Canyon News
This hub serves as the official record for recent trail updates, wildlife sightings, and organizational announcements in Madera Canyon.
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.
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.
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
July Chatter Released
July, 2026
The monthly update on the happenings in the Canyon was released to and emailed out.
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
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.
News Release from the Forest Service
June 25
Fireworks, exploding targets, and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on National Forests in Arizona year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Regulations are enforced, and violations are punishable as a Class B Misdemeanor with a fine of no more than $5,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both.
Before going hiking or camping, always check the Coronado National Forest website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/alerts, for fire restrictions or area closures.
Photo from: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_series/rmrs/rp/rmrs_rp108.pdf
Biological Restrictions in Madera Canyon
May 25 – Sept 30
Critical Habitat for the federally threatened species: Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Required Actions for Volunteers:
- Stop use of leaf blowers and weedwackers in or near suitable foraging and breeding habitat through September 30
- Minimize all excessive noise and construction-related activities that could disrupt the quiet environment these birds require for successful rearing of offspring
- Report sightings: If you see a cuckoo (look for the long tail with white spots and a yellow bill), please maintain a respectful distance to avoid causing stress to the bird
Photo from Tucson Bird Alliance: https://tucsonbirds.org/bird_profile/yellow-billed-cuckoo/
FINAL UPDATE for the Big Casa Fire from U.S. Forest Service
June 19, 2026, 6:30pm
Coronado National Forest: Containment: 70%
Resources made significant progress on the Big Casa Fire near Mount Wrightson while working to secure containment lines. Crews were able to begin mop up operations during today’s shift and will remain on the mountain throughout the night in monitoring status with the plan to begin to reduce personnel and resources tomorrow if containment continues to increase.
Law enforcement is in place in Gardner Canyon for traffic control and the area is closed to recreationists.
U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest Update 9:40 AM
June 19, 2026
The Type 4 Nogales Organization team with the Coronado National Forest is managing the Big Casa Fire near Mount Wrightson. Crews remained in place overnight working to secure the perimeter and will be assisted by Type 1 and Type 3 helicopters. Today, helicopters will shuttle personnel and equipment, as well as perform bucket drops.
Law enforcement is in place in Gardner Canyon for traffic control and the area is closed to recreationists.
Type 1 Helicopter https://www.nifc.gov/resources/aircraft/helicopters
Update from the U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest:
June 18, 2026, 4:50pm
Cause: Under Investigation
Closures: Gardner Trail #143
The Big Casa Fire (Santa Rita Mts) is estimated to be between 3-5 acres at this time. Approximately 40 personnel are assigned with one rappelling crew as well as three air tankers and two helicopters,
At this time the public is encouraged to avoid any recreational activities in this area due to the potential hazards, as well as increased fire personnel and vehicles accessing the area.
Big Casa Fire in the Santa Rita Mountains
June 18, 2026
This is a developing incident near the top of Mount Wrightson in the Santa Rita Mountains. Ground support and air resources are enroute to respond with direct extinguishment tactics for this full suppression fire. The fire is visible from Highway 83 and the surrounding area.
U.S. Forest Service - Coronado National Forest:
June 17, 2026
Negative human and bear encounters have increased on Mount Graham and in the Santa Rita Mountains. Help keep black bears an uncommon sight in southeastern Arizona by doing your part to stay bear aware. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.
Volunteer Elder Tonks cleaning up at Wrightson Picnic Area
June 15, 2026
Report from FoMC Cleanup Crew: All was well in the Canyon this morning. We did spot the bear going toward the (Santa Rita) Lodge from the Amphitheater area. We also found a large pipe at picnic site #3 at Wrightson Picnic Area. The pipe is now in front of the garbage can by the Bud Gode washroom (picnic site #1). The water spigot at Whitehouse Picnic Area will not turn off completely…. slow drip, and the previously found rebar is still in front of the garbage area. Reported by Jean Martin
Black Bear seen at Santa Rita Lodge June 12, photo by Charles Gilliam
June 12, 2026
Black bear at Madera Canyon - photo by Charles Gilliam
June 12, 2026
A “blonde” Black Bear has been hanging around in lower Madera Canyon and spending some time raiding the bird feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge. Stay alert & be bear aware if you are visiting the MC Recreation Area- bears are out looking for food & water!
A message from the FoMC Ed Program:
June 11, 2026
Due to June heat/dry/fire concerns, outdoor Madera Canyon activities for FoMC Ed Program are on hiatus for safety, primarily for heat-related illness prevention!
With the coming of the summer monsoon season, activities will restart as outdoor conditions moderate and lower day-time temperatures occur.
Watch for Bug Night & nature walks to be scheduled.
Local hikes offer great ways to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, a fee-free day.
June 13, 2026
National Get Outdoors Day is a fee-free day and falls on Saturday, June 13, 2026. It is part of National Great Outdoors Month (June) and is widely celebrated by the U.S. Forest Service on national forests and public lands. Find hikes in Madera Canyon
Memory Wall at Madera Canyon
June 10, 2026
New application forms for the Memory Wall are now available on the Memory Wall webpage
Volunteers with Friends of Madera Canyon, Wild Arizona, and the US Forest Service
June 6, 2026
Volunteers celebrated National Trails Day on June 6 by doing trail maintenance on the Old Baldy trail at Madera Canyon. They cleared drains and rebuilt berms to help prevent trail erosion from the monsoon seasonal rains.
June Chatter Released
June, 2026
The monthly update on the happenings in the Canyon was released to and emailed out.
Nature Walk Led by Doug Moore
May 21
Doug Moore and Bob Pitcher led a nature walk on the Carrie Nation Trail Thursday morning. We saw or heard at least 22 different types of birds, 8 types of butterflies, squirrels and deer. Also Columbine and Monkey flower in bloom along with verbena and fleabane. For the detailed list of what we saw and heard go to: https://friendsofmaderacanyon.org/nature/
Schistidium arizonense sp. nov. (Grimmiaceae)
May 20
A new species of moss from the arid southwest; an addition to the biodiversity of Madera Canyon. https://trogon.page/2026/05/20/a-new-species-of-moss-from-the-arid-southwest-an-addition-to-the-biodiversity-of-madera-canyon/
Hooded Warbler, photo by Evan Lipton from "All about Birds"
May 17
A male Hooded Warbler was observed and heard singing on the Carrie Nation Trail. It breeds no closer than central TX, but is seen in this general area about once a year.
Prothonotary Warbler, photo by Ryan Sanderson, Macaulay Library
May 17
A Prothonotary Warbler was seen higher up on the Carrie Nation Trail. It lives in swamps in the eastern US, but is sometimes seen in AZ.
Information reported by Bob Pitcher.
Elegant trogon in Arizona's Madera Canyon. Photo by Pete Gregoire
May 17
The Summer 2026 issue of AAA’s VIA magazine features an article about Madera Canyon https://mwg.aaa.com/via/national-parks/best-places-bird-watching-west Scroll down to see the article.
Mike Martin Memorial Creekside Bench
May 16
The first six Bench dedications are posted on the FoMC website for general viewing. Go to Donors and drop down to Dedicated Benches.
Prescott Engine 633 Fire Crew
May 15
US Forest Service crews have been working in Madera Canyon as part of a vegetation maintenance project. 6 x 6 piles of cut vegetation must cure for 1-2 years before being burned when conditions are favorable under supervision of fire crews who follow strict safety protocols. For more information go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/projects/archive/64846
FoMC 40th Anniversary Planning Retreat
May 15
The Friends of Madera Canyon May board meeting took place at the Santa Rita Lodge yurt for their 40th Anniversary Planning Retreat lead by Executive Director Kristin Wisneski-Blum.
2026 Scholarship Winner Xavier Limon
May 13
Walden Grove High School graduate, Xavier Limon is the 2026 recipient of the $5,000 Bud and Mary Gode Scholarship awarded by the Friends. He will continue his studies at the University of Arizona in the fall. See more about the Bud and Mary Gode Scholarship here.
Male and Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, photo by Kirk Hatzmann
May 12
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are rare in AZ; a female has been seen coming to the feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge along with the common Black-headed Grosbeaks.
Berylline Hummingbird
May 12
Berylline hummingbird seen at the Santa Rita Lodge this week. Beryllines are Mexican birds, rare here, but there’s been one in the mid-Canyon each of the last several years, staying all summer.
Mother's Day at the Canyon
May 10
Mother’s day at Madera Canyon had a moderate number of visitors, and even though it was a very hot day it was shady and still some water running in Madera Creek.
Field Trip from Walden Grove High School
May 9
Walden Grove HS AP Environmental Science field trip to Madera Canyon. Fantastic, curious, fun group of students!
May 3-9
Potable water repair is still underway throughout Madera Canyon. The USFS discovered several leaks in the lines. This has resulted in the system being shut down intermittently, sometimes for prolonged periods. Until work is completed it is advised that you bring your own water.
The Pass Fee machine is working again at the Proctor parking lot. Passes can be purchased electronically with a credit card there and at the upper parking area or via traditional cash pay envelopes at all areas.
We welcome three new seasonal USFS employees that will be active in Madera Canyon to assist visitors and brush trails. They are Brittani Elm, Arthur Moran and Ethan Dudden.
The USFS fire crews have been clearing brush near the road to help mitigate fire risks. Give them a thumbs up, OK or a personal thanks as you drive by.
Trail Maintenance
FoMC Trail Maintenance Crew did tread work for erosion control and accessibility on the Lower Nature Trail south of Whitehouse Picnic Area.
Birds in the Canyon
MLK Day in the Canyon
January 19, 2026
39 volunteers from Green Valley and Sahuarita HS came for a massive cleanup effort
FoMC Scholarship
January 5, 2026
FOMC Scholarship application is now available to high school seniors