Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve - Railroad-Pradera-Creek Loop

Trail Information:

Name: Railroad-Pradera-Creek Loop in Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

Park’s agency: The Nature Conservancy

Contact: (520) 394-2400, aaron.mrotek@tnc.org

Location: 150 Blue Heaven Rd. Patagonia AZ

Parking fee:

$8 per person, TNC members and Cochise County Residents $5 per person, Ages 17 and Under are Free, Annual pass to Ramsey Canyon Preserve and Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve $55

Trail hours:

Gates April-September: Wednesday-Sunday 6:30am-4:00pm

October-March: Wednesday-Sunday 7:30am-4:00pm

Closed: Monday and Tuesday all year round, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days

Transit: None

Trail length plus more: 2.1 miles roundtrip, Gain 69′, Elevation 4000′

Trail surface: Rugged natural surface with rocks, roots, ruts, sand and occasional rustic stairs

Dogs: Allowed.

Description:

The Nature Conservancy Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is a beautiful destination for hiking and viewing wildlife. It is in Patagonia Arizona, about a 1½-hour drive southeast of Tucson. A 2.1-mile loop can be hiked along Sonoita Creek, through a sunny meadow, and along a converted railroad line with many opportunities to see fish, butterflies and birds.

Upon arrival at the Preserve, there is a large iron gate that is locked when the Preserve is closed. Parking is just inside the gate in a spacious dirt lot. There are no designated accessible parking spaces, but there is ample area to park large vehicles.

A concrete ramp leads to the unmanned visitor center. Interpretive signs and other interactive learning material can be found toward the back of the building under a ramada. An accessible restroom is available with a flushing toilet, grab bars and a sink with soap for hand washing. There is also potable water on site for filling water bottles.

Another concrete ramp behind the visitor center leads to the various hiking trails. This 2.1-mile loop combines sections of the Railroad, the Pradera and the Creek Trails. The hike begins on the Railroad Trail just behind the visitor center, and after 0.1 miles, the trail forks to the right onto the Creek Trail. The Creek Trail follows the bank of Sonoita Creek along a rugged natural surface. After about ½ mile, the hike intersects with the Pradera Trail to cross a grassy meadow leading back to the shady Railroad Trail. The Railroad Trail is a wide, flat route that follows an abandoned railroad line leading to an overview and then returning to the visitor center.

There are various benches along the way where hikers can rest and enjoy the scenery. The hike is partly shady as tall established trees provide a dense canopy. Hikers can expect to encounter a few sets of stairs and slopes which can be as steep as 12 degrees. The trail surface includes grass, dirt and small sections of sand that can be deeper than 2 inches. Large roots and holes, made by erosion and small creatures, may create potential obstacles. Dogs are not allowed in this sensitive wildlife habitat.

This hike provides visitors with ever-changing scenery from walking under an arch made by tree branches to hiking across a wide sunny meadow. The trails and facilities at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve are a wonderful place to get away from busy everyday life.

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.