What a beautiful place to walk around! You need to come early to really see many birds but its…read morestill a worthwhile stop for a nature walk later. There's a guide at the visitor center who has a lot of information about the preserve and shared which birds have been seen lately -- and there are reference photos. The walking area is shaded and easy walking, with quite a few benches throughout. There's also a very nice gift shop that of course supports the preserve. I got a great full zip hoodie for a reasonable price.

A beautiful nature preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy. The first 1/2 mile of so of the…read moretrail has several historical and natural points of interest ( example ponds where you can find the leopard frogs). Lots of benches through out the area. Trail is well marked. Of note it is a gradual ascend. The 2nd half if you wish to get to the overlook continues ascend even more with switchbacks and more rugged stairs... a lot more climbing. There are benches scattered to catch a breath. I did not make it to the top this time but I am told by everyone who did that there are no benches towards the last leg before the top and this is a strenuous trail especially if you are not acclimated to the elevation plus 700ft ascent. Regardless of your hiking goals, the views are lovely, amazing biodiversity and immersion in nature. If you are into birding, this area is a hotspot. The staff at the visitor center are helpful and can provide information too. Hydrate and wear good shoes. Parking is free. There is a small fee. The area does close at 4... so plan accordingly.

Birds and grounds were great but owner was hostile and frightening when we misunderstood the sign.read more

Owls nest was awesome at Ramsey Canyon cabins! We stayed for 5 days and loved it. The room was…read morespacious, wonderfully comfortable bed, with high quality sheets and pillows. The nest is made of brick and it never got hot. We were in low 90's for 3days and it was really Pleasant always! The porta potty was clean and never smelled. I don't know how they did that but it was no problem at all! comfortable and clean. THE BIRDING was just incredible. They have a bird garden with so many feeders you can just sit in their cushion comfortable chairs and see tons of birds while sipping coffee. If you bird this place needs to be on your list! Jun and Greg were wonderful and super knowledgeable about birds. We know most birds but learned a lot from Jen. So fun!! Don't miss it! Joey Roberts

It's a very pretty drive to go up there when the waterfall is running you can't follow it up to the…read moretop but I will not go up there scared of heights but it's a nice slow drive-in the back area just to check it out before you go up the mountain

A beautiful place to drive to and see Mother nature's wonders. There are trails that you can hike…read moreand get away to one of the quietest places you will ever find and be surrounded by amazing beauty. It does not matter what time of year you visit there is always something to see. Birds, animals, plants and cactus no matter where you look. If you visit Sierra Vista do not miss this Canyon. It is just a short drive out of town.

The CNF is my backyard. I first was introduced to this area in 1986 when I was a young Specialist…read morein the US Army. I fell in love with the area and decided then I would retire to these moutains. Retired people like to golf, play Bingo!, RV travel and roadtrip. I like the outdoors, hiking, and exploring. I'm living my dream with the CNF. The forest is divided into many smaller tracts. I'm just east of the Huachuca mountains. There are trails to Miller and Carr Peaks and foothills trails right here. Just look at the website for many options. Drive 50 miles north, west or east and there are many more options in nearby towns. We have our share of wildlife, so be cautious if hiking alone. I've come across black bears, mountain lions, javelina, coatamundi, rattle snakes, and illegal border crossers sneaking across at night. Be situation aware! My dogs keep me protected. I don't have one favorite trail, as I like diversity, but Carr Peak is an easy peak to bag if you are in shape. The Perimeter trail in the eastern slopes of the Huachucas are great for full moon hikes. The Santa Ritas are charming and have hidden springs. If you hike with dogs, the CNF will deliver My hiking club, the Huachuca Hiking Club, does volunteer maintenance work on trails for the CNF. We are a tough bunch of older hikers. The local meetup, the Sky Island Hikers, does more local and easier hikes. I sometimes lead full moon hikes with them.

I enjoyed hiking here and would love to return in the near future. Beautiful scenery!read more

Brown Canyon Ranch is a very popular local hang-out all times of day. Retirees walk here early in…read morethe mornings, then come the mountain bikers, and then the hikers, runners, equestrians. Weddings and Senior pics are also popular. Day use is now $8. There is a restroom and several picnic areas by the pond to sit back and relax. To avoid the fee, park off Ramsey Canyon Road and walk the 0.8 mile to the ranch house. My hiking group does weekly loop hikes in Brown Canyon. The ranch house is open during daylight. The pond is a habitat for the endangered Chiricahua Leopard Frog. There are several trails that start at the ranch house. The Brown Canyon trail is a four-mile trail that one can take into Ramsey Canyon. The Garden Connector trail, which begins off the Buffalo Soldier Trail and SR92, ends here. The Brown Canyon Loop trail also starts here, although it's not marked. Just make sure you turn left at the horse trough two miles into the hike. This is a 4.6-mile loop. Just watch out for speeding mountain bikers. There is also a 1.5-mile Nature Trail loop with a duck pond. Dogs are allowed on these trails, but must be leashed. This place can get busy on the weekends. Watch out for rattlesnakes, javelina, coyote and deer.

Breathtaking views of the mountains with excellent beginner's walking path for the entire family…read more Very informative displays inside the cabin. There's a tiny duck pond on the walking path and a small bench to rest and take in the beautiful scenery. Pet's are welcome as long as you clean up after them to preserve the walking path. Watch out for snakes and other little critters.

I hated it when I was made to run up here from the Apache Flatt, which is about 1.5mi, it was…read morepainful! But a short hike or a car ride up here is a complete different story. It's a hidden/"exclusive" gem so pretty quiet most of the time. The view is breath taking. It give you a full 270 degrees view (a huge portion is blocked by all the mountains so that doesn't count) of up to 25-30miles out! They have a few picnic tables if you want to spend some time up here to have a nice little lunch. There are hiking trails leading all the way up the mountains. Don't go by yourself if you still love life and don't want to encounter/get stabbed by illegal drug traffickers, get mutilated by....bears, stung by scorpions, bitten by snakes, pretty much everything on Fort Huachuca can kill u, so take a buddy, a big knife (can't carry fire arms here) if you want to hike up the mountains from here.

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.

A beautiful historical place to walk and explore around amidst the ruins of three Spanish colonial…read moremissions. It illustrates the blending cultures of Native Americans and European peoples. Exploring the park is highly immersive and at the same time very calming. It is a short drive from Tucson to the park and is definitely worth a visit.

History was made here and really not all that long ago. A beautiful place to spend about an hour…read moregetting a real feel for the history of southern Arizona. It's a National Monument and located right across the street from the Santa Cruz Chile Company! Very convenient and makes for a great excursion!

This is a wonderful day place to visit, to hike from or through, or stay the night. Ghost town fans…read morewill enjoy this small but beautiful gold mining settlement which has a delightful little museum and parts of the original camp around. There is an on-site host there to talk with. The Arizona Trail passes through and you can take a nice hike and see where mining took place- the real kind, like you saw in the movies! Where they would dig and sift and everything. It's total "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" here except in Southern Arizona. The bed and "no" breakfast is a cool looking building you can spend the night in. I think it's around $75 a night and can fit up to 5 people. I haven't done it yet, when I do I'll report back. You bring your own gear, but they supply the bed and tables. There is running water. In the nearby area are trails and some 4X4 trails and be sure and visit the Empire Ranch on BLM land for a great day visit!

Calling all ghost town and mining town hunters! Head out to…read moreKentucky Camp, an old gold mining site, on Rt. 83 on the way to Sonoita. Some old adobe walls remain and other buildings have been restored. A caretaker lives on the site keeping watch. Thank you. Then, after touring the area, go for a great hike along the ARIZONA TRAIL right off the edge of the camp. It's easy and fairly flat and goes through land that feels like you're back in the 1800's. We saw some mule deer and horses and that's it. You could walk the 4 miles to Gardner Canyon or just backtrack. I think this place would be gorgeous when the fall colors arrive. Definitely goes on my favorite hikes list...right along side Ft. Bowie.