Mount Wrightson Picnic Area and Trailhead
Mount Wrightson Picnic Area is located at the end of Madera Canyon Road, as far into this area of beautiful scenery and plentiful wildlife as you can drive. Tables and fire grills are scattered in the shade of a stand of silverleaf and Arizona white oaks. Views stretch up Mount Wrightson to the top of the Santa Ritas and down Madera Canyon to the Santa Cruz Valley and the community of Green Valley. Four of the most popular trails in the Santa Ritas start right at the Mount Wrightson Picnic Area. Two designated National Recreation Trails, Old Baldy National Recreation Trail #372 and the Super Trail #134, both of which lead to the top of Mount Wrightson, begin their mountain climbing journey from the left of the two parking areas. So does the Vault Mine Trail, which lives up to its name by scaling the north slope of Mount Hopkins, another of the Santa Rita’s highest peaks. A lot less taxing but no less interesting is the Madera Nature Trail, which leads from the picnic area down Madera Canyon, providing great views and excellent wildlife watching along the way. There is more notable birding and a good place to relax in a shady streamside setting up-canyon from the picnic area, along the higher reaches of sycamore-lined Madera Creek.
Mount Wrightson Picnic Area and Trailhead Photo Gallery
General Information
Year-round
Day use only: open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Day Use:
$8 per vehicle per day
$10 per vehicle per week
Day-use: $8 per vehicle
Weekly: $10 per vehicle
Buy a pass online, or purchase a pass on-site with cash or check. Proof of payment, or a valid Coronado National Forest Annual Pass or Interagency (America the Beautiful) Pass, including the Annual, Senior, Access, or Military Pass, must be displayed on the driver's side of the vehicle dashboard. Learn more about accepted passes.
Must be on a leash in developed recreation sites.
Address: 303 Old Tucson Rd. Nogales, AZ 85621
Phone: (520) 761-6000
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 31.71166667
Longitude: -110.8741667
Elevation
5,463 feet
Directions
From Tucson, Arizona, travel south on I-19 for approximately 35 miles to the Continental Road exit (Exit 63) in Green Valley, Arizona. Turn left (east) on Continental Road and go approximately 1 mile to the junction with the Madera Canyon/White House Canyon Road. Turn right (southwest) and travel approximately 13.5 miles to the Mount Wrightson Picnic Area.
Parking
Day use only; no overnight camping.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
There are limited accessible picnic tables; all restrooms are accessible.
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Potable water is available at the Madera Canyon Entrance Station, Proctor Trailhead, Madera Picnic Area, and Bog Springs Campground.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Interpretive Areas/Exhibits Info
Welcome to Ce:wi Duag ("choo duh awg")
The mountains you are standing in have been called by many names. While you might be more familiar with their Spanish and English name, the Santa Rita Mountains, older names tell stores of their cultural significance. Western Apaches call them Dzil enzho ("Beautiful Mountain") and Tohono O'oodham know them as Ce:wi Duag ("Long Mountain"). The Tohono O'odham have lived near Ce:wi Duag since time immemorial; thus, this is the oldest continuously used name for an important geographical landform and traditional cultural property.
Learn more at the site through educational signs in both English and Spanish.
Viewing Wildlife Info
More than 250 species of birds occur in Madera Canyon, including rare tropical migrants, like the elegant trogon, and 15 species of hummingbirds. Spring, late summer, and early fall are best for viewing many species, but birding is excellent at various elevations year-round.
Madera Canyon is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. Common inhabitants include Coues white-tailed deer, Gould’s turkey, black bear, coatimundi, and many species of bats, birds, and reptiles.
Picnicking - Groups Info
Reservations: No. First-come, first-served sites only. Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fee: Day-use fee required
Picnicking - Single Info
Reservations: No. First-come, first-served sites only. Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fee: Day-use fee required
Recreation Groups
People have inhabited the canyons and foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains (known as Ce:wi Duag or “long mountain” to the Tohono O’odham) for thousands of years.