Madera Canyon
A birdwatching haven in the Santa Rita Mountains and one of North America's top birding sites, where you can see the striking Elegant Trogon and more than a dozen hummingbird species. The mountain trails are cool.
Madera Canyon is about 70 km south of Tucson. It rises from an elevation of about 1,200 meters to the summit of Mount Wrightson at 2,881 meters, with vegetation shifting from desert grassland to oak and pine forest. It is a well-known birding destination in the United States, with about 250 bird species recorded, including the rare Elegant Trogon and many hummingbird species. Places such as the Santa Rita Lodge have hummingbird feeders where you can watch for free. Trails range from gentle creekside paths to long routes to the summit of Mount Wrightson. A daily parking pass is required. It is cooler here than in Tucson in summer, making it a great place to escape the heat.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tubac
- Titan Missile Museum
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
- Pima Air & Space Museum & Boneyard Tour
- Colossal Cave Mountain Park
- Reid Park Zoo
- Sentinel Peak (A Mountain)