This trip was made during July, when the sun sets around 7:30 pm in Arizona, and temperatures range from the low-70s (in some of the canyons) to 110+ (in the Sonoran desert). Campgrounds sometimes fill up on weekends, so plan accordingly if expect to be camping on a Friday or Saturday night and try to make a reservation.
Arizona - Day 1
From 80, take 533 west to Portal Arizona. Stop at the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon, and hike along the creek, a noted spot for Elegant Trogon. Take Forest Service road 42 (not paved, but can be done in a small low-clearance vehicle if taken slowly) 25 miles to the Chiricahua National Monument. Very nice campsites are available here. The 3.3 mile round trip Echo Canyon Loop provides great views of the rock grottos for which the Chiricahuas are known.
Arizona - Days 2 and 3
Exit the National Monument and turn left onto 181, which will eventually make a sharp right hand turn (do not turn onto Turkey Creek). In Sunizona travel south on 191 to Elfrida, and make sure here to get on the Central Highway (still traveling south). Near McNeal turn right onto Davis Road, which will take you to Tombstone (where they offer daily mock gunfights for anyone interested). In Tombstone, take Charleston Road to Sierra Vista. Take 90 east for 7 miles to the San Pedro House in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.
Highway 92 south out of Sierra Vista grants access to the numerous canyons in the Huachuca Mountains famous to birdwatchers - Ramsey, Miller, Carr and Ash Canyon roads all branch west off of 92. Ramsey Canyon preserve offers 9 am bird walks on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, which are free with paid admission. The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory also leads bird walks in the area (contact them for information). Inexpensive hotels can be found in Sierra Vista.
Arizona - Day 4
Take 90 north out of Sierra Vista, then travel west on 82. Once in Patagonia, take 4th Avenue northwest then turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue. After crossing the creek, stop on the left at the Patons, a private residence. Please park outside their fence in the designated parking area, and leave a donation in the sugar fund, then just walk around back, sit in the chairs they have provided under the tent, and enjoy!
The Patons have numerous feeders and a waterfall to attract feathered friends, and welcome the public to view. Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue to the Nature Conservancy - owned Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, and hike the loop trail by Sonoita Creek for many riparian species. Spend the night camping at Patagonia Lake State Park (reached by traveling west on 82), or continue on past the park to Nogales and get an inexpensive hotel room.
Arizona - Day 5
From Nogales take I-19 north to exit 63. Turn right on Continental Ranch Road and right on Whitehouse Canyon Road to Madera Canyon. A paved road passes through Madera Canyon, passing by Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Kubo which both have feeders out for bird viewing. A parking lot at the end of the road offers access to many trailheads. The Carrie Nation trail parallels a creek and is a nice (albeit moderately strenuous) hike. The Bog Springs Campground is very nice.
Arizona - Day 6
Travel north on I-19 to Tucson. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a must see ($9.50/person, open 7:30-3 during summer). The Sonoran Desert can be extremely hot, so carry water and wear sunscreen. If camping is preferred, Catalina State Park just north of the city is very nice although very hot this time of year. Be prepared for night time temperatures in the nineties.
Arizona - Day 7
Spend some time in Saguaro National Park, even if only to hike a short trail, to experience the Sonoran Desert and see the Giant Saguaro Cactus it is famous for (go early in the morning to see more wildlife). Once temperatures heat up, head up to Mount Lemmon on Catalina Highway, where temperatures can be 25+ degrees cooler and unique birds can be found at the higher elevation.
Travel Tips
The canyons of southern Arizona can be surprisingly cool and rainy during this time of year, and the Sonoran Desert extremely hot, so be prepared. Before embarking on this trip, order The Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail Map. If planning on visiting both Ramsey Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, an $8 fee will gain admission to both instead of paying $5 at each. Likewise, one fee will cover both Madera Canyon and Mount Lemmon, so keep the first receipt received. For more information on the birds and specifics of the sites listed above, see Habitats and Birds of Southeast Arizona. To extend the trip by one week, see Birding Southwest New Mexico.
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