Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road

The Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road is a 52.5-mile route following Arizona Highways 82 and 83 through the Santa Cruz River Basin. The northern end of the route is at the Mountain View exit from Interstate 10, the southern end in Nogales near the Mexican border. In between is a beautiful drive across the desert floor between "sky island" mountain ranges, some of which rise more than 7,000 feet above the road. In some areas the road is in deep canyon, in some areas rolling hills, in some areas semi-arid valleys with expansive views. But as beautiful as the views may be, a lot of folks drive the Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road in the spring and fall with their binoculars and cameras in hand: this area sees more than 300 species of birds during the semi-annual migration seasons.

For many years before the Europeans arrived in the New World, the Santa Cruz River Basin saw many Hohokam traders passing through as this somewhat wetter area than the Sonoran Desert to the east and west made for easier traveling. After the Spanish did arrive, Father Francisco Eusebio Kino came into this area to establish several of his missions. One of them, San Xavier del Bac, is still operating as a church with regular services.

A long stretch of the route parallels the western boundary of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, a zone of rolling hills, grasslands and wetlands that more than 150 species of birds like to call "home." Most of that property is still a "working ranch" but folks are allowed to visit, hike and enjoy the wildlife. This is also an area where you might see large herds of pronghorns hanging out near the road.

A few miles east of Sonoita is where you'll find a large part of Arizona's fledgling wine industry. About a dozen wineries are taking advantage of the altitude (up to 4,700') and the micro-climate produced there to develop some excellent products.