Pajarita Wilderness

Located in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona.

Administered by the Nogales Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, this area was established as wilderness in 1984. Located approximately 15 miles west of Nogales, the only access is Ruby Road, which is unpaved for much of its length.

Although comprising only 7,420 acres, the area is extremely important to wildlife and plant life. Hugging the international border with Mexico, Pajarita's canyons—principally Sycamore Canyon—provide an important corridor for wildlife migration north and south. Sycamore Canyon is widely known and esteemed both as a popular hiking spot and even more importantly, as the habitat for rare and unusual plants and animals too numerous to list.

Pajarita is the only non-mountainous wilderness within the Coronado National Forest. Although in an area of rolling hills with elevations ranging from 3,800 to 4,800 feet, the terrain within the canyons is rough with steep slopes and vertical cliffs. Vegetation is largely oak woodland, with riparian zones along the narrow canyon bottoms. Abundant wildflowers put on an annual display of color extremely popular with photographers.

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