source for millennia.
The National Monument was established in 1923 and is surrounded by the reservation. While a glance at the map would indicate the park is in the middle of nowhere, it is not far from the wonders of Southern Utah and fourteen miles from the main road to reach the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
History of Pipe Springs
People have lived in the desert Southwest of the US for at least 12,000 years. Some say 25,000 years. Water has always been vital to survival. When a reliable water source is found, it attracts people. The Kaibab band of the Paiute tribe continues to live near the spring. Members of the LDS church, also known as Mormons, passed through the area as early as 1829. By 1860, the church had acquired the land for a ranch.
When natives attacked the ranch during an 1866 uprising, the LDS got worried and constructed a fortified house over the spring. It became known as Winsor Castle. The property remained under church control until it was seized by the US government in 1887.
The land surrounding the Pipe Springs was used to create the current Kaibab Paiute Reservation. In 1923, 40 acres were sold to the government for use in creating the National Monument. The visitor Center is jointly operated between the tribe and the NPS. Wikipedia has a much better summary of the site’s history than the park service does.
Visiting Pipe Spring NM
The monument is a small site. You can see it all in a few hours. Your visit will start at the Visitor Center, which has a bookstore and an excellent small museum. Then you will walk up a gravel path to see the exhibits. They can be broken into three areas: the cattle ranch, the spring outflow, and Winsor Castle. The site is open year-round. Check the NPS website for details. Just a note: this part of the US does not use daylight saving time. This can be confusing, as the Navajo Nation does.
The Cattle Ranch
Dairy cattle were raised on the ranch. Cheese and butter were produced on the lower level of the castle. It is possible that beef cattle were also raised. While I could not find documentation, it is common sense that a large ranch in this part of the US would have beef cattle. There are two sets of ranch hands’ cabins on the site. Both are open so you can visit the interior. There are some corrals and a few head of cattle on display.
The Outflow ponds.
As the water from the spring leaves the castle, it flows into a pair of ponds where it is stored until it is needed. When I was at Pipe Springs, I was told the water is shared three ways: the NPS, the tribe, and local ranches. Since I have been looking online, I haven’t found any information about that deal. There are some large shade trees near the ponds. Standing in the shade, listening to the wind and birds was magical.
Winsor Castle
Autocorrect does not like the name Winsor. I verified that it is correct, and Windsor Castle is a lot bigger and in the UK. The LDS church built the fortified structure over the spring after a native raid in 1866. It has living quarters for the family and guest accommodations. There is a cheese-and-butter manufacturing operation on the lower level. The two sets of gates that can be used to close off the interior are interesting.
When I visited, the building was undergoing routine maintenance, mainly painting. I got into an interesting discussion with the maintenance man about the building and its construction. The on-site ranger joined in, and I learned a lot more than the websites told me.
Conclusion
If you are visiting the National Parks or Southern Utah, or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Pipe Springs is not far from where you are. It is well worth the time to visit. It is well maintained, with knowledgeable staff and a nice bookstore. Don’t skip visiting.
