The SPRNCA is more than just an old ranch house near the river off SR 90 where birders mingle…read morealthough it is the most used site in the area. The area includes 40 miles of a well-marked wide dirt trail along the San Pedro River that once was the home to the local Apache tribes. I live eight miles due west from the Hereford Bridge trail head and bring my dogs here to let them enjoy the river where few people go. This is eight miles from Mexico. Right now we have plenty of migrating hawks and eagles, and soon we will have our hummingbirds from the south come back up here. You can walk all the way down to the international border along the trail, although I'd advise you to not do it alone as border crossers do come through. There are no water stations or rest areas along the way; it's all primitive so bring your own water and make sure you have a fully-charged cellphone. The trail is mostly flat and exposed. The views in all directions are of mountain vistas. Creosote, mesquite, desert grasses and catclaw are common flora right off the trail, but you may come across adobe ruins, old pumps, even an old carcass or two. Other great stops are Murray Springs Clovis site and the nearby Clayton house (now just ruins) Beside the San Pedro House, there is also the old mining town of Fairbank further north. Volunteers man the old school house (now a visitor's center) on most weekends. There's also an historic cemetery. Near Millville there are even petroglyphs. North of Fairbank is the old mining town of Contention, but there isn't much left of the town. The trail going north of here is little used, and the river dries up in the hotter months. The Bureau of Land Management manages the trail. It's understaffed and the trail therefore can get overgrown at times. However, I enjoy this area for my solitude. I can take my dogs here and bother no one, and using it doesn't cost a dime.

Beautiful stop in between Sierra Vista and Bisbee! Easy to stop for a few minutes to take in the…read moreCottonwood trees and/or spend hours along the trails. We visited at a time when the San Pedro House itself was closed to visitors due to the pandemic plus part of the River Trail was closed off due to forest fire risks. However, a large section of the trail was still open and we were able to walk along the river and get lost under the canopy of green lush foliage and trees. It's worth the walk from the San Pedro House to the River to hang out under the trees, you don't have to go far to find a cool spot to sit and admire the scenery. You'll walk on a wide flat trail along a field, at the time we went the field was filled with small yellow daisies before getting to the canopy of trees. Check the website before visiting so you can know what you're in for in terms of hiking or going inside the San Pedro House. Hope to come back in cooler temperatures to spend more time on the trails. Oooh take your binoculars too, spot is also known for great bird watching.

This park is the pride and joy of Sierra Vista. There are weekly events scheduled just about every…read moreweekend, from carnivals, art festivals, car shows, concerts on the pavilion, a Thursday Farmer's Market, and more. I've come here for Octoberfest, fun runs, pet events. The city maintains an active schedule for events planned here. There is plenty of free parking. The park has several restrooms that are closed at 11pm to prevent the homeless nearby from trashing them. City employees do a good job keeping this park clean and safe. Within the park is a skate park, ball field, playground, and even an indoor pool. While there is no permanent eatery in this park, there are many varied food trucks present during bug weekend events.

this park used to be my favorite place in Sierra Vista... Now the green lawns would weep in sorrow…read moreif they had any tears, which they don't because it looks like they haven't been watered in years. There's trash galore and the playgrounds need some true TLC. Even driving to the park parking is a painful experience. Come on SV, you can do better!

There is no fee to use this dog park. People are only asked not to bring sick or aggressive dogs…read more Dogs must be onleash until inside the fenced-in area. There are metal benches for humans to sit on. I have two 6-month old German Shepherd Dogs that need socialization. I've now taken them to this park several times. I like that there are two large sections, one for small dogs and the other for large dogs. Mature trees and a hard-top canopy provide for shade. My dogs are all fully vaccinated; I only hope the other dogs visiting are, too. I've been there in the morning and also early evening. This dog park is part of Tompkins Park, where a half-mile paved path finishes my visit with the dogs as they get used to the sights and sounds and smells of other people, kids and dogs of all breeds. The fenced-in area is visible from Buffalo Soldier Boulevard, the main thruway on the town's west side. The water fountains inside the dog park have been turned off during this covid pandemic, and visitors are bringing their own water jugs and leaving left-over water behind. There are also poop bags that I wish more dog owners would use, as my one complaint is that not all dog owners make use of this convenience. Also, recently some dogs have been digging holes that the owners leave exposed for people to trip over. While lights come on at night along the paved fitness path, the dogpark itself remains dark. It's therefore recommended to only visit during daylight hours. The park's parking lot is on the opposite end of this park, but people can also park in the cul-de-sac on the park's north end , off S Savanna Drive.

Huge park! Well maintained. Picnic areas that have tables and shade. Water fountains, restrooms,…read moreetc. great open area to walk dogs or let the kids run!!

The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park -- also known as the turd farm -- consists of 640…read moreacres, and offers 50 acres of constructed wetlands that, along with native grasses provides a bird and wildlife habitat. A convenient 1,800 square foot wildlife-viewing platform, surrounded by native landscaping is located near the wetlands for bird and wildlife enthusiasts. The entrance to the facility is on Hwy 90 3.1 miles east of Hwy 92. There's no real sign, but the big above-ground water tank is a dead giveaway. There's also a vet or animal hospital on the highway. Turn north into the entrance, then follow the signs. Due to vandalism, city officials have instituted restricted hours for the viewing area. The wetlands are currently open 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents and visiting birders alike are invited to participate in Sunday morning birding tours sponsored by SABO, Friends of the San Pedro River, and Huachuca Audubon Society. These walks, guided by volunteers from the sponsoring organizations, cover areas otherwise off limits to the public. For more information, see SABO's activities page. Our early-October 20-minute visit generated the following bird list: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 18 Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 3 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 8 Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1 Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 6 Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 12 Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 6 Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 54 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 28 Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 250 Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 1 12 species total

This site is the oldest dig site in North America. It proves that people lived and hunted here…read moreover 12,000 year ago. It's a place to come to to see the area once inhabited by hunter-gatherers. There are no bones here, just signs to read and a place to stroll through to get away from the city. This interpretive dirt trail is under a mile long. Dogs are allowed here but must be leashed. The trail is not ADA friendly because it requires one to walk down and up steps and walk across a wash. Heavy monsoons have damaged the steps several times in the 18 years I have been here. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this is a free site to enjoy, but be aware that in the summer months it can get overgrown and very hot. The mesquite trees along the trail provide only little shade. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour to read all the signs and walk the loop. It's an exposed trail best done in cooler, overcast weather as there is no shade and no water. However, if you feel like exploring the area and have a dog, walk into the wash going northeast and you will hit the actual Murray Springs. It is not on the trail. Or just stay on the access trail that takes you to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) trail, marked with iron wrought poles. The area closes at dusk so be aware of that. The San Pedro river area is popular with illegal border crossers because of the water, and you may find their trash along the trail, along with dog poop left by dog walkers. Be careful when in the area at dawn and dusk not only for illegals, but for coyotes, javelina, and snakes. There is a restroom with pit toilets in the big parking area. Horses and bikes are allowed on the access trail to the SPRNCA trail, but are not allowed on the short interpretive loop trail.

Think emptiness. The…read moreplace is empty, and it would only take a few minutes walking away from the road to be in a place where, quite possibly, no human has ever gone before. There's a reason for that. Without impressive landforms, water, trails, or other attractions, it's not a destination suitable for most. This is BLM land, meaning that camping is allowed for free, and from all the signs I saw, fires too were perfectly legal. Only thing is that there are designated camping areas, which are shown very clearly by signs on their spur roads and on a couple of big kiosk maps on the land. Their website has some decent info, but your best source are the signs on the reserve itself. Don't worry - it won't be full. No one goes here. I made the drive (about 25 minutes to the camping area from the entrance at Mile 40) in a 2WD Hyundai Accent at night, with nothing worse some disconcerting scraping here and there. If I can do it, you probably can too. But not if it's rained recently. I'd steer clear then. I would say that the free camp in the wilderness, under a blanket of perfect stars, is the main attraction. People probably hunt and mountain bike here too, but I'd wager that very few hike, given that there's no fantastic sites to which to hike. A strange thing about this place is the cows. Apparently some ranchers keep cows on this land, and it does detract from the pure wilderness feel.

Upon surveying the scene at SVs main skate park, my boys were so stoked, they couldn't keep it on…read morethe down low... yeah, that's me, boosting their vernacular, I'm so sick, I'm ill. I was shocked to find a fully functional skate park in the sleepy-time senior-ville that is SV. Obviously, I need to get out more! All of the bone crushing, concrete constructed components are there - rolling ramps, ledges, kickers, lips, benches, rails, steps, a kidney bowl, and even a nipple! Yes, visions of emergency rooms & and x-ray bills dampen my enthusiasm, but just slightly. My boys get such a pump outta mastering their latest steeze, my heart swells with happiness. Much to my older boys' chagrin, they can't shake me, I'm an ever present watchdog during our time spent at the skate park. There are way too many unsavory characters skulking about, smoking various substances & swearing like sailors. When I roll up in my minivan, they scatter like cockroaches. The surprising thing is, after their initial aggravated reaction, they reappear, clean up their act & enjoy showing off. Spectators can choose from bleachers set up in opposite viewing areas, or sprawl on grassy sections throughout the layout. Truly, the biggest bang out of going to the skate park is the fact that kids happily, willingly physically exert themselves in this environment. The skate park is free, so for the cost of a decent skateboard, you can indulge in unlimited fresh air & maybe earn a few bonus points with your brood.

They have nice things for people to do they have sing Group my friend join in. They have a nice…read moremuseum.

This city park was upgraded several years ago with a parking lot and playground, trash cans and…read morepoop bags for dog walkers. I have come here a few times to walk the path that goes north to the Cyr park soccer fields for a 2.25 mile walk out and back. It is well maintained. There are restrooms on either end. The creek right now is dry, but when it runs after heavy rain, the creek will smell of sewage. This part of town is the oldest neighborhood, with tiny lots and chainlink yards. While both parks are well lighted, there are a few dark sections I would be cautious about, but I only come here with my dog anyway. If you are new to town, this is a good start to get to know the town. Walk the path north to Cyr Park and then connect with other multi-use paths.

I love this walk. It's also awesome to stop at the century cactus. I would recommend going in a…read moregroup or with people. I have found deer legs on the trail.

From the owner: Outdoor great guided hikes on Tucson area trails. Together we trek across the wilderness of the…read moregreat Sonoran Desert exploring the land, its history, flora and fauna. Learning about the desert and the ancient peoples who lived here long ago is not only interesting, it's awe-inspiring. To know we are standing in front of rock carvings called petroglyphs, is breathtaking. Some are thousands of years old. To date, unlike the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, no one knows quite yet what the meanings are of the stories they tell. The unusual iconic giant Saguaro cacti majestically stand to welcome you, literally, with open arms. At times javelina, coyotes, cactus wren, roadrunners will pass us by. To top it all, you'll enjoy a southwestern activity second to none in Tucson, also known as The Old Pueblo. So come, join your trail guide and get as close to nature as you can get. Schedules include sunset, moonlit & themed guided hikes. Book yours today. We also serve the Phoenix area.