San Pedro House is a historic ranch house restored by the Friends of the San Pedro River. It serves as a bookstore and gift shop run by volunteers. The area around the house has interpretive signs about native plants, riparian areas, watersheds, aquifers, and wildlife.
San Pedro House is a renowned birding destination. It sits at a hub of trails leading to the San Pedro River and two ponds. The American Bird Conservancy has designated this area as a globally important for bird area.
The house has a parking area for cars and trailer-towing vehicles, trash facilities, double-vault toilet, and picnic tables for public use. The area features trails for hiking, bicycling, equestrian activities, and wildlife viewing. Some natural interests include:
- The Big Cottonwood Tree (west of the house), which is not as old as you might think. Cottonwoods grow very quickly in favorable conditions. This one is estimated to be between 90 and 130 years old, whereas the cottonwood behind the house was planted in 1956.
- Abandoned agricultural fields, once used for growing alfalfa and cattle feed, dominate the landscape. Native vegetation is steadily returning along the Del Valle Trail.
- The riparian forest, one of the rarest forest types, contrasts with the adjacent fields. Cottonwood and willow trees provide habitat for over 350 bird species and other wildlife. These trees and other vegetation promote soil deposition, refilling the incised channel over time.
- Linear pools, which often form along rivers, provide excellent habitat for turtles, frogs and fish. They are created by a wash coming into the river, thick vegetative growth or changes in underground geology. Kingfisher Pond was created years ago when this area was a sand and gravel quarry. The large hole created by the operation eventually filled up with ground and flood water. There are no surface inlets or outlets. Green kingfishers are often spotted here!
The historic San Pedro House was part of the ranching and farming operation along the San Pedro River during the early 1900s until the 1980s.
Hours and Seasons
The San Pedro House is the primary visitor center for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The house is a restored ranch house that now contains a visitor center and nature store operated by the Friends of the San Pedro River. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Here you can get information and brochures along with advice from the staff to help you enjoy your visit.
The best time of year to visit is late October to mid-May.
Features and Services
- Drinking Water: There is drinking water available at the San Pedro House.
- Toilets: There is an accessible double vault toilet.
- Cell Phone and Internet: Cell phone service is generally good at the San Pedro House. Public internet/Wi-Fi is not available.
- Pets: Pets are generally allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times in developed areas, including trailheads, interpretive sites, and locations near the two visitor contact stations. Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go. Please pack out any pet waste.
Safety and Conditions
You are responsible for your own safety. Call 911 to contact local law enforcement, obtain emergency services, or report a fire.
There is no first aid available on-site. The nearest hospital is in Sierra Vista.
The San Pedro River is subject to seasonal flooding, and summer monsoons are common.
The region is a corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. Nevertheless, visitors can safely enjoy the San Pedro National Conservation Area. Please report all suspected illegal activities to the Bureau of Land Management or local law enforcement authorities. Avoid contact with people exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities.