The 6 Best Nature & Parks in Patagonia, Arizona (AZ)

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds is a place to explore and experience the special birds of southeast Arizona. It is dedicated to the celebration and conservation of hummingbirds—and all of southeast Arizona’s astounding biodiversity—through recreation, education, and sustainable living. Gates are open sunrise to sunset. Entry is free of charge, but your generous donations to the “Sugar Fund“ help us maintain the grounds, feed the birds, improve the habitat, and provide education and recreation programs.

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area (SCSNA) is located in Santa Cruz County downstream from Patagonia Lake State Park along lower Sonoita Creek, a perennial tributary of the Santa Cruz River. Twenty miles of trails are available for hiking and eight miles of trails are shared with equestrians. A 1.5 mile hike of moderate difficulty called the “Overlook Trail” is close to Patagonia Lake State Park and is a great way to see 360 degrees of spectacular scenery. Most of the trails are more remote and the shortest round trip hike to the creek is three miles on the Sonoita Creek Trail. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area and Patagonia Lake State Park are designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. If you are a bird watcher you may hit the jackpot here. During spring migration, late January through early April, a guided bird walk of a few hours could bring over 60 species to your attention. The complete bird list is over 300 species.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is a hidden treasure.Patagonia Lake State Park was established in 1975 as a state park and is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The park offers a campground, beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables and grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, and a marina. The nearby Lakeside Market offers boat rentals and supplies. The campground overlooks the lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. The park is popular for water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. And the tracks of the New Mexico/Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. Hikers can stroll along the creek trail and see birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.

Prime birdwatching spot located 3.5 miles southwest of Patagonia.