camping

We took our kids camping for the first time last summer. It was awesome. We forgot a matchbook but eventually struck a flame on the emergency flare in the car. We built a fire and attempted to cook our tinfoil dinners before it started raining. We ate (our slightly underdone) beef patties and potatoes out of the back of the car, sheltered by the umbrella of our hatchback (using our hands, because we forgot silverware, too), then ran to the tent where we listened to the rain come down all night. Like I say, it was awesome. Truly.

From Sierra Vista, take Hwy 92 S and turn up Carr Canyon Road 

(At The Mesquite Tree Restaurant)

Were you around when our town was on fire? Hello!

We camped at the Reef Townsite 

(which calls for a $10 fee dropped into the forest service box).

Pitch your tent, roast some marshmallows, and take your kids exploring!

Ghost Town!

Who doesn't love a ghost town? From Sierra Vista, drive out toward Whetstone and take a right onto Hwy 82 E toward Tombstone. Go a couple miles (wave at the dump and keep going!) You'll see signs for Fairbank Historic Townsite on your left. Pull in and walk through what's left of the place. A former railroad stop, at it's heyday in the late 1800s, this town had around 200 residents. 

The only open building has been converted into a mock schoolhouse, surrounded by displays of other interesting artifacts. Kids are welcome to draw on the chalkboard and sit in the desks.

Ask the guide about the history of the place. It's fascinating!

 When the kiddies tire of that, walk the .3 miles to the San Pedro and throw in some rocks. Never fails to amuse. For older kids, take them the 3 miles to the gravesite! Or the other longer trails that begin from the townsite.

ramsey canyon preserve

Did you know Sierra Vista is known as the hummingbird capital of the world? Well, now you do. From town, take Hwy 92 south to Ramsey Canyon Road. Turn right and follow the road until it ends at a quaint little B&B (520-378-3010) at the mouth of the Hummingbird Preserve.

They ask a $5 "donation" fee per car to go walk around. I think the first Saturday of every month is free. Last time we went, we saw more deer than hummingbirds*, but perhaps we were there out of season. Beautiful grounds, regardless.

Call 520-378-2785 for more info.

*see the San Pedro River post for more on hummingbirds

san pedro

I'm about to let you in on Sierra Vista's best-kept secret: The San Pedro River.

Coming from Sierra Vista, drive east on Fry Blvd (hwy 90) toward Bisbee. You'll pass Moson Rd. Keep going. Just before you hit the line of thriving cottonwoods that mark the river's path, take a right (it's marked: San Pedro Riparian).

Park in front of the San Pedro House (an old-school homestead place, converted into a fantastic bookstore that highlights local interests--including a great kid's section).

Walk down toward the river (bring your jogging stroller for the littlest ones--it's a bit of a walk). Around monsoon time, the river is raging and it's fun to see it from a distance. But in calmer months, we take the path down to the river and throw in rocks, explore the paths, etc.

Our dog loves this place, too. And it's never crowded.

If you're not in the mood to go all the way down to the river, stroll around the house. They've got labeled foliage and a few shady Ramadas. And the biggest tree my daughters have ever seen.
This site is a bird-watcher's dream. I bought my oldest daughter a foldout of local birds and we try to identify the ones that flock to the feeders around the house.

Check the schedule at the Friends of the San Pedro River. They've always got great events going. Last fall, we saw a bald eagle and held a snake and took a Clydesdale wagon ride!