Madera Canyon Travel Guide
Road to Madera Canyon
by Basaic
-
Road to Madera Canyon
by Basaic
-
-
Santa Rita Lodge
by Basaic
-
View Along Trail
by Basaic
-
View Along Trail
by Basaic
Explore Madera Canyon
Short Trail From Proctor Parking Area
Basaic Says:
There is a short handicapped accessible trail starting at the Proctor Parking Area. It has a few interpretive signs and has nice views of the surrounding area (to include Elephant Head Mountain), the creek, and some wildlife. It also leads to the White House Ruins.
Ridgline
Basaic Says:
Also from the Nature Trail you can see the ridgline that is the route for the Mount Wrightson Trail, the most challenging hike in the Madera Canyon.
Nature Trail
Basaic Says:
The nature trail starts at either the Nature Trail and Ampitheater Parking Area or the Mt Wrightson Picnic Area. I suggest starting at the Nature Trail and Ampitheater Trailhead. The total length of the trail is 2.7 miles. The trail is moderate in difficulty, mostly due to...
Resurrection Plant
Basaic Says:
Along the nature trail which starts at the Nature Trail and Ampitheater Parking Area or the Mt Wrightson Picnic Area (and is 2.7 miles long) there are several interpretive signs telling you about key sites along the way. One of them refers to the Resurrection Plant. This...
Quartzite Outcropping
Basaic Says:
Along the nature trail which starts at the Nature Trail and Ampitheater Parking Area or the Mt Wrightson Picnic Area (and is 2.7 miles long) there are several interpretive signs telling you about key sites along the way. One of them refers to the white outcropping of rock...
Madera Canyon Creek
Basaic Says:
Madera Canyon Creek flows through the valley and crosses several of the trails. At some points they have benches so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Sediment brought down from the mountains by the creek spreads out at the mouth of the canyon and creates a fertile...
White House Ruins
Basaic Says:
The White House has stood at the entrance to Madera Canyon since the 1880s. It was built by the Theodore Wellish family who also owned the White House Mercantile Store in nearby Tucson. It was painted a bright white and was very useful as a landmark to anyone traveling in...
Bat Houses
Basaic Says:
You can see up to 28 species of bats living in Madera Canyon. Because of the dwindling natural habitat, bat houses like these are becoming more and more important to perpetuating the species.
Enter Madera Canyon
Basaic Says:
When you first arrive at Madera Canyon there is a small kiosk in the middle of the road. You stop here and they will give you some information about the area, and a map of the hiking trails. There are five main areas where you can park and hit a trailhead: The Proctor...
Chuparosa Bed and Breakfast: Bed and Breakfast
Basaic Says:
There are also a few bed and breakfast establishments in the canyon. The Chuparosa Bed and Breakfast is farther up the canyon from the Santa Rita Lodge. For info check out the website.
Santa Rita Lodge: Rustic Accomodations in Madera Canyon
Basaic Says:
The Santa Rita Lodge offers a rustic, quiet setting in the middle of beautiful Madera Canyon. The area around the lodge is rich with wildlife and a wide variety of plants. At 5000 feet it is normally around 10 degrees cooler than Tucson. They have a variety of cabins qith AC...
Getting to Madera Canyon
Helpfulness
Basaic 6698 reviews
There are two main ways to get to Madera Canyon. You can take the exit for Continental off of Interstate 19 or you can take the Greaterville exit from Arizona Highway 83 which turns into a windy dirt road. The windy dirt road is much more interesting and has great scenery.
Updated Feb 20, 2008
Website: http://www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org/
- Related to:
- Birdwatching
- Eco-Tourism
- Family Travel
Comments