Visiting Southeast Arizona
Lodging provided by organizations that support Tucson Audubon as partners in our efforts to serve the community through conservation, education, and recreational programs.
If you are interested in making your business or organization an Alliance Member of Tucson Audubon, read more or contact Jean Barchman, (520) 629-0510.
STERLING LEVEL 
Rancho Esmeralda
ranchoesmeraldanogales.com
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520-241-7072
The 20,000 acre Rancho Esmeralda was created as a “super” ranch by getting surrounding ranchers to join in an effort to preserve critical riparian habitat, and allow for visitors to see the many rare bird, animal and plant species that call the Esmeralda home. The location is ideal for visitors since it is only 2 hours from Tucson . The ranch introduces visitors to the land, the history, the food, the music and culture of northern Mexico . Eco-tourism subsidizes the income of the ranches and enables them to preserve habitat and allow the land to remain relatively undisturbed.
The rancho at Esmeralda features a spectacular solar powered Spanish Colonial lodge, for groups of 15-50 people, with pool/Jacuzzi. Now available for smaller groups is the lovely, new 4 bedroom, Las Avispas ranch house, a great place for spotting Elegant Trogons from the porch.
The Esmeralda's bird list includes Elegant Trogon, Rose-throated Becard, Gray Hawk, 5 Striped Sparrow and Yellow-billed Cuckoo to name a few. The Rancho is also home to many fish, frogs, and endangered animals. Sky Island Alliance has several cameras set up on the ranch documenting the wildlife, including the big cats. We hope to add the jaguar to that list as the rancho falls into their range. The Rancho embraces eco-tourism as a way to commit to preserving the land, the history and the traditional way of life in this beautiful region of Mexico. Our website is www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.com
See our Alliance Member birding travel page for their current trips.
STERLING LEVEL 
Solipaso Tours/El Pedregal Nature Lodge
solipaso.com
Solipaso is a small birding and natural history tour company based in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, owned and operated by David and Jennifer MacKay. They personally research, organize and run all of their tours and specialize in high quality, fun, small group birding and natural history trips throughout Mexico. Some of the locations they run trips to include Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima/Jalisc, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Yucatan and Chiapas (coming soon). Beyond the scheduled dates for their various trips, they also specialize in doing custom trips.
The MacKays have lived and worked in Mexico for 15 years and enjoy sharing their love and knowledge of the country with their guests. Jennifer and David have a background in active travel with an emphasis in high customer service. Originally from the Bay Area, they migrated to Mexico in search of an alternative lifestyle. They landed in Alamos and began to explore the environs. David is a self taught birder, loves being out in the field and showing people lots of birds, all the while having a good time. His sense of humor makes every day a good day. David has deep knowledge of birds and the culture of regions in which we travel. Jennifer runs the show in Alamos and occasionally gets out into the field. She manages Solipaso trips and is also an accomplished cook (meals at their place in Alamos are a highlight for our guests), yoga teacher and is involved with several charities in Alamos. David and Jennifer have raised their two daughters, Salina and Elly, in Alamos.
Solipaso is the birding tour end of their business. They have also recently opened El Pedregal Nature Lodge and Retreat Center. They have five luxury casitas and a central lodge set on 20 acres at the edge of the town of Alamos.
See our Alliance Member birding travel page for their current trips.
SILVER LEVEL
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
www.loewshotels.com
7000 North Resort Drive, Tucson, AZ 85750
299-2020
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort has partnered with the
“As our property was built with nature in mind, we decided to find ways that we could expand on this legacy,” said Brian Johnson, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Managing Director. “The Loews Ventana Canyon Window Trail allows us to share with all of our guests the unique aspects of the
Located at
SILVER LEVEL
The Oasis at Way Out West
www.wowarizona.com
5494 East Edwin Road, Tucson, AZ 85739
825-4590
At Way Out West, you're immersed in nature. Offering lodging since 1998 in a bed & breakfast fashion, we’re twenty miles north of Tucson, on a three-acre private nature preserve. Warm hospitality, spectacular views, and abundant wildlife welcome you to our home. Winding through the gardens, stroll our 'home trails' and habitat restoration areas, or you can hike into the Santa Catalinas. Our bird population is rich and varied, with the ‘House Life List’ at 135.
“…imposing mountains form a superlative backdrop for one of Tucson's finest hummingbird and butterfly gardens…. Rufous-winged Sparrows regularly visit bird feeders.” Dr. Dale A. Zimmerman
“You are fountains of information about the natural world!” Nancy Zierenberg, Arizona Native Plant Society
“…this place is amazing, one of the best butterfly gardens in Tucson.” Jim Brock, ‘Butterfly Man’
Facilitating your natural experience is our goal; however, we do offer free Wi-Fi, hot tubs, billiards and Home-Theatre for ‘apres’ birding pleasure! Visit our site at wowarizona.com for on-site photos, reviews, and rate information.
COPPER LEVEL
Casa Adobe Bed and Breakfast
www.CasaAdobe.net
Rodeo, NM
1-877-557-2275
Casa Adobe is a new birder-friendly B&B in Rodeo, New Mexico. Nestled between the Chiricahua and Peloncillo Mountains ~50 miles north of Douglas, AZ. Rodeo is on the New Mexico Birding Trails system and is nine miles from Portal, AZ and the Cave Creek Canyon birding areas. Casa Adobe is a one bedroom/bath private hacienda with kitchen, living room, laundry and three patios. A curving perimeter wall surrounds the grounds defining a quiet restful space for birding or relaxing and soaking in the views. A number of feeders and water baths decorate the property to attract a diversity of birds.Rates include breakfast in your hacienda or at one of several nearby cafes within easy walking or driving distance. Outdoor activities are moments from Casa Adobe, including day hiking, extended trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging, landscape/wildlife photography, and more.
Because Rodeo is far from population centers night skies are exceptionally dark facilitating serious astronomical observations. When you plan your next outdoor adventure, consider staying at Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo. You’ll find your stay at Casa Adobe pleasant and filled with possibilities. For reservations call toll-free 1-877-557-2275 or visit www.CasaAdobe.net.
COPPER LEVEL
Casa de San Pedro Bed and Breakfast
www.bedandbirds.com
Casa de San Pedro bed and breakfast is located next to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) on ten acres with easy access to the San Pedro River, which offers excellent birding. The property also has a number of feeders on it to make birding easy and enjoyable year-round.
The bed and breakfast has 10 guest rooms, all with private entrance and private bath and individual thermostats for your comfort. A full breakfast is served each day and early breakfasts are available to accommodate birders. Fresh pies and cookies are available in the afternoon. Dinners are available certain times of the year, or for groups of 6 or more with advance notice. The common areas offer plenty of room to visit with other birders or spend quiet time updating your birdlist.
Our Barn Owl box has had a family in it the last three years. A bat house, made to house up to 6,000 bats, can be quite a sight in the early spring when over 400 bats have flown out searching for bugs. It is not unusual to see Lesser Night Hawks circling our fields, bats leaving their box, and Barn Owls taking flight during the mid-evening starting in early May.
The grounds are constantly being improved with drought-tolerant plants that attract birds and butterflies. We welcome birders to visit us and experience birding at our bed and breakfast, and if you would like to stay a night or two, we would be most happy to host you. www.bedandbirds.com.
COPPER LEVEL
Cat Mountain Lodge
www.catmountainlodge.com
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578-6068
Cat Mountain Lodge is a Southwestern style bed & breakfast built in 2009. We have 4 spacious rooms with private baths, complimentary breakfast at the Coyote Pause Café next door, and a central courtyard. Birdwatchers and nature lovers can explore the hiking and biking trails of the breathtaking Tucson Mountains.
COPPER LEVEL
Down by the River Bed and Breakfast
www.downbytheriverbandb.com
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(520) 720-9441
2255 Efken Place
Mailing address: P.O. Box 387
Saint David, AZ 85630
Located on the San Pedro River at the northern end of the San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area. At the end of the day, relax on the porch as the sun sets and watch the flocks of birds as they fly to their roosts for the night in the cottonwoods along the San Pedro River, while the background of Arizona hues in purple and pinks reflecting from Cochise's Stronghold grow stronger. Down By The River is a 15 acre property that borders the San Pedro River and is within sight of the northern end of the world famous San Pedro National Riparian Area.
COPPER LEVEL
Heartstone Mountain Ranch
www.heartstoneranch.com
877-562-2955
In the past, birders had their choice of staying in hotels or camping when they visited southeast Arizona to bird our more remote locations. That meant extra expenses for meals at restaurants, packing in all of the items needed to cook meals in the field, extra travel time to birding locations, and no opportunity to really “make yourself at home” during the visit. All that is changing as more creative lodging options are becoming available.
We are pleased to introduce our newest Birds and Business Alliance member, Heartstone Mountain Ranch, a wonderful new option for visiting birders or for locals needing an opportunity to escape the concrete jungle by walking out the front door and into a birders' paradise!
Only minutes from the desert but high above its heat, this sky island retreat is a haven of peace and tranquility. If you're an avid birder, hiker or mountain biker, or just want a quiet weekend away, Heartstone Mountain Ranch offers stunning views, tree-shaded trails and clear starry nights. Bordered on three sides by Coronado National Forest , elevation 5,200 feet, the 9.5-acre Heartstone Mountain Ranch is only 10 miles from Parker Canyon Lake and is in the heart of southeastern Arizona 's world-renowned birding mecca.
Heartstone Mountain Ranch has weekly and daily (2 night minimum) rates for a charming 2-bedroom, 2-bath house. The house, surrounded by oak forest and grasslands, has a large stone fireplace, a wraparound balcony, rear patio, and a fully-equipped modern kitchen. Heartstone Mountain Ranch is located in Santa Cruz County, just 70 miles southeast of Tucson, 25 miles from Sierra Vista, and 20 miles from Sonoita. Don't forget to tell them we sent you!
COPPER LEVEL
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
www.thelodgeatventanacanyon.com
Against the dramatic backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains, nestled in the foothills of this pristine setting is the perfect vacation destination, the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. With just 50 spacious guest suites located within the gates of a private club, The Lodge offers a unique and intimate vacation experience. Be a member for a day or lifetime.
The Lodge offers every leisure activity you could possibly want. Heading the list of attractions are the two world-renowned Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, which will captivate your imagination as they wend their way through the scenic foothills at the base of the Santa Catalinas. Couple this with a world-class tennis program managed by Peter Burwash International, a spacious swimming facility, fitness center, a spa with room service, and dining facilities with eclectic menus designed to meet every taste.
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a four-diamond golf and tennis resort destination, voted #35 by Conde Nast Travelers Readers Poll of the top 100 golf resorts. Come and visit this Tucson classic.
COPPER LEVEL
Riverpark Inn
www.theriverparkinn.com
350 South Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745
239-2300
The Riverpark Inn is a full service, AAA, 3-diamond hotel in a resort-like setting located within walking distance of the Tucson Convention Center. The hotel is just minutes from some of the best birding in urban Tucson, and Madera Canyon or Patagonia are easy daytrips. The 8-acre property, with 174 rooms (including five suites) on two floors, has everything you need to make your stay in Tucson a luxurious birding experience! Some of our best amenities include: the brand-new Terrace Café and Bar, complimentary full American breakfast each morning of your stay, free internet, Direct TV, microwave/ fridge in each room, outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi, and much more! Pets are also welcome!
SPECIAL RATES FOR BIRDING ENTHUSIASTS AND EXCELLENT BIRDING JUST MINUTES FROM THE RIVERPARK INN!
COPPER LEVEL
Spirit Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast
www.spirittreeinn.com
3 Harshaw Creek Rd
Patagonia , AZ 85624
520-394-0121
Partners Mary Jane Pottebaum and brothers Thomas and Joseph Bartholomeaux offer their guests a wonderful mix of relaxation, fine food, and easy access to some of southeast Arizona's best birding right outside of their door. The Spirit Tree Inn is located on 52 private acres and is just three miles from Patagonia , AZ and closer still to the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. The Patagonia area has a rich history of ranching, mining, and railroading but is now better known as a haven for artists and a place where careful stewardship of the natural surrounding is the rule.
The Spirit Tree Inn offers only 6 guest rooms, 4 in the main house and the others in 2 outlying buildings, so you won't find yourself in this beautifully secluded place only to be crowded by others. You can fill your day with hiking, world-class birding, and quiet relaxation. Or take a day off to visit the growing group of local wineries or tour nearby Bisbee, Tombstone or Mexico. Most unusual, but refreshingly different, guests are welcome to bring and care for their own horses with advance arrangements (or Mary Jane can help you schedule a ride with nearby outfitters) and pets are accepted in the outer buildings based on the temperament of the animal.
There really is a Spirit Tree on property; a huge and fine old Fremont Cottonwood tree dominates the view from the main building. The sight of a cottonwood tree signals the presence of precious water to those who live in the southwest, pointing to an oasis where life could be sustained and spirits refreshed. The Spirit Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast offers that and more to today's modern traveler, we hope to see you there!
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