Sierra Vista: Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.

Sierra Vista, one of the top bird watching places on earth, is nicknamed the Hummingbird Capital of the United States™. Annually, 15 species of hummingbirds and more than 300 other bird species visit nearby canyons, forests, and riverbanks.

Sierra Vista is also Cochise County’s largest city and home to an array of historical, commercial, and natural experiences. In addition to the stunning natural beauty all around Sierra Vista, the city also offers exciting attractions for adventure seekers and history lovers, such as the Arizona Folklore Preserve, Carr House Visitor Center, and COVE Aquatic Center.

Photo Credit: (top) Visit Sierra Vista, (bottom) @visitsierravista

Explore Sierra Vista for soaring mountain peaks under extraordinary skies, rich history, and room to roam. With 275 days of sunshine and a temperate climate, Sierra Vista is a year ’round destination for outdoor adventure, authentic history, and global cuisine.

ARIZONA TRAIL

The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a rugged trail that is more than 800 miles long. It starts at the Mexican border and goes north to the border of Utah. The first 21 miles are in the Huachuca Mountains in Sierra Vista.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches across the entire length of the state to connect deserts, mountains, forests, canyons, wilderness, history, communities, and people. This non-motorized trail showcases Arizona’s diverse vegetation, wildlife, and scenery, as well as unique historic and cultural sites. The route provides unparalleled opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and other trail users.

BROWN CANYON RANCH

Step back to the turn of the 20th Century with a visit to Brown Canyon Ranch. First permanently occupied by John Thomas Brown and his family around 1800, the property passed through many hands until James and Tom Haverty built the ranch house sometime between 1905 and 1907.

The adobe ranch house, storeroom, and corrals provide a glimpse of ranch life in the early days. The windmill still pumps water into a storage tank, and the pond, with its beautiful trees and lush vegetation, provides a home to an endangered species of frog. Trails lead from the ranch to Brown Canyon and connect with other trails throughout the National Forest. Allow 2 hours.

CORONADO MEMORIAL

In the mid-16th century, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his soldiers marched from Mexico into the San Pedro Valley searching for the Seven Cities of Cibola and its fabled gold. The National Park Service operates the 4,750-acre Memorial Park, home of the Coronado National Memorial.

The Memorial is also the beginning of the famous Arizona Trail, with outstanding hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. While at the Memorial, explore the Coronado Cave. This cave is perfect for folks who would like a caving experience without rappelling, squeezing through tiny passageways, or belly crawling. Legend has it that Geronimo used the cave as a hideout in the late 1800s.

OUR LADY OF THE SIERRAS

This site where Our Lady of the Sierras is located offers virtually unlimited panoramic views of the San Pedro Valley and is home to a shrine inspired by a religious pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia.

The 75-foot Celtic cross, chapel, and 31-foot statue of the Virgin Mary provide a peaceful sanctuary that visitors of all faiths can enjoy. The views from the shrine of the surrounding mountains and valley are breathtaking. Allow 1 hour.

RAMSEY CANYON

You won’t want to miss this world-renowned attraction. The canyon’s unique interplay of geology, biology, topography, and climate makes it a highly sought-after refuge. A habitat for many plants and animals, Ramsey Canyon Preserve nurtures over 170 varieties of birds, including 14 species of hummingbirds.

Inside the Visitor Center at Preserve is the “Please Touch Room,” always exciting for children. With bird nests, snakeskins, and other wildlife bits, all available for touching and holding, this unusual, animal and bird collection is always intriguing.

SAN PEDRO RIPARIAN

The San Pedro Riparian area, containing about 40 miles of the upper San Pedro River, was designated by Congress as a National Conservation Area (NCA) to protect and enhance the desert riparian ecosystem, a rare remnant of what was once an extensive network of similar riparian systems throughout the Southwest.

The river’s stretch is home to more than 80 species of mammals, two native species and several introduced species of fish, more than 40 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 100 species of breeding birds. It also provides invaluable habitat for 250 species of migrant and wintering birds and contains archaeological sites representing the remains of human occupation from 13,000 years ago.

SIERRA VISTA: HUMMINGBIRD CAPITAL OF THE U.S.

With a 360-degree mountain view and temperate four-season climate, Sierra Vista embraces visitors with its outdoor exploration, international cuisine, and world-class birding. Sierra Vista is geared for adventure. There is hiking, mountain biking, and cycling just steps away from your hotel room door.​

The city is a melting pot of cuisines, from mom and pops to white tablecloth dining establishments to independent restaurants serving authentic dishes from around the world.

Gorgeous sunsets place the sky ablaze with a rainbow of colors, and the dark nights are star-studded adventures for amateur astronomers. The city is home to many amateur observatories, plus Patterson Observatory at University of Arizona South campus, which offers public viewing days.

RESOURCES

Looking for more information on Sierra Vista? Check out the resources below.

 

1 The Sierra Vista Visitor Center is a great starting point to learn about all of the area attractions. Visit
2 Visit the City of Sierra Vista website for information on city services, departments, economic development opportunities, and more. Visit

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