Madera Canyon Travel Guide

 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. 

 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... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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. 

 Basaic Says:  There is a variety of plantlife living in the Madera Canyon. Shown here is a nice example of a barrell cactus. 

 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... 

 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...