Trail: Arivaca Creek
National Park: USFWS
Features: Archeo/paleo/historical
Creek(s)
Grove(s)
Valley(s)/canyon(s)
Waterfall(s)
Wetland(s)
Other (describe below)
Activities: Dogs - On leash
Pedestrian - Walking/Hiking/Running
Wildlife observation - Birds
Wildlife observation - Mammals
Rock climbing
Rockhounding
Desc: The trail meanders under giant cottonwoods and through lush vegetation which attracts songbirds, woodpeckers, owls, and coatimundi (racoon relatives), to Arivaca Creek’s banks. A short side trail leads to the stream’s edge next to the home of Eva Wilbur-Cruce, who wrote about growing up here in “A Beautiful Cruel Country.” In spring brilliant vermillion flycatchers flit between roosts on the branches along the creek. the trail is alive with calls from summer tanagers and yellow breasted chat in summer.
The trail along Arivaca Creek takes visitors through rare and valuable desert southwest wetland and riparian habitats, homes for listed endangered species, species of concern, and many other native plants and wildlife. Over 320 species of birds have been recorded at Buenos Aires NWR, many of them along Arivaca Creek.
The trail lies at the eastern edge of the small community of Arivaca