Canyon News

This hub serves as the official record for recent trail updates, wildlife sightings, and organizational announcements in Madera Canyon.

Volunteering with Friends of Madera Canyon

I believe we’re better when we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.

I want to be a good steward of the earth for the sake of the next batch of kids to call this world their home. “

– Michelle A.

https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/volunteer/

Fourth Graders and their families can visit Madera Canyon for free

October 5, 2026

With your 4th-Grade pass you can have a picnic at Madera Canyon, enjoy the pollinator garden and learning kiosks at Proctor, or take an easy hike around the loop at Whitehouse picnic area.

Go to this website to print your pass: https://www.everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

For more information about visiting Madera Canyon Recreation Area visit:

https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/

September Chatter Released

September, 2026

The monthly update on the happenings in the Canyon was released to and emailed out.

Read the Chatter

Female Green Lynx Spider guarding her new egg sac in the under a Cane Cholla joint along the Proctor Trail

New Videos on Respect the Canyon

Respect the Canyon : Picnic (English)

Respect the Canyon: Picnic (Spanish)

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

See What’s New in Education:

A new learning article on Spring Flowers

A New Page on Respect the Canyon

A new Video on Respect the Canyon – Hiking

Big Mydas Fly on an old Tithonia stem, Proctor Loop

August 2, 2026

Save the Date

Looking for Service Hours, or just want to spend your school holiday outdoors? Join us in Madera Canyon. Details will be available mid-December

https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design-4.png

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis, photo by Ryan Sanderson

October 15, 2026

A Gray Catbird was seen and photographed Thursday Oct.15 along Proctor Road to the west of the stream crossing. Catbirds are quite rare in the Canyon.
Robert Pitcher

Yellow Bluestem Grass at Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area

October 7, 2026

Yellow bluestem grass is an invasive, aggressive, rapidly spreading grass now growing in Madera Canyon, especially around the Bog Springs campground. When this grass is trimmed, the seeds are spread further and faster to new areas. For more information, including “Reasons for concern”, click on the link below:

https://azinvasiveplants.arizona.edu/invasive-plant/yellow-bluestem-grass

Sunset with pink clouds over Elephant Head from Proctor

Friends of Madera of the Tread Team

Oct 3, 2026

The Friends of Madera Canyon Tread Team has rolled up their sleeves and has already been hard at work completing the Lower Nature Trail tripping hazard renewal work from the Madera Picnic Area to the paved lower loop.

https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmaderacanyon

Clio Tiger Moth

September 26, 2026

Clio Tiger Moth, Ectypia clio, the “bug of the night” for La Posada Bug Night at Proctor in Madera Canyon, led by Doug Moore who says, “late season, cool temps, & gorgeous moon not great for blacklighting, but we saw some cool stuff & the group of 15 La Posada residents were a lot of fun! Thanks, La Posada!”

September 2026

FoMC is excited to be in the “Community Spotlight” for Shine Forward Southern Arizona! It’s a year-round giving initiative from the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation. For more information click here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A6Gc7pBko/

Arizona Native Plant Society Botany Walk on Nature Trail

Click here to read more

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

Water restored to the Bog Springs Campground in Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District.

Work is progressing on the restoration of water to the remaining spigots in the canyon.

Visitors are asked to please continue to bring all the water they will need during their visit to the canyon throughout the weekend to help ensure the water tanks are not depleted.

Landscape view of the canyon under wide open skies

First day of August in the canyon; monsoon green happening, but need more rain!

August 1, 2026

Green Valley - Sahuarita Volunteer Showcase

November, 2026

Looking for a meaningful way to spend your time outdoors? Come find us at the Green Valley Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse’s annual Volunteer Showcase!

Location:

Green Valley Recreation – West Social Center

1111 S. GVR Dr, Green Valley, AZ 85614

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Music in the Canyon for October 25, 2026 "Women of Country"

October, 2026

All American Girls, A Celebration of Women in Country Music! Three incredible singers join an all-star group of musicians to celebrate some awesome country music in three-part harmony! This is a group that performs at CPAC and Gaslight Theater in Tucson. This is a chance to see them in our very own mountain setting!

https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/music-in-the-canyon-2026/

Every Kid Outdoors program for fourth graders

October 5, 2026

You and your family get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year.

Get and print your fourth-grade passes to our national lands and waters at the website:

https://www.everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

US Forest Service Surveys

September 28, 2026

Starting Oct. 1, 2026, you may encounter contract employees conducting public surveys in developed and dispersed recreation sites. These National Visitor Use Monitoring surveys are a Forest Service program designed to estimate visitation to national forests. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential. For more information click the link to the Forest Service Facebook page.