Madera Canyon
Thanks to its proximity to Tucson, Madera Canyon is one of the most popular destinations for birders in southern Arizona. And there’s a reason for that. The birding in Madera Canyon is exceptional! Located on the north slope of the sprawling Santa Rita Mountains and sitting at 5,000 feet above sea level, more 250 species of birds are drawn to Madera’s lush, high-elevation forests and deep canyons with plenty of water. Madera Canyon is most famous for the elegant trogon which shows up here in May and is not very shy, oftentimes spotted not far from parking lots and trailheads. Other highlights include red-faced warbler, painted redstart, and bridled titmouse, among many, many others. As part of the Coronado National Forest, Madera Canyon offers many amenities, including campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. Along Madera Canyon Road, there are several great places for birding, many of which have hiking trails, including Proctor Trailhead, Madera Canyon Picnic Area, and Old Baldy Trailhead.
Site Information
Region: Tucson and Southern
County: Pima, Santa Cruz
Directions: Madera Canyon is located about 50 miles south of Tucson. Take I-19 and exit at the Continental Road exit. Turn east under the highway and follow the signs to Madera Canyon.
Latitude: 31.727161
Longitude: -110.880763
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: $8 day use fee; camping is free but all sites are first-come, first served
Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, Fall
Habitats: Desert, Grassland, Pine-oak Forest, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Plan ahead as the campground (and trailhead parking) can fill up quick during spring when birding is at its best. Road closures do occur occasionally during winter months.
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: Elegant Trogon
Speciality: Acorn Woodpecker, Bridled Titmouse, Gray Hawk, Painted Redstart, Red-faced Warbler
Charismatic: Anna’s Hummingbird, Phainopepla
Contact Information
Coronado National Forest - Nogales Ranger District
Phone: 520-281-2296
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recreation/scenicdrivinginfo/recarea/?recid=25666&actid=105
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L129021
Additional Resources:
Friends of Madera Canyon
