GATEWAY TO PASSAGE 3: Canelo Hills: West and PASSAGE 4: Temporal Gulch
Native Americans, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, miners, and Jesuit priests have all inhabited this land over the past 500 years. Now Patagonia is a tourist destination and naturalist’s playground. Visit in mid-April for Patagonia Trail Day.
ELEVATION 4,055 feet
POPULATION 913
POST OFFICE 100 North Taylor Lane, 85624, 800-275-8777
INTERNET VENUES Patagonia Public Library, 346 Duquesne Avenue, 520-304-2010
Patagonia Market, 292 Naugle Avenue, 520-394-2962
Red Mountain Foods, 347 McKeown Avenue, 520-394-2786
Walking along Harshaw Road (Passage 4) toward the community of Patagonia
Gathering Grounds, 319 McKeown Avenue, 520-394-2009, patagoniasbuzz.com
Mercedes Restaurant, 330 Naugle Avenue, 520-394-2331
Velvet Elvis, 292 Naugle Avenue, 520-394-2102, velvetelvispizza.com
Wild Horse Restaurant, 309 McKeown Avenue, 520-394-2344
Stage Stop Inn, 303 McKeown Avenue, 520-394-2211, stagestophotelpatagonia.com: The Stage Stop Inn stands on the actual site of the Patagonia Stage Stop on the old Butterfield Trail. Relax in the comfy chairs by the fireplace, and grab a bite to eat at the Wild Horse Restaurant. Ask for the AZT discount.
In addition, many unique B&Bs, casitas (small houses), guest ranches, and rooms are available for rent in the Patagonia area. Visit patagoniaaz.com for more information on rates.
Patagonia Area Business Association Visitors Center, 317 McKeown Avenue, 85624, 520-394-9186. On-site are Mariposa Books and More (maripo@theriver.com) and Patagon Bike Rental (520-604-0258, patagonbikerental.com). They accept packages for trail users.
The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia–Sonoita Creek Preserve, 150 Blue Heaven Road, 520-394-2400, tinyurl.com/pscpreserve: The preserve is one of the best-known and most popular destinations for birding in the Southwest. The riparian area along Sonoita Creek contains some of the richest habitat remaining in southern Arizona. More than 300 species migrate, nest, and live in this critical habitat.
Patagonia Lake State Park, 400 Patagonia Lake Road, 520-287-6965: Hiking trails, rental boats, a campground, a day-use area, and picnic ramadas await you in the park, which also offers beach access and regularly scheduled birding tours on foot and by pontoon boat.