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San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is a Bureau of Land Management free camping ground that is part of a desert riparian ecosystem. The area covers almost 40 miles of the upper San Pedro River, making it best for hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and picnicking. Visitors can also access interpretive programs to understand the history and culture of the area. The conservation area has three popular sites: Murray Springs Clovis Site, an archaeological site with records of the last 40,000 years; the Spanish Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, an area with information about the northern extension of New Spain; and The San Pedro House, which is 9 miles east of Sierra Vista. A popular area for birdwatching, mountain biking, and hiking. It also has a bookstore and information center.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Fairbank Loop via San Pedro Trail

It is a loop trail near Tombstone, AZ and a popular area for hikers and mountain bikers. There are also horseback riders that visit this trail. Visitors looking to find solitude should hike during the quieter times of the day. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

Length: 3.9 miles

Intensity: Easy

Millville Historic Townsite and Rock Art Discovery Trail

The trail is kid-friendly and offers an opportunity to see wildflowers and wildlife and visit a historic site.

Length: 1.8 miles

Intensity: Easy

San Pedro River Trail: South of San Pedro House

This is a long point-to-point trail beginning near Sierra Vista, AZ, providing visitors with a chance to see wildlife or walk their dogs. Also, it's great for horseback riding or mountain biking.

Length: 10.7 miles

Intensity: Easy

San Pedro River from Fairbank

The San Pedro River from Fairbank is the shortest out-and-back trail near Tombstone, AZ, and it's mostly preferred for walking. Its short distance also makes it a good choice for walking with kids. You may encounter wildflowers and wildlife.

Length: 0.9 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Before fishing in the San Pedro River, you must have a San Pedro fishing license. Prices for this license may vary depending on your residency. The flathead and channel catfish are common fish species caught in this river. Other fish species include the longfin dace, roundtail chub, desert sucker, speckled dace, and Sonora sucker. The Gila chub is considered engendered.

Wildlife Viewing

San Pedro River is home to many animal and bird species. Records show there are 84 mammal species, 41 respite and amphibian species, over 100 bird species, and 250 migratory bird species. The most-viewed mammals include jaguar, beaver, coatimundi, and bats. Reptiles and amphibians are the Sonoran tiger salamander and the Western barking frog. For the birds, the most-viewed species are the imperiled yellow-billed cuckoo, song sparrow, green heron, mourning dove, and the white-crowned sparrow.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed during established seasons, and participants may need a hunting license. Bear can be hunted without a permit during spring. Pronghorn hunting permits are limited due to the low numbers. Other animals to hunt are the mule deer, white-tailed deer, rabbits, tree squirrel, and javelina. There are also quails, ducks, doves, and wild turkeys.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Some reputable Arizona Bureau of Land Management campgrounds offer excellent RV camping services. San Pedro RV resort has 176 campsites that can fit Class A RVs of up to 40 feet. The per night charge is $25 for amenities that include cable TV, Wi-Fi, hot tub, flush restrooms, showers, trash bins, and full hookups.

SKP Saguaro Co-Op is an RV park at a 3641 elevation in Benson with 369 campsites. The nightly charge is $11, and the longest RV allowed is a 35 feet Class A. It has a gravel pad and offers water and sewer hookups, Wi-Fi, cable tv, showers, laundry, trash collections, and flush restrooms. Visitors can bring a maximum of three pets.

Less than 10 miles from SKP Saguaro Co-Op, is the Butterfield RV Resort & Observatory. Located at a 3641 elevation, it has 173 campsites with the maximum RV length being 45 feet for a fifth wheel. Campers will access cable TV, free Wi-Fi, full hookups, flush restrooms, propane, laundry, showers, trash, and a gym.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is allowed at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. There are no onsite amenities, but campers can settle for nearby options. Riverview Campground and Blackjack Campground are on semi-developed BLM lands where you may camp for free, and they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and recommendations on public land camping are available on the BLM camping near me map and guide.

RV Rentals Near San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area BLM trip

Get the correct permits in advance if you plan to fish or hunt in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. Also, there are fish and animals considered endangered. Try to familiarize yourself with such species to avoid hunting or fishing them unknowingly. The Nature Conservancy website provides more information about these endangered species. For example, the Gila chub fish species are under the federal listing of endangered species as per the website.

Bring some amenities depending on the campground where you choose to park your RV. Common supplies include sunscreen, soap, gloves, shampoo, laundry detergent, a laundry hamper, boots, a rain suit, and swimsuits. If possible, you may bring extra towels and blankets. Our blog has more information more information about BLM camping, check it out before leaving.

Leave No Trace

Anyone visiting San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, or any other areas managed by the BLM in Arizona, must familiarize themselves with Arizona BLM camping rules. The rules require campers to clean up after themselves when camping and before leaving a campsite. Keeping a campsite clean will help maintain the natural value of the area. Also, some plants and animals inhabit these areas, and destructive camping could deprive them of their food or water sources. If you help protect these lands by following the camping policies, you get to protect the future of the wildlife and vegetation.

San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Location

To get to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, drive 6 miles east of Sierra Vista, AZ. You will get to Tucson, where interstate 10 east should lead you to Arizona Route 90, which is within 40 miles. Follow this highway to get to Huachuca City and then to Fry Boulevard. Another 6 miles east will get you to the San Pedro House.

Address: 4070 S Avenida Saracino, Hereford, AZ 85615, United States

Ready to visit San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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