Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Hours
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
Closed Tuesdays/Wednesdays
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's

Fees
$6.00 per person. Conservancy members and Cochise County residents, $3.00 per person. Children under 16 - FREE. There is no admission charge the first Saturday of every month. Annual passes available, as well as two-fer that covers this preserve and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek ($10 general public). Group visits require prior arrangements. Please call (520) 378-2785.

Parking
Preserve parking is limited to 23 spaces. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no parking along the road below the preserve.

Facilities
The preserve headquarters include visitor parking, a nature center with a bookstore and hummingbird viewing. Here, visitors may learn about the preserve and its wild residents, the Upper San Pedro River Program, and the Conservancy by viewing interpretive exhibits, shopping in the bookstore, or simply enjoying the beauty of the lower canyon.

Bookstore Sale
The preserve bookstore is having a Summer Sale, with many items marked down 10-40%! Proceeds help cover operations costs and conservation work across southeastern Arizona. Nature-themed merchandise includes adult and children's books, birdwatching accessories, shirts and decorative items.

Gear
Sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and plenty of water.

Preserve Regulations
In consideration of the canyon's plants and animals, and staffing and space limitations, we ask all visitors and guests to observe the following regulations:
Please ask about policies governing photography before setting up equipment.  No buses, trailers, or large RV's (over 20 feet) can be accommodated in the tight parking lot.

Smoking, pets, camping, fires, hunting, radios or tape players, collecting, feeding wildlife, motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited. Enjoy picnicking at the table near the entrance.

Things To Do
Shady Summer Fun
Ramsey Canyon Preserve continues its guided walks through the summer. Savvy volunteers lead tours Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 9 am. The walks wander up an easy, shady trail and cover the lively natural and cultural history of the canyon. Leaders focus on birds and share information about The Nature Conservancy work here and beyond. Tours last about 2 hours.

Plan Your Visit
The best months for birding at the preserve are April through September. Spring weather is unpredictable, though usually cool and dry. Early summer is generally dry and  warm. In July and August, brief afternoon rainstorms can be a daily occurrence.  Fall days are cool and bright. Occasional snows from late November through late March bring a dramatic change in the scenery. On average, temperatures at the preserve are 10-15 degrees cooler than those in Tucson.

The diverse wildlife and habitats of Ramsey Canyon may be viewed from the Hamburg Trail. This open-ended route parallels Ramsey Creek through the preserve before climbing 500 feet in a half-mile series of steep switchbacks. These lead to a scenic overlook in the Coronado National Forest one mile from the preserve headquarters. From the overlook, the trail continues upstream and enters the Miller Peak Wilderness Area where it joins other trails.