Canyon News
This hub serves as the official record for recent trail updates, wildlife sightings, and organizational announcements in Madera Canyon.
Female Green Lynx Spider
August 2, 2026
Female Green Lynx Spider guarding her new egg sac in the under a Cane Cholla joint along the Proctor Trail
Spring Flowers on Proctor Trail
August 6, 2026
Big Mydas Fly on an old Tithonia stem, Proctor Loop
August 2, 2026
Potable water temporarily unavailable at Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District
July 27, 2026
Starting this afternoon, Monday, 7/27/2026, there will be no reliable drinking water from the spigots at Madera Canyon as our team works to identify a leak somewhere from the Bog Spring Campground to the forest boundary. Visitors are asked to please bring all the water they will need while visiting the canyon. There is currently no estimate for the repair time.
Madera Canyon Water Update
July 27, 2026
The water in the main holding tank for Madera Canyon Recreation Area continued to drop over the weekend, so there will continue to be no water available at Proctor parking area, the Visitors Information Station, and some cattle drinkers further down the canyon. The Forest Service did not mention next steps but will keep us updated.
Respect the Canyon
July 15, 2026
The Friends of Madera Canyon are pleased to announce a new effort directed toward Respecting the Canyon. See the new web page https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/respect-the-canyon/
With this, the FOMC also introduces Protect Their PeaceTM. It is time to step up our stewardship- not just to protect the land & habitat, but to safeguard the peace of the plants & animals who call it home.
Hiker rescued in Madera Canyon
July 3
Santa Rita Fire District crews rescued a hiker having a medical emergency Friday morning in Madera Canyon. Firefighters were called just before 9 a.m. and hiked about two-thirds of a mile up Bog Spring Trail to reach the hiker. The person was taken off the trail in a Stokes basket. The patient was taken in stable condition to a local hospital for further evaluation. No other information was available.
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail
August 2, 2026
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail foraging in understory near the Proctor Ramada, lower Madera Canyon. Wilting seedlings indicate more rain needed… soon…
Water at Bog Springs Campground
August 5, 2026
Juvenile Western Lyresnake
July 27, 2026
Monsoon humidity stirs Madera Canyon wildlife into activity & creates opportunity to possibly encounter “seldom seen” wildlife- particularly reptiles & amphibians. https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmaderacanyon
Giant Mesquite Bugs - Thasus neocalifornicus
July 20, 2026
Giant mesquite bugs were seen in large masses in a mesquite tree at Proctor parking area on July 20.
Restoration Project along Old Baldy Trail in Madera Canyon
July 15, 2026
A crew of 7 volunteers from Friends of Madera Canyon planted “seed balls” along the first section of the Old Baldy Trail as part of an ongoing restoration project.
Black Bear at Santa Rita Lodge
July 13
Black bear at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon drinking sugar water from hummingbird feeder. Photo by Jackie Smith
Nature Trail and Whitehouse Trail
July 7
The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area has a good video about the Nature Trail in Madera Canyon including information about accessibility. See more on our hiking page, or check it out here: santacruzheritage.org/madera-canyon
August Chatter Released
August, 2026
The monthly update on the happenings in the Canyon was released to and emailed out.
Be Monsoon Aware!
July 27, 2026
Respect the Canyon - Hiking
July 20, 2026
The first in a new series of videos is “Respect the Canyon – Hiking”. This short video has captions in both English and in Spanish. It is the first video the Friends of Madera Canyon has done in Spanish. The videos can be seen on our Respect the Canyon page
Josephine Fire
July 15, 2026
Josephine Fire, near Josephine peak in the Santa Rita Mts. started last night. It is now 100% contained and burned 0.25 acres.
Photo from Coronado National Forest Facebook page