Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Ramsey Canyon is truly a diamond in the rough for the Sierra Vista area! We arrived over a holiday weekend and were cheerfully met by Joe Lynn, one of the guides for the preserve. He was by far one of the most passionate, knowledgeable, and feel good guides I have ever spoken with. He's knowledge was impressive, but he presented it in such a way that drew you in to the canyon's rich history. It was truly remarkable. My family made the hike almost to the top before the park closed, but the trails can be called more of a brisk walking trail rather than a hike. There are activity pages for the kids to complete where they try to track down a list of items while on the trail and they get a prize when they return. This will be a spot we visit each time we visit family in Sierra Vista!

Small parking but I had no problem. Nice shady trail to hike. Good informational stops. Trail maintained ok.

The Ramsey Canyon Preserve is part of The Nature Conservancy. Both listings here in Yelp are the same thing. The Preserve was once an active mining area. The old mining road is now the main trail, and the shacks are now historical relics.It's a lovely place for birders, photographers, and nature-loving families with children. Strollers and wheel chairs can manage the main trail, but no dogs are allowed.One can see birds, deer, javelina, coatamundi, squirrels and turkey in the preserve. Sometimes a black bear is sighted, at which the preserve is closed for the safety of humans. I find the fall months the most beautiful, when the trees change colors, and sunlight adds contrast to the scene.The main trail starts at the Nature Center, which one must enter to start any hike. There are restrooms here, a small lecture hall, and informative volunteers who also run a small gift shop.The best time to come is when the place opens, as birds like to feed right after dawn. There is plenty of shade here for the hummingbirds that flit by all day long. Benches are set up around the feeders and along the trails. Don't talk near the birders, as they want silence!The main trail leads to the trail head to the Hamburg trail, which one can access from a side trail that goes to the overlook and deeper into this lush canyon. Note that the overlook is not on Preserve land, but in the Coronado National Forest. I personally prefer the National Forest over the Preserve. for its more secluded trail. There is lots of history in this canyon that one can read about in the nature center.The parking lot is small and gets locked after closing, so plan your hikes accordingly. Operating hours are longer in the summer months than in the winter months, so check the website for times. The pass is valid all week long.

Arizona has a lot of hidden gems, one of which is the Ramsey Canyon Preserve in Sierra Vista. You would never know you're in Arizona while visiting this place. The cost is only $8 per person, and your ticket actually lasts for a whole week. You can come back as many times as you like during the week. It has a great walking trail with beautiful trees and a stream running through. Lots of birds and other wildlife may be seen as well. There's some old homesteads on the trail and then a hike up to an overlook area. The hike was more than I bargained for and we only got about half way up. Not to mention the hike back down is steep. If you're not careful you can easily trip and fall. Otherwise we had a lovely time. The weather is a bit cooler since it's up in elevation so it's great to go during the hotter days. I think we will absolutely be back again!

Such a beautiful place! Nature all around; black chin hummingbirds, rare bird's only seen in this mountain range, turkey, deer, leopard frogs, and much more. Wonderful creek, shade trees, gentle and more strenuous hikes, something for everyone.

There is limited parking spots and they charge $8 per person for the preservation work at the Nature Conservancy. I made it worth it by arriving early to to get into one of their 9am guided tours. The tours are Monday, Thurs, and Saturday and last about 2.5 hours but you really only walk like half a mile up and then back. Bring some binoculars if your a bird watcher ...They are really big on birds---and mostly hummingbirds here. The canyon exists in a rare ecological location between 4 zones of different wildlife which often visit the canyon for water and/or migration patterns. Butterflys also are big here with the milkweed, but only certain periods of the year... and I missed it. The trail is mostly shady with some historic houses which you will learn about if you go with the guide.

This is a wonderful place to visit if you want to see wildlife, especially birds. Stop at the gift shop, talk to the ladies there to get the information of the day, pay $5 and you're all set. The Nature Conservancy has done an amazing job of preserving this area for all to enjoy. If you are nearby take the short drive up into the canyon. You have to go back a short drive just past the Inn. During the busy season go early as they only have 23 spaces to park.

Wow. I'm so glad I found this place. It makes me forget I'm living in the desert. I love history and this place has that as well. Settlers came here to make a life for themselves. I can see why they choose it, for the peacefulness of it. This will be my first season when the hummingbirds come and I am looking forward to that. I bought a season pass. This is my new go to place.

This was a great hike. Mid May, the weather was warm but not terrible since there was a constant breeze. At the end of the trail we went on there was a water trough that the dogs jumped right into. The hike wasn't extremely difficult, but there were some parts but moderate for the most part.

Don't miss this beautiful preserve if you visit this area. We visited in November and the Fall colors were spectacular. The first half mile is relatively flat and beautiful, perfect for my elderly mother. The second half mile to the overlook is steep with switchbacks (mom waited below), but provides gorgeous views. There are also nine benches along the way to stop and catch your breath if needed.