Community: Tohono O'odham Nation (San Xavier)

Introduction

Tohono O'odham Nation (San Xavier) services Lodging: Make hotel reservations in Tohono O'odham Nation (San Xavier).

Tohono O'odham Nation reservations lie in the arid Sonoran Desert, which is characterized by wide valleys, plains and jutting mountain ranges rising to nearly 8,000 feet. The reservation consists of four separated reservation lands and covers 2,854,881 acres, about the size of Connecticut. The largest, the Tohono O'odham Reservation, stretches 90 miles across Pima County, contains 2,773,357 acres and extends across the Mexican border. Northwest of the Tohono O'odham Reservation lies the 10,409-acre Gila Bend Reservation. To the east, near Tucson, is the 71,095-acre San Xavier Reservation. East of the Gila River Reservation and west of Florence, is the 20-acre Florence Village.

Tohono O'odham contains many scenic areas, including rugged mountains and the vast undeveloped lands. Kitt Peak National Observatory has 18 telescopes in operation, including one of the largest optical telescopes in North America. A paved highway runs to the summit of the peak with a large picnic area near the top. Nine miles south of Tucson is San Xavier Del Bac Mission. Registered as a National Historic Landmark, it has been used continuously by the Papagos for more than two centuries. Fifteen miles southeast of the nation's capital, Sells, is Baboquivari Peak, the legendary home of I'itoi, the Papago Creator. A picnic area is available. The annual Tohono O'odham All-Indian Rodeo and Fair, held in October, also features basketry, pottery and local food.

FOUNDED: 1934
DISTANCE TO PHOENIX: 110 miles
HIGHWAYS: SR 86, Indian Rt. 15
INCORPORATED: No
ELEVATION: 8,000 feet
DISTANCE TO TUCSON: 63 miles
COUNTY: Pima County