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San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
Birding Around Las Vegas, Favorite Places Far Away
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Highway 90 at Entrance Road

Overview

The San Pedro riparian corridor runs north-south through the dry desert region north of the Mexican border, providing a well-vegetated corridor for breeding birds and migrants passing through on their annual journeys. Cottonwood trees grow densely along the river, a 40-mile stretch of which is in the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area, and grasslands beyond the trees provide additional habitat. Some 350 species of birds have been seen in the area.

Nearby, the Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park offers a viewing platform over a man-made wetland that is worth a look for birders with a little extra time after visiting San Pedro.

Link to Map.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Parking at San Pedro House

Description

The San Pedro River flows north from the Mexican border to the Gila River through the broad San Pedro Valley between the Mule and Huachuca Mountains. The riparian corridor is quite narrow, but it is densely vegetated with cottonwood and other trees, and it stands in stark contrast to the grasslands beyond the river and the desert scrub on the hills. This north-south oriented band of prime riparian habitat provides a migratory corridor for birds moving north and south during their annual journeys between breeding and wintering grounds. Over 100 species breed in the riparian corridor, and others winter here using the trees and grasslands for food and shelter.

There are several places to access the riparian areas. Two good places are the San Pedro House and Hereford Bridge. In addition, the Sierra Vista sewage treatment plant offers opportunities (before 3pm) to find waterfowl and other birds associated with ponds and cattail marshes.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House Visitor Center

San Pedro House, an historic ranch house, has been restored by the Friends of the San Pedro River and is used as a bookstore and visitor center. From the house, trails run through grasslands and mesquite thickets to the river, and then along the river to abandoned agricultural fields, intersecting washes, and several ponds.

Hereford Crossing is a 1-lane bridge over the San Pedro River near the town of Hereford. There is a parking area on the southwest side of the river with trails to the river. The riparian area here is narrower than at the San Pedro House. There are grasslands northeast of the bridge where Cassin's and Botteri's Sparrow can be found during the summer monsoon season (July to September). The fields are good during winter for finches and sparrows too.

Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park is a typical sewage treatment plant with secondary and tertiary ponds with marsh vegetation. Shade structures and picnic tables on an elevated ridge provide an overview of the area, but the gate closes at 3pm.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Desert Grasslands

Location

San Pedro House. The San Pedro House is located about 7 miles east of Sierra Vista, just west of the river. From Highway 92, drive east on Highway 90 for 6.9 miles. Watch for a sign and a right-turn-only lane. Turn right onto the access road, which leads south to the parking area.

Hereford Crossing. Hereford Crossing is located about 16 miles southeast of Sierra Vista. From Highway 90 in Sierra Vista, drive south on Highway 92 for 8.2 miles to Nicksville. In Nicksville, turn east on Hereford Road and drive 8.3 miles out to the river. The official parking area is just before the bridge on the south side of the road. Watch for signs.

Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park (EOP). The sewage treatment plant is located north of Highway 90 on Kino Rd (watch for Animal Shelter signs). From Sierra Vista, drive east on Highway 90 for 3.0 miles to Kino Rd. Turn left towards the animal shelter, but then continue straight north following the paved road and signs north and then around to the right and into the parking area.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Verdant riparian corridor along San Pedro River

Hours

San Pedro House and Hereford Crossing: Open during daylight hours. A sign says the gate is locked at dusk.

Hereford Crossing. Alway open, but probably should be considered day-use only.

Sierra Vista EOP: Seems to be open Monday through Friday during working hours at the plant. The gate is closed at 3pm, and it is too far to walk on hot afternoons. Vandalism has caused a reduction in hours.

Fees

None.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Kingfisher Pond

Specialties

Gray Hawk and neotropical migrants. Thirty-six species of raptors (including Mississippi Kite, Common Black Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Crested Caracara) have been seen here. Other species include Green Kingfisher, Northern-beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Neotropic Cormorant, Wild Turkey, Montezuma Quail, Scaled Quail, Gambel's Quail, Black Swift, Plain-capped Starthroat, Elegant Trogon, Thick-billed Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Robin, Baird's Sparrow, Cassins's Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, and lots of warblers.

Watch for rattlesnakes too.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Rattlesnake under feeder at San Pedro House

For More Information

Visitor information is available at San Pedro House or call the Sierra Vista Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) 288-3861, (520) 458-6940 for to a free Birding Guide. The BLM maintains an informative website.

San Pedro Riparian NCA
Entrance to San Pedro House (view S from Highway 90)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Sign on the entrance gate (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House access road (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Entrance sign at San Pedro House
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House (view SE)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House (view SW)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro House restrooms by the parking lot (view NE)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Grounds at San Pedro House
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Bird feeders at San Pedro House
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Information sign with trails map
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Trail sign (view E)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Trail east from San Pedro House runs across desert grasslands
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Trail fork with sign and bench (view E)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Northern Rough-winged Swallows
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Trail along San Pedro River (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro River (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Trail along San Pedro River (view N)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Riparian forest across the San Pedro River (view E)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Desert grasslands adjacent to riparian forest (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Desert grasslands adjacent to riparian forest (view S)
San Pedro Riparian NCA
San Pedro River
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Beaver dam along San Pedro River
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Cottonwood trees above San Pedro River
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Kingfisher Pond
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Kingfisher Pond
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Kingfisher Pond
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Kingfisher Pond
San Pedro Riparian NCA
Returning across desert grasslands towards San Pedro House

Hereford Bridge. A quiet area with access to the riparian forest and desert grasslands along the San Pedro River.

Hereford Road
Hereford Road approaching Hereford Bridge parking
Hereford Road
Hereford Road at turn to trailhead area
Hereford Road
Hereford Road at Hereford Bridge: one-lane road
Hereford Road
Hereford Road at Hereford Bridge
Hereford Road
Hereford Road at Hereford Bridge
Hereford Road
Turning off Hereford Road towards trailhead area (view S)
Hereford Road
Hereford trailhead access road at entrance sign (view S)
Hereford Road
Hereford trailhead access road continuing towards trailhead (view S)
Hereford Road
Fork in the road for parking (view S)
Hereford Road
Parking area sign (restrooms to the right too)
Hereford Road
Access road turns right towards bus parking and restrooms (view W)
Hereford Road
Information sign with trails map (view N)
Hereford Road
Trail leads into the desert grassland
Hereford Road
Trail leads into the desert grassland
Hereford Road
Trail sign in the desert grassland
Hereford Road
Watch for grassland birds: Brewers Sparrow
Hereford Road
Trail into the riparian woodlands (view N)
Hereford Road
Trail the riparian woodlands; bridge comes into view (view N)
Hereford Road
Trail runs under the bridge (view N)
Hereford Road
San Pedro River (view NE)
Hereford Road
San Pedro River (view N)
Hereford Road
Birding along the San Pedro River (view S)
Hereford Road
Grasslands east of the San Pedro River (view NE)
Hereford Road
Grasslands east of the San Pedro River (view NE)

Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park

The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) is a 640-acre site with a 50-acre wetland that provides habitat for birds and other wild creatures. A viewing platform overlooks the wetlands. The facility is open daily from 7 am to 3 pm. The Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park is not a birding destination, but with some extra time after visiting San Petro House, it is worth a quick stop.

Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Highway 90 at Keno Road (view NE; image courtesy Google Earth)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road (view NE from Highway 90; image courtesy Google Earth)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road (view N)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
EOP sign along Keno Road (view NE)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Birders who turn towards Animal Shelter see this sign (view E)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road approaching EOP gate (view N)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Hours: Monday to Friday, closing at 3pm
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Pedestrian access around the locked gate (view N)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road passes a shaded bench on the left (view N)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road passes trees on the right; watch for birds (view NE)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Road forks; stay right (view NE)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Keno Rd approaching EOP parking (view E)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Keno Road enters the parking area (view NE
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Toilet in the back of the parking lot (view NW)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Walking up to wildlife-viewing platform at EOP
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Shade and picnic tables on viewing platform at EOP
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Cattails and open water seen from EOP platform
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Cattails and open water seen from EOP platform
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Cattails seen from EOP platform
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Departing the EOP platform
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Be sure to look for land birds (Vesper Sparrow)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park
Be sure to look for land birds (nesting Curve-billed Thrasher)

Happy birding! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240508

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