Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

As part of the national wildlife refuge system, Buenos Aires NWR has great birding year round. Many different habitats are found throughout the 117,000-acre refuge, including grasslands, desert scrub, wetlands, and riparian. The refuge was established in 1985 in part to help protect the masked bobwhite. Other unique species here include blue grosbeak, varied bunting, gray hawk, and northern harrier. Keep your eyes peeled for pronghorn which frequent the refuge’s sprawling grasslands. Start your refuge visit by birding near the visitor’s center. Other refuge hotspots include Aguirre Lake and Grebe Pond, Brown Canyon, and Arivaca Creek. Semi-developed camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Site Information

Region: Tucson and Southern

County: Pima

Directions: From Three Points, Arizona, head south on Hwy 286 for 38 miles. Entrance road takes you to the headquarters and visitor's center.

Latitude: 31.571861
Longitude: -111.506356

Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day

Admission or Fees: None

Best time to visit: Year round

Habitats: Desert, Grassland, Lake or Pond, Stream or river

Know Before You Go

Visitor's center open 8am to 4pm every day.

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

Speciality: Hooded Oriole, Varied Bunting

Charismatic: Loggerhead Shrike, Summer Tanager

Contact Information

US Fish & Wildlife Service
Sasabe, Arizona 85633

Phone: 520-823-4251

Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/buenos_aires/

Email:

Additional Resources

Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128929

Additional Resources:
Friends of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Image Gallery