State Parks and National Parks

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge covers about 118,000 acres of grasslands, wetlands, streams and desert mountains. Motorists on the tour road get a feel for the way southeastern Arizona appeared 100 years ago.

The refuge offers a wide variety of recreation, including birdwatching and wildlife observation, nature trails along streams and wetlands, and primitive campsites. More than 200 miles of back roads are open for travel by vehicle, horse, or mountain bike.

Nature trails near Arivaca on the eastern boundary explore riparian areas where the plant, animal and bird life is at its most diverse. A boardwalk at the cienega, or wetland, is a major attraction.

More than 325 bird species make their home here, and the refuge is considered one of Arizona's best raptor-watching areas. Guided hikes are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of the month from November to April in Brown Canyon, which is usually closed to the public.

Arizona specialty birds, such as gray hawk, buff-collared nightjar, thick-billed kingbird and Strickland's woodpecker, are among the refuge's residents. Vermilion flycatchers are found at certain times of the year, and wetland species like Virginia rail and common yellow-throat also are frequently seen.

In summer, visitors listen for the songs of yellow-breasted chat, summer tanagers, blue grosbeaks and yellow-billed cuckoo. Spring and fall bring warblers and other colorful migrants. Endangered species include masked bobwhite, pima pineapple cactus, kearny bluestar and peregrine falcon.

The refuge also is home to pronghorn, coati, ringtail, mountain lion, badger and the occasional jaguar. Hunting for rabbit, dove, deer, coyote and javelina is permitted in season.

Although some of the primitive campsites, located along backcountry roads, are accessible to RVs, most can be reached only by high-clearance vehicles.

Expect heavy rains here during July and August.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Corel.