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The "sky
islands" and open spaces of the Mountain Empire offer a number
of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking,
horseback riding and boating to biking and spelunking,
your visit can include a variety
of recreational activities — including
excursions to several ghost towns. Square Top Ranch Square Top Ranch owners Mike and Linda Wood discovered the gentle alpaca could provide them with an idyllic yet profitable lifestyle. Since purchasing their first alpaca in 1999 their herd has grown to 15-20 alpacas depending on the season. Their business includes raising and selling these wonderful animals and related alpaca products, as well as boarding for other owners. The
Square Top Ranch's goal is to breed and raise
conformationally correct, fine fleeced animals
with gentle endearing personalities.
They concentrate on hands-on individual attention
and the results are alpacas that are people
friendly and easier to raise and handle.
Ranch visits are welcome, please call in advance. More... Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve The Preserve is one of the best-known and most popular places for birding in the U.S. More birders have seen their first Gray hawks here than anywhere else. The streamside or riparian habitat found along Sonoita Creek contains some of the richest habitat remaining in Southern Arizona. More than 300 species migrate, nest, and live in this critical habitat and bird enthusiasts come thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of some of them. Of particular interest are the Gray hawk, vermilion flycatcher, violet-crowned hummingbird, thick-billed kingbird, zone-tailed hawk, green kingfisher, white-throated sparrows (in winter) and black-bellied whistling duck. But
even if you can't tell a bluebird from a blue jay, the Preserve
still offers something for you. Three miles of easy walking trails
take you along Sonoita Creek and through rare cottonwood willow
forest, and the peace that comes from relaxing under 140 year-old
cottonwood trees will bring you one step closer to nature. Come
during the summer months when the wildflowers are blooming! Guided
walks are offered every Saturday morning at 9:00am starting from
the Visitor Center.Take Hwy 82 into Patagonia and turn north on
4th Avenue. Turn left on
Pennsylvania Avenue. Pennsylvania changes to
Blue Heaven once you cross the cattle guard and the Preserve is
about one mile further, on
the left. For more information: Nature
Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. Are you new to birding? Or traveling a long distance hoping to add a life bird to your list? Then your birding tour won't be complete without a custom birding trip with local expert Matt Brown. More...
GOLF Mountain
Empire Trail Association (META) RODEOS, RACES, FAIRS
Santa
Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association The Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association, located at the Sonoita Fairgrounds, is 1/4 mile south of the Highway 82, Highway 83 junction in Sonoita, Arizona. We are 40 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona with easy access from I-10. At 5000' we maintain a year round temperature 10-15 degrees cooler than Tucson. The Fairgrounds are situated on 36.5 acres with parking for approximately 2000. A covered grandstand area seats 2200, 180 horse stalls, 1/2 mile race track, lighted rodeo arena, performance arena, club house with kitchen, exhibition halls and RV hookups are also available for outside events. Contact us for availability and rates. STATE PARKS Kartchner
Caverns If
spelunking is something you fancy, don't miss the extraordinary
Kartchner Caverns. Discovered by Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen, the
caverns are open to the public and offer exquisite formations, including
stately totems and cave rafts (small pools with floating calcite
held up by the surface tension of the water). One of the cavern's
soda straws is 17-feet long. A visit to Kartchner is a must for
anyone interested in peeking at the wonderlands that exist below
the desert mountains. Tickets sell fast so make your reservations
at least three months in advance. Take 1-10 east to Hwy 90 (exit
302). The park is located nine miles south of I-10. Parker
Canyon Lake Sierra Vista Ranger District Birdwatchers and nature lovers will find much to do at Parker Canyon Lake. At 5,375 feet in elevation, the lake is tucked into rolling hills covered with grasses and oak trees and surrounded by distant mountains. 132-acres are stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish, and offer ample boating and swimming opportunities. A lakeside trail meanders along part of the lake, providing scenic views of the lake and good wildlife watching. There is a store to purchase supplies and a nearby campground. Take Hwy 83 southfor about 50 miles and follow signs to Parker Canyon Lake. For information visit Parker Canyon Lake Park. Patagonia
Lake State Park When you arrive at this man-made lake you won't believe you are in Arizona. Hiking trails, rental boats, campground, day use area, and picnic ramadas await you in the Park, which also offers beach access and regularly scheduled pontoon boat birding tours. Call for the tour schedule, as it changes seasonally. The Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is a pristine area located adjacent to the Park, and offers 5,000 acres of cottonwoods, willows, sycamores and mesquites, nesting black hawks and endangered species. Take Hwy 82 south, 7 miles past the town of Patagonia. The Park is on the right. You will drive several miles after the turn before you reach the main gate. For more information and a calendar of events visit Patagonia State Park.
Native Seeds/SEARCH Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) is a nonprofit conservation organization that conserves, distributes and documents the adapted and diverse varieties of agricultural seed, their wild relatives and the role these seeds play in cultures of the American Southwestern and northwest Mexico. NS/S safeguards 2,000 varieties of arid-land adapted agricultural crops, and promotes their use by distributing seeds to traditional communities and to gardeners world wide. NS/S's Conservation Farm is located in Patagonia. The organization employs sustainable practices whenever possible, and plans to ultimately become completely organic. Opportunities for internships, harvest days, celebrations, and other volunteer projects are always available at the farm, which is not open to the public, but at which tours can be arranged. Contact the Tucson retail store for more information. Patagonia Community Garden The Patagonia Community Garden (PCG) provides a supportive, affordable environment for local residents to grow healthy, organic produce. PCG nurtures sustainable connections between people and the food they eat and demonstrates the powerful things people can do for themselves, using their own hands. PCG's goal is not only to give people the knowledge and tools that can reduce their monthly grocery bills and add fresh, seasonal produce to their diet, it also creates awareness and relationships between land, community, and the environment. PCG
is open to the public for romantic strolls
and picnics any time, day or night. It can
also be reserved for weddings, parties, and
other gatherings. Gardening spaces are available
for $5 per plot, per month, which includes
access to water, compost, and garden tools. HISTORY: MUSEUMS AND GHOST TOWNS Ghost Towns of Harshaw, Mowry, Washington Camp, and Duquesne A few tips: Harshaw is the place to go if you like old cemeteries. Just east of town, don't miss the photo opportunity of the adobe foundation and wall on the left side of the street. Duquesne is the farthest drive but has the most buildings still standing, including a large boarding house. Check out the photos of these ghost towns and print maps to their locations at: www.ghosttowns.com Select Arizona, then Santa Cruz County.
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