Patagonia Lake SP--Birding Trail

Patagonia Lake SP--Birding Trail

Patagonia, Arizona 85624

Patagonia Lake State Park Official Website
Patagonia Lake State Park map

Tips for Birding

Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek Natural Area are a good location for many species of desert scrub and lower canyon habitats plus waterfowl and riparian species. Broad-billed Hummingbirds and Verdins are common around the campground, often visiting feeders put out by campers. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets, Bell’s Vireos, and Lucy’s Warblers are fairly common spring-summer residents in the mesquite thickets that ring the lake. Watch for Zone-tailed Hawks among the Turkey and Black vultures soaring overhead in spring and summer. Rarities include a small breeding population of Black-capped Gnatcatchers, a Nutting’s Flycatcher that spent several months at the park in the winter of 1997-98, Arizona’s third known Northern Jacana seen here for several days in October 1998. A trail following the lake shore through desert scrub, mesquite bosque, and lakeside cattails (watch for Soras and Virginia Rails) will get you away from the recreational boaters and other distractions and into some nice habitat. The park is located off Hwy 82 3.3 miles south of Roadside Rest Area. Admission is $15-$20 per car. For more information, visit the State Park website or call the visitor center at 520-287-2791.

About Patagonia Lake State Park

See all hotspots at Patagonia Lake State Park

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is a hidden treasure. Patagonia Lake State Park was established in 1975 as a state park and is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The campground overlooks a 265-acre constructed lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, and catfish. Trout are stocked every three weeks from October through March. The tracks of the New Mexico-Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. Hikers can stroll along the beautiful creek trail and see a variety of birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.

The park offers a beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables and grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, a marina, and the Lakeside Market. There is a campground, boat-in campsites, restrooms, showers, and a dump station. The Lakeside Market offers boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait, ice, and more.

At two and a half miles long and 250 surface acres, Patagonia Lake State Park is popular for a variety of recreational activities, including bird watching, water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking.

Content from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory website and Patagonia Lake State Park webpage

Last updated March 10, 2024