Overview

The Santa Rita Mountains are an islands-in-the-sky mountain range in south-central Arizona that rise steeply from the desert to high peaks covered with dense forests. The change in elevation provides a variety of habitats, each with a different assemblage of birds. The high-elevation forests of Madera Canyon harbor species such as Elegant Trogons, Mexican Jays, Hepatic Tanagers, and other species typical of the mountains in Mexico. More than 240 species of birds have been seen here.

Link to Area Map or Madera Canyon Map.

Description

The Santa Rita Mountains rise steeply from the sparsely vegetated surrounding desert to high peaks covered in dense forests of pine. Madera Canyon, located on the northwest side of the Santa Ritas, is a deep canyon heavily wooded with several species of oaks and alligator-junipers with and a grassy understory including yuccas and cactus. The bottom of the canyon has Arizona sycamore and cottonwood trees.

The best birding for Mexican species starts at elevations of about 5,000 feet, but the desert floor and the foothills provide interesting birding that should not be overlooked. We once saw a flock of about 25 Tropical Kingbirds on the power lines in downtown Continental. The winding road is narrow, so be sure to stop in safe places along Madera Canyon Road when birding the foothills.

Convenient places to bird in lower Madera Canyon include Bog Springs Campground, the three picnic areas (Whitehouse, Madera, and Madera Trailhead), and the Madera Canyon Nature Trail that runs along the stream in the bottom of the canyon. In addition, the front of the Santa Rita Lodge (located in the same area) are open to the public, as is Madera Kubo Lodge. These places put out seed and hummingbird feeders that attract many birds and squirrels.

For higher-elevation birds, drive (or hike) to the Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area and Trailhead (formerly Roundup Picnic Area) at the end of the road. Bird the picnic area and hike the trails to bird even higher elevations.

Madera Canyon is crowded on weekends from March through November, and it is said to be extremely crowded on the Easter and Mothers' Day weekends.

For most species, spring the best time to visit (April and May), but June and September are best for hummingbirds. Many species stay all year.

Location

Madera Canyon is located in the Santa Rita Mountains between Tucson and Nogales, east of Interstate 19. From Interstate 19 near Green Valley, turn off the interstate at the Continental Road/Madera Canyon exit (Exit 63). Turn east to Continental and follow Madera Canyon Road for about 12 miles to the Madera Canyon Recreation Area. There is a fee station at the entrance to the recreation area, and the road ends a couple of miles higher in the canyon.

Hours

Always open (but it appears that they now have crowding restrictions).

Fees

Day use is $8 per vehicle per day, $10 for a week, or $20 for an annual pass. Camping in Bog Springs is $20 extra.

Specialties

Elegant Trogons, Mexican Jays, Hepatic Tanagers, Yellow-eyed Junco, Varied Bunting, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Bridled Titmouse, Painted Redstart, and Arizona Woodpecker, and other species typical of Mexico. More than 240 species of birds (including more than 10 species of hummingbirds) have been seen here.

For More Information

Madera Canyon is on National Forest land, and the Coronado National Forest (520.281.2296) has information on the recreation area.

The Santa Rita Lodge (520.625.8746) has a nice website with photos of the birds and the area.

The Madera Kubo Lodge (520.625.2908) has a gift shop and rustic cabins in addition to bird feeders and a rushing brook. Prices are reasonable, but not inexpensive.

The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) has a nice Guide to Birding Hotspots.