Huachuca Mountains – Miller Canyon
Among the most productive and accessible locations in the Huachucas on the east slope within the Coronado National Forest, along with Carr and Ramsey Canyons.
This lovely canyon has hosted a fair number of rarities, including Flame-colored Tanager, Eared Quetzal, Rufous-capped Warbler, Crescent-Chested Warbler, Aztec Thrush, and Brown-backed Solitaire, as well as one of the most accessible pairs of Mexican Spotted Owls.
At the end of Miller Canyon Road (2.6 miles from Hwy 92) you’ll find a Forest Service parking area with trail access into the Miller Peak Wilderness Area. The trail is beautiful but steep, rugged, and damaged in places by flooding that followed the 2011 Monument wildfire. Side roads below the trailhead parking offer access to other less intimidating trails, some of which are still in development. As with other mountain sites, Miller Canyon is most productive for birding from April through September.
A popular public bird feeding station is at Beatty’s Guest Ranch, where a U.S. record for hummingbird species sited in one day was set (14 species). The Beattys have added bleachers, a picnic table and a shade canopy to a Controlled Access Site (CAS) for visitors’ comfort. There is a fee to enter this area.
Site Information
Region: Tucson and Southern
County: Cochise
Directions: Drive south of Sierra Vista on AZ Highway 92 about 9 miles to the Miller Canyon Road (FR 56). Follow FR 56 to the parking area at the end of the road to access the trailhead. Forest Road 56 is a narrow dirt road with some rough spots. While carefully driven sedans can get through, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. South of Ramsey and Carr Canyons.
Latitude: 31.416389
Longitude: -110.275665
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: Best: May - September: Quieter October - April
Habitats: Grassland, Mixed Conifer-Aspen Forest, Pinyon-juniper Forest, Pine-oak Forest
Know Before You Go
Miller Peak, which is just 4 miles from the Mexico border, holds the distinction of being the southernmost high peak in the United States and is a must-do for mountain-obsessed Arizona hikers.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Rare: Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Elegant Trogon, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird
Speciality: Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Gray Hawk, Hepatic Tanager, Montezuma’s Quail, Red-faced Warbler, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Rufous-winged Sparrow
Charismatic: Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird
Contact Information
Sierra Vista Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
300 W Congress St
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520-378-0311
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25496
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L129031
