Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
472
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
Sonoita is at the junction of Ariz. 83 and Ariz. 82. Patagonia is 12
miles southwest of Sonoita, on Ariz. 82.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Patagonia Area Business Association Tourist Infor-
mation Center,
307 McKeown Ave. (
&
888/794-0060;
www.patagoniaaz.com), is
open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
BIRD
WATCHING & WINE TASTING
Patagonia, 18 miles northwest of Nogales on Ariz. 82, is a historic mining and ranching
town that is surrounded by the Patagonia Mountains. If the scenery here leaves you with
a since of déjà vu, that is probably because you've seen this landscape in numerous mov-
ies and television shows. Over the years, this area has been a backdrop for such films as
Oklahoma!, Red River, A Star Is Born,
and
David and Bathsheba,
and such TV programs
as
Little House on the Prairie
and
The Young Riders.
Today, however, bird-watching and
tranquillity are the main draws.
The
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
(
&
520/394-2400;
www.nature.org) is
owned by the Nature Conservancy and protects 2 miles of Sonoita Creek riparian (river-
side) habitat, which is important to migratory birds. More than 300 species of birds have
been spotted at the preserve, which makes it a popular destination with birders from all
over the country. Among the rare birds that can be seen are 22 species of flycatchers,
kingbirds, and phoebes, plus the Montezuma quail. A forest of cottonwood trees, some
of which are 100 feet tall, lines the creek and is one of the best remaining examples of
cottonwood-willow riparian forest in southern Arizona. At one time, such forests grew
along all the rivers in the region. To reach the sanctuary, which is just outside Patagonia
on a dirt road that parallels Ariz. 82, turn west on Fourth Avenue and then south on
Pennsylvania Street, cross the creek, and continue about 1 mile. From April to Septem-
ber, hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 6:30am to 4pm; from October to
March, hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30am to 4pm. Admission is $5 ($3
for Nature Conservancy members). On Saturday, at 9am, there are naturalist-guided
walks through the preserve; reservations are not required.
On your way to or from the Nature Conservancy Preserve, be sure to drop by
Paton's
Birder's Haven,
which is basically the backyard of Marion Paton. Numerous humming-
bird feeders and a variety of other feeders attract an amazing range of birds to the yard,
making this a favorite stop of avid birders who are touring the region. If you're heading
out to the Nature Conservancy preserve, watch for the birder's haven sign at 477 Penn-
sylvania Rd. after you cross the creek.
Patagonia Lake State Park
(
&
520/287-6965;
www.azstateparks.com), about 7
miles south of Patagonia, off Ariz. 82, is a popular boating and fishing lake that was
formed by the damming of Sonoita Creek. The lake is 2
1
/
2
miles long and stocked in
winter with rainbow trout. Other times of year, people fish for bass, crappie, bluegill, and
catfish. Park facilities include a picnic ground, campground, and swimming beach. There
is also good bird-watching here—elegant trogons, which are among the most beautiful
of southern Arizona's rare birds, are often spotted here. The park day-use fee is $7. Camp-
sites are $15 to $22; reservations are not accepted. Adjacent to the park, you'll find the
Sonoita Creek State Natural Area
(
&
520/287-2791
), a 5,000-acre preserve along the
banks of Sonoita Creek. During much of the year, the natural area operates boat tours
several mornings each week. These tours focus on the birds and history of the area. There
are also guided hikes and guided bird-watching outings.
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