Madera Canyon

Understand

Madera Canyon has campsites, picnic areas, and miles of hiking trails.

Madera Canyon is part of the Coronado National Forest, which costs $5 for a day permit, or $10 for a week permit.

Madera Canyon is located in the Santa Rita Mountains, which is one of the largest of the Madrean Sky Islands.

Flora and fauna

The canyon and its immediate surroundings are therefore home to wide variety of flora and fauna, ranging from cactus covered desert in the lower reaches of the canyon to aspen and fir forest on Mount Wrightson.

With fifteen species of hummingbirds, elegant trogon, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, black-capped gnatcatcher, flame-colored tanager, 36 species of wood warblers, and over 256 species of birds documented in total, Madera Canyon is rated the third best birding destination in the United States. Other animals that can be found in Madera Canyon include black bear, mountain lion, bobcats, white-tailed and mule deer, foxes, coatis, ring-tailed cats, raccoons, wild turkeys, squirrels, and rabbits. Sixteen species of bats have also been recorded in the canyon.

Get in

Take Interstate 19 50 mi south of Tucson, leave at the Continental Road exit (Exit 63). Turn east under the highway and follow the signs to Madera Canyon.

See and do

See Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

It has a Visitor and Science Center that showcases astrophysics exhibits, views of the surrounding Santa Rita Mountains and has guided tours of the MMT Observatory. Tours mid-Mar to Nov: M W F begin at 9AM and return at 3PM. $10 for adults and children aged 13+, $5 for children aged 6-12. Advance reservations are required. Tours are suspended due to COVID19 as of Dec 2021.

📍 670 Mt Hopkins Rd, Amadoone hour due south of Tucson off I-19🕒 Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM☎ +1 520-879-4407Checked Dec 2021

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