Patagonia Lake State Park Birding Trail

Trail Information:

Name: Patagonia Lake State Park, Birding Trail

Park’s agency: Arizona State Parks and Trails

Contact: 520-287-6965, 1-877-MYPARKS

Location: 400 Patagonia Lake Rd. Patagonia AZ 85624

Parking fee:

Day use: per vehicle (1-4 people) $20 M-Th, $25 F-Su and holidays, bicycles $5

Annual Pass: $200

Trail hours:

Gates are closed from 10 pm to 4 am

Ranger Station is open daily

April-October: 8:30 am-4:30 pm (M-Th) 7:00 am-10:00 pm (F-S), 7:00am-6:30pm (Su) and November-March: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Visitor Center, Market, and Marina hours:

Visitor Center open 9:00 am- 4:00 pm, closed Mondays

Market hours vary by season (520-287-5545)

Park Marina hours vary by season (520-287-2804)

Transit: None

Trail length plus more: 2.0 miles loop, Gain 34’, Elevation 3800’. A shorter 1.3-mile loop is possible by skipping the extended loop north of Sonoita Creek. The paved portion of the trail is a 0.2-mile roundtrip to an overlook

Whitehouse Accessible Trail: 0.7 miles loop, Gain 85’, Loss 92’, Elevation 4600’

Trail surface: A short, paved section followed by rugged natural surfaces with rocks, ruts, grass, and occasional rustic stairs

Whitehouse Accessible Trail: paved

Dogs: Allowed.

Description:

Patagonia Lake State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing and boating. It is located 11 miles from Patagonia Arizona, about a 1½-hour drive southeast of Tucson. The Birding Trail is a 2-mile hike through a riparian zone with gorgeous views of Patagonia Lake and a great opportunity to see birds and wildlife.

After entering the park and passing the ranger station, the trailhead can be found by taking a right at the first intersection and driving through the campground and past the park cabins. Parking is limited at the trailhead, but other spaces can be found in three nearby parking lots.

The first 0.1 miles of the Birding Trail are paved. The paved portion of the trail ends at a small amphitheater with a bench offering a beautiful view of the lake. The trail then continues down a staircase of railroad ties to a rugged natural surface. Benches are scattered throughout the trail, each with a sign named after a bird you may see on the hike. These names provide waypoints along the trail that can be followed along the park map. Mature native trees provide shade on some sections of the trail while other sections are in direct sunlight. The trail surface varies from compacted dirt to rugged surfaces with rocks, ruts and grass. The width of the trail may range from 3 feet to 5 feet.

Accessible restrooms can be found a short distance from the trailhead and in the campground. Dogs are permitted on the Birding Trail, except for Fridays from 9 am to 2 pm, during the guided bird walk.

Hiking is not the only activity at Patagonia Lake State Park. Visitors may also enjoy camping in accessible spaces or taking a boat out on the lake. Motorized and non-motorized boats can be rented at the park marina, though there are some restrictions when the lake level is low. Snacks and other goods can be purchased at three different locations which include the Visitor Center, the Marina Store, and the Lakeside Market. ADA-compliant cabins are also available in the park with pre-reservation.

Patagonia Lake State Park has it all. A day trip may include hiking, boating, fishing, or birding. A longer stay in an accessible campsite or cabin could include all of these activities and more!

Disclaimer: The information provided is for general guidance only and may not reflect current conditions. Users must assess trails, consider their abilities, and assume all risks in the trail. We accept no responsibility for any injuries or incidents that may occur. Always use caution and prepare appropriately when visiting trails.