if you are not familiar with the San Pedro River Riparian Corridor, here is a bit of information. The San Pedro River emerges from just south of Sierra Vista, AZ and flows north for approximately 150 miles where it meets the Gila River. The only river left undammed in the Southwest, it is a major conservation corridor and home to hundreds of species of native and migratory birds and many diverse kinds of wildlife such as beaver and coati. Following are stories of life along this river and the effort to save it. Some of these articles are courtesy of the Friends of the San Pedro River. Please consider joining the conservation effort. If Birdwatching is your interest, please visit our 10 Best Birding Hotspots in Southern Arizona!
You can use the newly renovated and now open again, San Pedro House as a starting point for your adventures, hiking, birding and more. Cottonwoods offer plenty of shade in the summer. You may find docent tours offered from time to time to some of the more interesting spots along the San Pedro, such as the Clanton Ranch, Millville, and the infamous Charleston. These tours are usually free to members.
In addition to birdwatching, there are several places within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, SPRNCA, worth visiting. Fairbank is a ghost town on the San Pedro River about 10 miles west of Tombstone. The Schoolhouse is usually open and a docent from the Friend of the San Pedro will be there to inform and assist you.
The Murray Springs Clovis Site is where Paleo-Indians camped while hunting large mammals. Not far away is a Mammoth-Kill site where these Stone Age people killed and butchered, not only mammoths, but also camels, tapirs, bison, and bears. This they excelled at, despite themselves being hunted by such monsters as Sabre-Tooth Tigers.
Below is a list of other San Pedro River stories that might interest you.
Cottonwoods: The Largest Trees in Arizona
Cottonwoods are the largest trees in Arizona. This video, explaining the cottonwood at length is part of an educational series, by the Friends of the
How the San Pedro River Got Its Name
San Pedro River Videos are important to keeping the history and culture of the Sonoran Desert alive. Mike Foster seeks to preserve the memory of
Colonel William C. Greene: A Death in the Family
William C. Greene was born in Wisconsin in 1852 (or maybe 53). Greene spent his most productive years in Sonora, Mexico. However, we can reasonably
The Return of Beaver to the San Pedro River
In this video, Mike Foster goes in-depth about the beaver’s hopeful return to the San Pedro River. With the return of the monsoon rains, now
Bird Walks: Sierra Vista Environmental Park
The bird walks are not currently being hosted by the Friends of the San Pedro River on Sundays at the Environmental Operations Park in Sierra
Plants of the San Pedro River
I love the San Pedro River and its environment. This is a long but wonderful video describing the plants that currently inhabit this unique place
Coati of the San Pedro River
This video is an excellent portrayal of the elusive Coati and their habitat. Great footage with an environment pitch at the end.
Fall Colors in the Huachucas
Here is a video from Mike Foster’s collection showing off the fall colors of the Huachucas. Trails are open. If you decide to travel to
The Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
For all you bird watchers out there, spotting the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a real treat. This species is threatened in Arizona, endangered in California
Plants of the San Pedro River and the Borderlands
Watch this inspiring video from 2014, describing over 50 desert plants that inhabit the region around the San Pedro River and the borderland hills. Mimi
Arthropods of Southern Arizona
In this video get to know your Southern Arizona Arthropods, aka bugs, with Mike Foster and Carl Olsen of the University of Arizona. Here he
A Video History of the San Pedro River Area
This video describes the importance of San Pedro River and Riparian area and makes a case and plea for conservation.
Exploring the Millville Ruins with the FSPR
Ever since Jim and I have been traveling to and from Tombstone I have been curious about the Millville Ruins, stone structures outside of Tombstone
A Death In Charleston, Arizona Territory
M. Robert Peel Born: Wednesday, May 31, 1854 Died: Saturday, March 25, 1882 (Charleston, Arizona) – gunshot through the heart Interred: Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone, Cochise
A Hike to Charleston Cemetery with the FSPR
On April 1,  I drove out to the San Pedro River for a Members Only hike provided by the docents of the Friends of the San Pedro
A Trip to the Clanton Ranch
On a sunny day in mid-October with Helldorado Days in full swing, Ms. Rosemary and Ms. Karen, headed for the San Pedro River to learn
Our Lady Of The Sierras
There is much to do just a little south and east of Sierra Vista, such as hiking and bird watching along the San Pedro River; visiting ghost towns, such as Fairbank and Clovis sites, such as Murray Springs; and climbing the 600′ to this shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A Hike to the Ghost Town of Charleston Arizona Territory
March 14, 2015 – Having been to many of the more accessible ghost towns, Ms. Rosemary and I (Ms. Karen) decided to hike to the
Fairbank AZ: Ghost Town
Fairbank is a Southern Arizona ghost town, and one of the best preserved, thanks to numerous conservation efforts. It’s located in the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area about 10 miles west of Tombstone. Here conservation efforts have saved the San Pedro River, a haven for dozens of species of critters and birds.
Summer on the San Pedro River
This is a charming video portraying a high school graduate’s summer spent exploring the San Pedro Riparian and Conservation Area. If you don’t know what
