The Nature Conservancy - Aravaipa Canyon Preserve

Aravaipa Canyon

Aravaipa Canyon, located about 50 air-miles northeast of Tucson, is noted for its desert stream, majestic cliffs, and bighorn sheep.

The Conservancy’s Aravaipa Canyon Preserve includes lands at both the east and west ends of the canyon as well as preserve lands, intermixed with public land, on the canyon’s south rim. The preserve’s 7,000 acres of deeded land, combined with the the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 35,000 acre south rim allotment, comprise a management unit of roughly 42,000 acres. Preserve elevation ranges from 2,800 feet at the west end of the canyon bottom to 6,150 feet on Table Mountain.

The 10-mile long central gorge, which cuts through the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains, is a federal Wilderness Area managed by BLM. Access into Aravaipa Canyon is by permit only and available only through BLM.

Fish monitoring, controlled burning, and other conservation management activities on Aravaipa Canyon Preserve are directed toward ensuring the long-term protection of the stream system and its mixed broadleaf riparian forest composed of cottonwood, willow, walnut, alder, and sycamore trees.

What's New
“The Conservancy is proud to announce the donation of Cobra Ranch near the east end of Aravaipa Canyon. A key tributary of the threatened San Pedro River will be protected from development and groundwater pumping thanks to the donation of this historic ranch to The Nature Conservancy in Arizona by Dan Bates, a Tucson artist and restaurateur. For more information, go to Cobra Ranch.

Planning Your Visit
Open daily, year-round. Access into Aravaipa Canyon requires a permit from the Bureau of Land Management by calling (928) 348-4400. Pedestrian access to the Conservancy's preserve is allowed only with prior authorization from Aravaipa Canyon Preserve staff. Neither The Nature Conservancy nor its Aravaipa Canyon Preserve staff can issue BLM Wilderness permits. Permits can be obtained only by contacting the Safford, Arizona District Office by calling (928) 348-4400.

Preserve Regulations
In consideration of our sensitive wildlife habitats and the number of visitors we host, all visitors are asked to remain on the road while travelling through The Nature Conservancy’s preserve land. No unauthorized off-road entry is allowed. Damage or removal of any plants, animals, wood, minerals, or artifacts and/or collecting of any kind is prohibited. Visitors are asked not to feed the wildlife. Picnicking, camping, and fires are not permitted. No dogs, horses, or other domestic animals are allowed on the preserve. Hunting, fishing and firearms are prohibited.

Road Conditions
Roads into and through the preserve are gravel, can be rough and are subject to closure during wet weather. At the east end the road crosses Aravaipa Creek several times through the preserve before reaching BLM Wilderness Area parking. All visitors are asked to remain on the road while travelling through The Nature Conservancy’s preserve land. No hunting or unauthorized off-road entry is allowed on the preserve.

Getting There
Need help finding our preserves? Download directions (.pdf, 143 kb) to the six Arizona preserves open to the public. (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Gear
Hat, binoculars, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water. High-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Camping
No camping is allowed within the preserve. At the West end, camping is available across from the Brandenburg Ranger Station. Brandenburg Campsite is identified by a sign along Aravaipa Road. There are restrooms and trash cans. Fires are not allowed. Space is very limited. Only one small group can occupy this site and no other public land is available outside the wilderness for camping on the West end.

At the East end two camping areas are available. Fourmile Canyon Campground, located about one mile southwest of the Klondyke Store has ten units with picnic tables, grills and a flush toilet. Fourmile Canyon has a fee of $5.00 per night. The second area is Turkey Creek, a primitive camping area with no facilities. Turkey Creek is located near the east wilderness entrance and has no fee.

Please remember that, on both entrances, campsites are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Primitive camping in the Wilderness Area is for permit holders only.

Wildlife Viewing
Pristine Aravaipa Creek flows perennially through the full length of the preserve’s canyon property and is the heart of the preserve and canyon. The creek is a tributary of the San Pedro River and shelters the best remaining assemblage of desert fishes in Arizona, with seven native species. Two of these species are federally listed as threatened—the spikedace and loach minnow. Among the more than 200 species of birds found at Aravaipa are black and zone-tailed hawks, peregrine falcon, yellow-billed cuckoo, Bell’s vireo, and beardless tyrannulet.

Among the larger mammals that roam the canyon rim and bottomlands are mountain lion, coatimundi, ringtailed cats, black bear, and desert bighorn sheep. In the spring, colorful native wildflowers such as lupine, four o’clock, monkey flowers, columbine and other, more rare species can be seen along Aravaipa Creek. Check out our Calendar of Nature Events for more details.

Preserve History
Nature Conservancy preserves in Arizona share much of the colorful history of the state itself including indians and cowboys, the cavalry, prospectors and Eastern dudes even a Civil War skirmish. Where was that?

Places to Visit
Want to know about other Arizona preserves open to the public? Download a flyer (.pdf, 246 kb) with the details. (Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Questions?
Call (928) 828-3443 or e-mail mhaberstich@tnc.org

Photos
Top: Aravaipa Canyon © Hal Malde
Middle: Blue heron © Paul Berquist
Bottom: Aravaipa Canyon © The Nature Conservancy