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The City of Nogales is filled with a variety of indoor and outdoor activites. Below you'll find some recommended places to go and things to do while you're visiting us. Click on a heading in the table of contents to view that section. Table of Contents
Golf Courses There are several World Class Golf Courses in and around Nogales:
Caving Caves are fascinating and human beings have been exploring them, living in them, marveling at them and using them as canvasses and historical chronicles since the beginning of the species. There are two wonderful caves in the Santa Rita Mountains within a few minutes of Nogales. Cave of the Bells The Cave of the Bells is an underground wilderness complete with a warm lake. Though this subterranean gallery of rock – known for its unique and varied suite of minerals and formations – has been thousands of years forming, it is nevertheless extremely fragile. A few moments of thoughtlessness here could cause irreversible damage. For that reason, and because so many similar areas have been damaged by vandalism, the Cave of the Bells is locked and gated. For a small deposit, keys are available at Forest The cave is first mentioned in the accounts of pioneer ranchers and miners who came to the area in the 1870's and 1880's, although we know that Onyx was used by a succession of hunters, explorers and Indians because of various artifacts found in the small shelter cave adjacent to the main cave. The remains of a mill foundation can still be seen at the bottom of Onyx Hill. To get more information, or to obtain a key to Onyx Cave, you must contact the Escabrosa Grotto, Inc. at least two weeks in advance of your visit to allow time to transfer a key and register your reservation. Mail requests to:
Escabrosa Grotto, Inc. ATTN: Conservation Chair PO Box 3634 Tucson, AZ 85722-3634 You can also view more information and submit a key request for Onyx Cave by visiting the Escabrosa Grotto web site. Ghost TownsAlto's post office was established 1907 and discontinued in 1933. The origin of the name Alto, which means "high", is not known. There were few hundred residents of this town and gold was the mainstay. Today there are scattered ruins. Calabasas' post office was established October 8, 1866 and discontinued August 15, 1913. Calabasas was once a Papago Indian village, a Mexican garrison, a U.S. Military base, a mining camp, and a farming community before becoming a railroad stop that was determined to become the gateway to Mexico. The Hotel Santa Rita was supposedly the finest hotel between San Francisco and Denver. Unfortunately, Nogales took over as the gateway to Mexico and Calabasas declined into non-existence. There is no real history of Canelo. This was started as an out of the way community and still is. Post office was established in 1904; discontinued 1924. "Arizona Place Names" describes Canelo as "This is a small country store today." The route to Parker Canyon Lake from Patagonia passes through Canelo. Fort or Camp Crittenden was originally known as Casa Blanca, this town had its origin in the 1860's. There was a rail depot and much mining activity. The only standing building is a two story hotel built in 1885. By 1900, most residents had moved elsewhere as the mines played out. In 1887, an earthquake damaged the hotel and the second story was removed and that is how it stands today. Duquesne's post office was established May 13, 1880 and discontinued February 14, 1920. Washington Camp held the reduction plant for the Duquesne mine and both towns had a peak population of about 1000 residents each. It is rumored that George Westinghouse of the Westinghouse Electric company once lived here in Duquesne. A schoolhouse was located right in between the towns which were only a mile apart. Hank & Yank Springs, according to the forest service sign at this site, is the story of an unsuccessful ranching effort made by two men, "Yank" Bartlet and Hank Hewitt. The ranch was attacked by Indians in 1886 and Yank's son was able to escape to Oro Blanco for help. The help arrived and rid the area of the Indians but not before killing a neighbor and wounding Yank. Harshaw's post office was established April 29,1880 and discontinued March 4, 1903. The Hermosa mine was the mainstay of Harshaw. Located in 1877, the mine was shortly operated by 150 men and a 20 stamp mill. There were boardinghouses, saloons - 30 of them, hotels, corrals, blacksmith shops, stores and more. Today, a few people still live in Harshaw. Kentucky Camp was alive and going in the time of nearby Greaterville, but in 1886, the gold played out. Then, a revival occurred in 1904 when a man by the name of James Stetson had a plan to rework placer deposits in the area. Before his plan was realized, he died and the town never had its comeback. In 1989, the forest service acquired the land and in 1991 started restoration of the site.
Lochiel's post office was established August 23, 1880 and was discontinued September 30, 1911 sequentially under the three names Luttrell, La Noria, and then Lochiel. There were two smelters, three saloons, a butcher, bakery, livery stables, five stores, a boardinghouse, and Pancho Villa. Yes, this was a favorite place for Pancho to cattle rustle and take the stock into Mexico. Lochiel is also the spot where the first European went west of the Rockies, Fray Marcos de Niza on April 12, 1539. Mowry as a mine was undoubtedly worked by the Mexicans prior to the entry of the Americans into what became Arizona; it was "discovered" in 1857, and originally known as the Patagonia mine (for reasons which remain a mystery). In 1860, the mine was purchased by Lt. Sylvester Mowry, a West Point graduate (who had resigned his commission); he named it for himself, and invested heavily in equipment and facilities. However, in 1862, he was arrested and charged with selling lead for ammunition to the Confederacy, and incarcerated in Yuma Prison. Old Glory's post office was established January 15, 1895 and discontinued August 14, 1915. A town of only about fifty residents, Old Glory served many mines on the Arizona-Mexico border around the turn of the century. The town had a justice of the peace, general merchandise store, and more. Today nothing is left of Old Glory except mining remnants. Oro Blanco's post office was established October 2, 1879 and discontinued April 30, 1915. Actually two towns by the same name, the first was located about 10 miles from the second and each town was about five years apart. The first town had two steam mills and many arrastras working day and night. The population was about 225 and they even had a dentist. The richest many in Arizona was reported to have lived here, James A. Robinson. He was worth between $1.2 and $1.8 million yet lived on only $500/ year with his family. He had made his fortune in land, mines, and cattle. Ruby's post office was established April 11, 1912 and was discontinued May 31, 1941. Ruby is one of the best preserved ghost towns in Arizona. It is now undergoing restoration and you can visit the site if you help in the restoration. For each day of work you get a day of play. For forty years Ruby was called Montana Camp and in 1909 was changed to Ruby in honor of one Julius Andrew's wife. Julius Andrews was in charge of the camp store and was the one who applied for the post office. Salero's post office was established August 13, 1884 and was discontinued April 17, 1890. Mexicans first worked the Salero mine in the 18th century. Salero, meaning salt cellar, was acquired by the Salero Mining Company in 1857 who's company headquarters were in Tubac. All of the men who originally founded the company were later killed by Apaches. George Clark later relocated the mine in 1870 and the post office was established 14 years later. Today there are many well preserved buildings left but the whole town site is on private property. Tubac is the oldest European settlement in Arizona. It was the site of Arizona's first newspaper, the Weekly Arizonan. Its first issue was in 1859, and it was because of this newspaper that Arizona had its first recorded duel. Sylvester Mowry (see Mowry ghost town) thought Arizona should be a separate territory and the editor of the paper, Edward Cross, thought otherwise. The two dueled and both missed so instead of killing each other, they toasted each other with drink. Today, the state park museum marks the site. Washington Camp in Santa Cruz County, was once the biggest supply community south of Patagonia for the town's of Duquesne, Mowry and Harshaw. The area was investigated in the beginning of 1860s and were quickly left because there was many Apache attacks in the area. Progress in the area began in the latest 1880s when "Duquesne Mining & Reduction Company of Pittsburgh" surveyed out lots and started mining on the place witch became town of Duquesne. Beside the mine, the town of Duquesne had a company office and about 1000 residents. The World’s Fair Mine, although a significant operation, never had a post office. It is likely that the terrain prevented the establishment of a real settlement (its personnel lived in other nearby townsites).
Hiking & Backpacking Agua Caliente Trail #140 & Very Steep/Vault Mine Trail #77 These two trails provide access to the upper slopes of Mt. Hopkins, the second most prominent peak in the Santa Ritas. The Agua Caliente Trail winds along Hopkins’ north slopes through a cool forest of conifers, oaks and aspens, providing good views of the Multiple Mirror Telescope on the mountain’s summit as well as the upper reaches of Madera Canyon and Mt. Wrightson’s rocky prominence across the canyon. Off in the distance, the Santa Cruz Valley and the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains stretch toward the horizon. Biking Note: All Coronado National Forest roads and trails outside of Wilderness areas -- except where posted "closed" -- are open to mountain bikes. Elephant Head Mountain Bike Route A combination of little-traveled roads and remote trails designed especially for these versatile, muscle-powered vehicles. Winding across the scenic foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains in the shadow of the dramatic landmark for which it was named, the route was designed both to challenge a rider's skill and to provide a scenic, backcountry experience. Southwest Trekking Hiking/Trekking, Mountain Biking, Camping, Trail Running, Rock Climbing, Primitive Skills and more in Southern Arizona and Mexico. Southwest Trekking has experience in taking individuals into the remote areas of Southern Arizona and Mexico, serving more clients than any and all guide services in Southwest. More miles, more smiles, more ascents, more descents. Telephone: (520) 296-9661 CampingBog Springs Campground
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distance from Peña Blanca Lake in a small, grassy, oak-dotted valley at the end of a graveled road. A short walk leads to the lake and the well-used trail that follows its shore line almost all the way around. If you like to fish, you’ll be interested to know that the lake holds bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. During the cool months of the year it is stocked with trout. If you like to birdwatch, this is a good place to do that, too. It offers a number of species of hummingbirds and warblers (in season), in addition to a variety of waterfowl. If picturesque scenery is what you’re after, that’s provided by the bluffs and mountains that surround the lake. Tables at Red Rock are a short walk downhill from the parking area, so be sure you don’t pack in anything you don’t want to pack out. No garbage service is provided. Access: Turn west off Interstate 19 approximately 8 miles north of Nogales at the Peña Blanca/Ruby Road (AZ Hwy 289) exit. Follow this road about 8.5 miles to Forest Road 39D in the Peña Blanca Recreation Area. Turn right (north) on this road and drive a short distance to the picnic are a parking lot. 
Jesse Hendrix Hummingbird Ranch