San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

Arizona · Southwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandDesertForest

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-September

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

The San Pedro Riparian NCA protects 40 miles of the upper San Pedro River, one of the last undammed rivers in the Southwest. This lush cottonwood-willow corridor supports over 350 bird species and is one of the most important migratory corridors in the continental US.

Location

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Notable Species

Gray Hawk Green Kingfisher Vermilion Flycatcher Lucy's Warbler Tropical Kingbird

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

3/4/2026Salt River--Blue Point Recreation Area1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Anza Trail--Tubac1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Arthur Pack Regional Park3 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/4/2026Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo US-AZ 31.92990, -112.976881 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Ron Morriss Park1 observed

Mallard x Mexican Duck (hybrid)

Anas platyrhynchos x diazi

3/4/2026Walnut Canyon Lakes1 observed

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

3/4/2026Catalina Regional Park1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

3/4/2026Isabella Lee Natural Preserve1 observed

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

3/4/2026Isabella Lee Natural Preserve4 observed

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

3/4/2026My Home1 observed

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

3/4/2026Cottonwood gallery restoration site1 observed

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo plumbeus

3/4/2026Cottonwood gallery restoration site2 observed

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

3/4/2026Pantano River Park--Glenn St/Sahuara Ave (opened 2018)1 observed

Western Warbling Vireo

Vireo swainsoni

3/4/2026Patagonia Lake SP--Birding Trail1 observed

Scott's Oriole

Icterus parisorum

3/4/2026Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (closed Thursday morning)1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/2026Ron Morriss Park1 observed

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/4/2026West Clear Creek--Bull Pen Rd26 observed

Recent Observations

Black-throated Sparrow

Las Cienegas NCA--Cottonwood Tanks

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mexican Jay

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Say's Phoebe

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Coot

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

3 birds

Vermilion Flycatcher

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gila Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

2 birds

Orange-crowned Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ruddy Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

2 birds

Verdin

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bewick's Wren

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

7 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Greater Roadrunner

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Abert's Towhee

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ring-necked Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

4 birds

Birding Tips

1
Walk the San Pedro House trail for riparian specialties
2
Check the cottonwoods for nesting Gray Hawks in spring

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Kartchner Caverns State Park

More in Arizona

Madera Canyon

Santa Rita Mountains canyon famous for Elegant Trogons and diverse hummingbirds.

Cave Creek Canyon

Chiricahua Mountains canyon and top US site for rare Mexican mountain species.

Ramsey Canyon Preserve

The Hummingbird Capital of the US with up to 15 species in the Huachuca Mountains.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area for birding?▼

The best months to visit San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area for birding are April-September. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.

What birds can I see at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area?▼

Notable species at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area include Gray Hawk, Green Kingfisher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Lucy's Warbler, Tropical Kingbird. The area supports wetland, desert, forest habitats.

How difficult is birding at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area?▼

Birding at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area?▼

There is no entrance fee at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area?▼

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.