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Environmental Operations Park

4.0 (1 review)

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15 years ago

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Whitewater Draw - Free scopes with metal chairs, West Platform. Saw deer from here too

Whitewater Draw

4.9(14 reviews)
32.7 mi

Super cool place to visit seasonally- especially if you are a birder. Highly recommend coming here…read morein the early winter to witness the magnificent Sandhills cranes on their migration path... apparently some end up in Siberia (how cool is that!!). Websites say to come early morning and in the late evening... however two years in a row I have witnessed the cranes return around 11-1pm to their roosting site and witnessing the hundreds of cranes descent is a marvel. Apart from the Sandhills cranes (in season)- the terrain in the area also allow the opportunity to capture sightings of other wildlife, waterfowl, birds and plants. Wear appropriate shoes if visiting after a rain. The last 2.5 mile drive to the location is on gravel/ some washboard road. Here is the extra extra bonus apart from witnessing beautiful nature... it's free. Plus restrooms available (albeit porta pottty/ pit style).

You have to visit the Sandhill cranes during their journeys to and from migration. It is an…read moreincredible thing to see thousands of birds, and when they take off in groups of V-formations heading out with dozens of V's going into the sky, it is wonderful. Check the time of year to make sure you come during the migration times. This resting wildlife habitat is located in the middle of nowhere with only farmlands surrounding the area. It is close to Sierra Vista, Ft Huachuca and Tombstone. If you are in the area for the migration period, then you have to come and see. Mornings and evenings are the best times because you will be there when they take off, but even if you come while they are on the ground you will be amazed. There are also other migratory birds as well and finding and identifying them is also interesting. This is a rural site coming onto a dirt road with almost no amenities. There is a parking area, with what appears to be a limited dry camp location for birders. Then a couple of hundred feet away is the parking area for day use where you can then walk to the various water sites. You should see the birds as you pull in. There are two pit toilets, bring your own TP and hand sanitizer just in case. No food nearby, bring it in and take out your trash. If you live in Southern AZ it is worth the day trip. Me and wife came on a whim after hearing the birds were still there leaving Tucson around 1pm and we stayed until about 6pm after the cranes took flight. About an 90 minute drive one way depending on where you are in Tucson.

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Whitewater Draw
Whitewater Draw - 0730hrs 1/23/25. est 15k cranes @Draw + same @Cochise Lake, Willcox.Less h20 this yr = less birds bc h20 fill pipe is blocked.

0730hrs 1/23/25. est 15k cranes @Draw + same @Cochise Lake, Willcox.Less h20 this yr = less birds bc h20 fill pipe is blocked.

Whitewater Draw

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San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area - Most of the official trail goes through high desert grasslands

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

4.6(18 reviews)
1.6 mi

The SPRNCA is more than just an old ranch house near the river off SR 90 where birders mingle…read morealthough it is the most used site in the area. The area includes 40 miles of a well-marked wide dirt trail along the San Pedro River that once was the home to the local Apache tribes. I live eight miles due west from the Hereford Bridge trail head and bring my dogs here to let them enjoy the river where few people go. This is eight miles from Mexico. Right now we have plenty of migrating hawks and eagles, and soon we will have our hummingbirds from the south come back up here. You can walk all the way down to the international border along the trail, although I'd advise you to not do it alone as border crossers do come through. There are no water stations or rest areas along the way; it's all primitive so bring your own water and make sure you have a fully-charged cellphone. The trail is mostly flat and exposed. The views in all directions are of mountain vistas. Creosote, mesquite, desert grasses and catclaw are common flora right off the trail, but you may come across adobe ruins, old pumps, even an old carcass or two. Other great stops are Murray Springs Clovis site and the nearby Clayton house (now just ruins) Beside the San Pedro House, there is also the old mining town of Fairbank further north. Volunteers man the old school house (now a visitor's center) on most weekends. There's also an historic cemetery. Near Millville there are even petroglyphs. North of Fairbank is the old mining town of Contention, but there isn't much left of the town. The trail going north of here is little used, and the river dries up in the hotter months. The Bureau of Land Management manages the trail. It's understaffed and the trail therefore can get overgrown at times. However, I enjoy this area for my solitude. I can take my dogs here and bother no one, and using it doesn't cost a dime.

Beautiful stop in between Sierra Vista and Bisbee! Easy to stop for a few minutes to take in the…read moreCottonwood trees and/or spend hours along the trails. We visited at a time when the San Pedro House itself was closed to visitors due to the pandemic plus part of the River Trail was closed off due to forest fire risks. However, a large section of the trail was still open and we were able to walk along the river and get lost under the canopy of green lush foliage and trees. It's worth the walk from the San Pedro House to the River to hang out under the trees, you don't have to go far to find a cool spot to sit and admire the scenery. You'll walk on a wide flat trail along a field, at the time we went the field was filled with small yellow daisies before getting to the canopy of trees. Check the website before visiting so you can know what you're in for in terms of hiking or going inside the San Pedro House. Hope to come back in cooler temperatures to spend more time on the trails. Oooh take your binoculars too, spot is also known for great bird watching.

Photos
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area - Heavily eroded section of the trail north of the SP House

Heavily eroded section of the trail north of the SP House

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area - San Pedro House

San Pedro House

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area - How relaxing benches, and rocking chairs, hummingbirds visited the feeders, dear abound. The stream gurgling as hikers pass by.

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How relaxing benches, and rocking chairs, hummingbirds visited the feeders, dear abound. The stream gurgling as hikers pass by.

Rose Canyon Lake - The huge fire pit our fire was in!

Rose Canyon Lake

3.5(22 reviews)
61.3 mi

Get new kind and happy camp hosts! We drove 2 1/2 hours. To be yelled at called stupid and have a 5…read moregl bucket water thrown on our fire which hit a member of group who is not physically well! We checked before we left home and fires were fine. He did it to other campers as well. I come from a fire fighting family! Well aware of the danger. The host at the entrance who took our money was his wife she yelled at us all . Including the other 6 campers who were there to complain, said we were all stupid and that she quit. Mind you not one person was being rude or yelling. I deal with people daily. I would never treat any one so harshly. I feel that we were assaulted!

Starting off, I'm going to recognize 'Monica E' as an incredible resource for nearly everything as…read morea great breakdown on the intricate details of Rose Canyon Lake, so I won't capitulate on the details she provides; look up her review! There is one error I'll note with her review which is minor but important; you ARE able to reserve locations at Rose Canyon Lake. It's on numerous websites and even by calling, you can. No worries though, small detail but again, her review is amazingly full of all details that I found across three different websites and she put together for you! On a more simpler context I'll say this about Rose Canyon Lake, It's super tiny, very hilly (which I prefer!) and unfortunately the campsites are not 'near' the water. However with 70 some sites, you'll often hear someone near you because the trees deaden so much surrounding noise, you'll hear your neighbor; warning! In fact, our neighbors had to be reported on our visit in May because they were just obnoxious and atrocious with incredibly foul language - throughout the day and well past the quiet hours. Let's be honest, you come to the forest for some peace and quiet. Had we known there was a Ranger on duty throughout the night, we could've communicated that but we learned this the next day. RCL is small, beautiful with surrounding hiking and about 30 degrees cooler than Tucson. Win. Never saw the little 'Lake Store' open during our May visit but no worries nonetheless. Cell phone signal is absent in all the campsites unless you climb the hills around the lake. For at least the four phones with my group, that was the norm. You can use a canoe, ONLY if you pay extra for this. Not sure what good that is but the extra pay keeps you and other out of the water I suppose? There are also a generous amount of restroom spots throughout and some are unisex ones, most, with water spigots. You never have to go to far for a potty break so that made my daughters feel more comfortable. The wildlife surrounding is filled with humorous crows and tons and I mean TONS of squirrels of different species. The pine smell and the beautiful temps in May are a win... One final note, they make it much safer here by implanting 'bear proof' trash and campsite specific lock boxes to store all your food safely out of reach of Bears at night. This no doubt dramatically reduces interfaces thus, making it safer for continuous use as a campsite. The campsite Rangers where attentive and polite and overall, we highly recommend this location albeit secluded, no cell service and a bit on top of your neighbors. No real negatives per se except that the lake is REALLY tiny but is a reprieve nonetheless! It's a nice break from the heat of Tucson and the fresh pine smell is a win!

Photos
Rose Canyon Lake - The person who got drenched by the host ! And the fire pit which is on concrete!

The person who got drenched by the host ! And the fire pit which is on concrete!

Rose Canyon Lake - Early morning looking westward towards the edge of the dam.

Early morning looking westward towards the edge of the dam.

Rose Canyon Lake - Hooked Up!

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Hooked Up!

Environmental Operations Park - lakes - Updated May 2026

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