Mount Wrightson Wilderness

Located in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona.

Lying at the core of the Santa Rita Mountains about 30 miles south of Tucson, this 25,260-acre area was dedicated by the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984.

Surrounded on all sides by semi-arid hills and sloping savannah, the center of the wilderness is striking. Mt. Wrightson, at 9,453 feet, is the highest point in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. Its majesty is accentuated by the fact that it rises a full 7,000 feet above the valley floor and can be seen from Tucson and surrounding communities.

Mt. Wrightson's stream-fed canyons are the source of an exceptional abundance of animal and plant life. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir dominate the higher elevations. Rough hillsides, deep canyons, and lofty ridges and peaks characterize the wilderness throughout. It is an extremely well-known area for bird watchers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. A developed recreation area in Madera Canyon lies at the foot of the wilderness, and the area is internationally renowned as a unique habitat for a variety of both common and rare birds.

For further information contact: Nogales Ranger District - Coronado National Forest