This Quiet Arizona City Is Hiding In Plain Sight
It is rare for a town’s name to be quite so literal, but for Sierra Vista, the translation “Mountain View” is an exact description. This small town, located in southeast Arizona, is surrounded by the Huachuca Mountains and teeming with wildlife. The geography here extends below the surface, too. Along with the many canyons that cut through the mountains, a massive cavern was discovered nearby just a few decades ago. And the Western history is just as incredible! Get ready to discover what makes Sierra Vista such an underrated destination.
Canyons And Caves
Venture a bit beyond Sierra Vista’s borders, and you will quickly reach some incredible geological formations. The first site you should have on your radar is the Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Thanks to its spring-fed stream, high canyon walls, and northeast orientation, the preserve is somewhat of an oasis compared to the surrounding Southwest desert, filled with wildlife species like the elegant trogon, the berylline and violet-crowned hummingbird, and the lesser long-nosed bat. Maples, sycamores, and columbines can all be found growing along the creek’s bank as well. March through November are among the best times to visit, when the preserve offers guided walks. Each guided walk meanders along a shaded path, explaining the canyon’s natural and cultural history.
25 minutes north of Sierra Vista, visitors will also reach Kartchner Caverns State Park. The caverns in this park were actually not discovered until the 1970s and did not become public knowledge until the 1980s, when they became an Arizona State Park. The cave is home to a remarkable variety of formations, including one of the world's longest soda straw stalactites, the largest and tallest column in Arizona, and many other rare formations. Several tour options are available, including a big room tour, a helmet and headlamp tour, and the Rotunda/Throne Tour that takes travelers along the cave discoverers’ original path.
A Birdwatcher's Paradise
With 15 species of hummingbirds traveling through Sierra Vista each year, the town is a wonderful place to birdwatch. In addition to the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, there are several other canyons you can visit to spot birds and wildlife. The first is Ash Canyon, which is about 20 minutes south of Sierra Vista, home to one of the rarest hummingbird species: the Plain-capped starthroat. Carr Canyon is another favorite, known for its birds, butterflies, and other wildlife you might spot.
Make sure to check out the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area as well. This area’s 40 miles of riparian vegetation support an incredible density of wildlife. In fact, over half of all breeding bird species in the country have been spotted here! Kingfishers, Vermilion Flycatchers, Bell’s Vireo, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and nesting grey hawks are just a few of the bird species you might be able to see, depending on the time of year.
Western History
Sierra Vista is a place where you might find yourself wandering a historic 20th-century ranch one afternoon and tracing the footsteps of Spanish conquistadores the next. The town's Brown Canyon Ranch is an absolute must-visit for Western history lovers, built a century ago by a pioneer family. The most famous building on the ranch is the four-room adobe ranch house, located at the mouth of the canyon, which visitors can tour during their visit.
A half hour south of Sierra Vista, right near the border with Mexico, travelers can also plan an excursion to the Coronado National Memorial. Commemorating the expedition of conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his crew, this 4,750-acre park also provides access to the famed Arizona Trail.
Vineyards And Breweries
You might be surprised to know it, but Sierra Vista is actually surrounded by vineyards. About 25 minutes northwest of town, you will reach a road with a stretch of vineyards, perfect for some winery hopping. The first is Los Milics Vineyards, which has a tasting room open year-round, looking out at the Mustang Mountains. Reds, whites, and roses are all on the menu here. Rune Wines is just a couple of minutes down the road from Los Milics and is the only off-grid, solar-powered tasting room in the state. The tasting room’s wine menu rotates, but you can count on five or six different wines being on the menu to try. If you prefer a nice cold beer, stay within Sierra Vista and stop by Tombstone Brewing West End, a brewery with 16 craft beers on tap and scratch-made dishes to complement your drink.
A Town Unlike Any Other In Arizona
While you won’t have a hard time finding somewhere interesting to visit in Arizona, Sierra Vista offers a combination of activities unlike anywhere else in the state. In addition to its caverns, canyons, and wildlife areas, the town is surrounded by vineyards, making it part of a wine country that you might not have expected. And don’t forget about all of its historical sites and landmarks to round out your trip! Who knows what other gems you might discover?
