Santa Rita Mountains
The Santa Rita Mountains are the fourth highest of the sky island mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and they rise nearly 6,000 feet above the desert floor. They are extremely rugged with steep slopes, sharp peaks, and narrow ridges. Much of the vegetation is pine forest mixed into oak-pine forest at lower elevations. Several of the deeper canyons have perennial streams and well-developed riparian communities.
Northernmost mountain range within the Nogales Ranger District. Includes the popular Madera Canyon.
General Information
Recreation Sites
Whitehouse Picnic Area
The Whitehouse area is named for the nearby ruins of an old white adobe house built at the mouth of Madera Canyon in the 1880s. Tables and charcoal grills here are tucked under mesquite and oak trees…