Birding Around Las Vegas, Favorite Places Far Away
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Description The Patagonia Roadside Rest Area is an old roadside rest area on Highway 82 adjacent to Sonoita Creek. The paved loop provides off-highway birding in the narrow canyon, but the best birding is across the road at the east end. This place provides easy viewing into dense riparian areas where Rose-throated Becards nest. Sonoita Creek, which is behind a fence, is on private land and closed to public access. Rocky and densely vegetated hillsides above the creek provide habitat for desert species. Many rare and unusual birds have been seen here over the years. Cross the highway carefully. Just up the highway to the east of the Roadside Rest, the historic Tellis Family Shrine is an interesting cultural site. The area is posted as no camping. Link to Maps. |
 Trail outside fence along creek |
Location The Rest Area is 4.2 miles south of Patagonia on the south side of State Highway 82. Hours Always open. Fees None. For More Information Visit the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory's Birding Guide. |
 Highway 82 at Mile Marker 15 (view N) |
 Highway 82 at "Caution -- Watch for Pedestrians" sign (view NE) |
 Highway 82 approaching the Rest Area (view NE) |
 Highway 82 at the Rest Area (view E) |
 Sign near entrance |
 Sad, but apparently true |
 The old highway, now a rest area (view NE) |
 The old highway, now a rest area (view NE) |
 The old highway, now a rest area (view NE) |
 Stairs lead down to a picnic table under the trees (view NW) |
 Information sign (view NW) |
 Rest Area Guide (view NW) |
 Walking up the old highway (view E) |
 East exit from Rest Area (view NE) |
 Birders can cross the road to the end of the guardrail (view N) |
 Trail starts at the end of the guardrail (view N) |
 Overgrown trail during spring (view NE) |
 Overgrown trail outside fenceline during spring (view NE) |
 Please respect private property (view N) |
 Birder's trail outside of fence (view NE) |
 Sonoita Creek is barely visible through the trees (view NW) |
 Trees along Sonoita Creek (view NE) |
 Trees along Sonoita Creek (view SW) |
 Returning to the Rest Area (view S) |
Telles Family Shrine
 Historic marker and shrine in a highway pullout |
 Historic marker: John Ward's Ranch |
 Telles Family Shrine marker |
 Telles Family Shrine |
 Telles Family Shrine exterior |
 Liz at door of Telles Family Shrine |
 Inside Telles Family Shrine |
 Inside Telles Family Shrine |
Happy birding!Happy birding! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240509
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