Though access to the Schuk Toak Visitors Center remains unresolved as the new year begins, visitors can indeed explore the tremendous maar craters of the Pinacate and Grand Desert of Altar Biosphere Reserve via the main entrance located at KM 52 along the Puerto Peñasco – Sonoyta Highway Mex 8.
The road toward the Schuk Toak Visitors Center (just off KM 73) has been blocked since Oct. 20, 2022 by José Alfredo Souza Cabrera. Souza Cabrera is demanding a financial agreement from federal authorities, arguing the road to the Visitors Center has traversed his property for over ten years.
City officials have urged Souza Cabrera to remove the roadblock as a sign of good faith in order to mediate with Federal and State offices. Souza has expressed he’d agree to that once he receives a written document from the city indicating said offer, which has yet to occur.
The Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve was recognized as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 2013 El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and is named as one of Mexico’s 13 Natural Wonders. Information about México, Travels and Tourism – Explorando Mexico
The Schuk Toak Visitors Center (name which means “Sacred Mountain” in the dialect of the Tohono O’odham) opened in 2009 as a fully self-sustaining environmental construction.
In March 2015, Schuk Toak received official certification and accreditation as an Environmental Education and Cultural Center by the Center of Education and Sustainable Development Training (CECADESU) of the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).