Patagonia is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts as well as those just looking for a cooler, quieter place to get away. Nestled on Sonoita Creek between the Patagonia and the Santa Rita mountains at 4050 feet, elevation Patagonia enjoys pleasantly moderate temperatures, averaging about seven degrees cooler than Tucson and 12-14 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
Patagonia is a gateway community for the Arizona Trail and has local trails for shorter jaunts. It is only a few miles to Patagonia Lake State Park, which offers a variety of recreational options, including boat rentals. The Tucson Audubon Society operates the famous Paton Hummingbird Center, a long-time favorite for birders from all over the world. Just down the road from Paton’s on the edge of town, the Nature Conservancy manages the world-renowned Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.
Patagonia is a year-round destination for active outdoor recreation: camping, boating, fishing, mountain biking and bird-watching are enjoyable and accessible year-round.
A butterfly garden, gazebo, and shaded picnic tables are found in Patagonia’s tree-lined central park, where festivals, concerts, and barbecues punctuate the seasons. Visitors strolling along the main streets find a number of galleries and boutiques catering to shoppers seeking that special artisan-crafted gift. Founded as a mining and ranching center, the town has evolved to become as a haven for artists, artisans, and nature lovers.
If you would like to have an international experience, bring your passport and take an easy afternoon trip to Nogales Sonora, Mexico. Just drive drive18 miles south and walk across the border in Nogales, Arizona.
In Patagonia, RV parks, bed and breakfasts and a local hotel offer lodging in town within an easy walk of restaurants and shops as well as the Arizona Trailhead and the Nature Conservancy preserve. The Patagonia Library welcomes visitors and offers traveler-friendly services, as do our Visitor Center and Museum.
To get here take Interstate I-10 to scenic AZ Route 83 and then right on AZ Route 82 in Sonoita.