garden canyon

You need to do some homework before going. It is not a place that caters to tourist trade, even though you may be able to access it. Other than some restrooms and picnic areas, it is undeveloped. You may pass active small arms firing ranges on your drive up. Don't go hiking across them...Each season has different critters, birds or plants to see. There are a couple of petrograph sites that date back to around 1100 a.d., over a hundred species of butterflies and lots of birds. There are also 4 kinds of skunk, 2 types of deer, coatimundi, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, etc.. Birds for people's life list are above the upper picnic area. Some require a fair hike. Others, like the hummers, may only be present during the migrations. Mid-day in summer, don't expect to see many critters. Flashflooding during the monsoon can be deadly or strand your car between water crossings. Have food and water in your vehicle. Don't try to cross flooding creeks. You may not have cell service. The road may be washed out. Repair funds aren't always available because it's usually from the same pot of money that takes care of training facilities and this road is not a high priority above the picnic areas. The upper picnic area is about 6000 feet above sea level. The place to see spotted owls is close to 7000 feet. Don't expect an easy climb if you just came from sea level. The closest place for snacks and beverages is the Sportsman's Center ( the phone number is 520 533 7085 so you can find out their days and hours, right now they are closed Mon and Tues), part way up the main Garden Canyon Road. It is only opened a few days a week, so bring your own water and beverages.

We started at park area where there is an information bulletin, crossed stream, went straight, right at T, up hill until path merged left and back down. Total mileage was 2.43 with elevation gain of 813 ft, and took a leisure hour to do it. Came back the next day at same park, crossed creek, went left at T, followed electric poles to end, went right and up, then down and around, turned left at gate til it ended, right on gravel road, bringing us to Garden Canyon road, and walked back to park. This day took an hour and a half, total of 4.32 miles,and 732 in elevation gain. We saw lots ofdeer, turkey, flowers, birds and amazing views.

I don't understand most of these reviews - they must be written by spoiled, lazy Americans that don't want to get out of their car and walk. First of all, this area is truly meant for the military and their families but it is currently open to the public - it is not a national or state park, thus the lack of signage. Second, it's meant for walking and hiking, not driving. If you really want to enjoy the canyon and nature, drive to one of the picnic areas, park your car and WALK. An hour walk will take you past the wonderful native american pictographs and up to the top of the mountain, it's not that far and it is truly beautiful. Just before you reach the pictographs there is a side trail into another canyon - great for birding. Past the pictographs there are more side trails. Get out of your cars, take your time, enjoy the beautiful sights. Summer is nice because it's cooler. Fall is wonderful in the canyon, the higher you go in elevation the more beautiful as the leaves change.

A 30 minute drive along range road. This site is located away from the bright city lights and distractions. Constellations are easily visible here at night. Quite beautiful! During the daytime, this scenic area is a dream for young explorers. The area is great for novice hikers too. Small play area for kids with gazebo and picnic tables. Facilities available and well maintained.

This canyon is on Fort Huachaca. There are no signs to direct you there…so, it is hunt, drive, hunt, drive. We asked a woman walker…she didn't know. We drove more..finally, using our nav. system we located it. Gets a bit rough near the top, but our Ford Edge made it just fine. We saw flycatchers, woodpeckers, summer tanagers. We heard the elegant trogan, but could not spot it…very elusive bird. Take water, food, binoculars.

My hubby & I are birders so we rented an SUV since we knew that the Garden Canyon road is not in the best shape. Well worth the extra expense. The views are great and there is a really nice picnic area at the top (end). And the birding is great!

You will defiantly need a off road car. Went back to see the photogliphs, painted on the side of the rocks by ancient Indians. Saw several different birds, hummingbirds, deer, antelope on the way. Just a lot of neat, different scenery than I am use to seeing.

Great hiking under the trees after a hot drive in the desert. Latrine facilities only, so bring your own water and TP. Drive slow past the rifle ranges grenade training sites to watch the soldiers practicing.

Just show your driver's license to the guard, and you have free range on a military base. Visited on a Sunday. Drove by training grounds for all sorts of munitions. Surreal. Drove all the way up Garden Canyon with my Jeep Liberty. Not many birds to watch, but petrogliphs were cool. Very few people in the canyon.

This is a great place to see mountain scenery, and also to see some rare birds. Watch your speed when driving through Ft. Hauchaca, though. They enforce the limits.

My wife & I spent five nights in Sierra Vista with the primary goal being birding sites. On the day we visited Garden Canyon we also did the museums earlier in the day. We were exceedingly disappointed with Garden Canyon and found it to be very unlike the excellent reviews others have posted. When you reach the lower canyon area, a sign will direct you to a visitors' information area which will be a couple of billboard like sign postings with information. The trail map was so faded by the sun that we absolutely couldn't read it. There were no trail brochures available. A baseball field had the appearance of not having been used for years. Several tents were in a back area with nobody around. We could not find trailhead signs. We drove further into the canyon and saw areas for "middle" and "upper" that were just as uninviting and gave the impression of very little use. Deeper in the canyon, the road becomes very rough. Finally, we came to a sign for the Scheelite Canyon Trail. We were the only car. The trail lacked use and was very rough requiring careful stepping and strenuous striding; spent about an hour on the trail and turned back. We were sure we had missed something and kept our eyes open on the way out. We even did a retake on the area when we got back to the lower canyon area and found nothing that would have added to our enjoyment. On the following day, we explained our experience to a volunteer guide at another birding spot and was responded to with a negative head shake without a more tactful explanation. The message was, there are better places. We agree. If you're travelling to the Sierra Vista area for birding, make other places your primary visits before doing Garden Canyon.

A beautiful canyon which Fort Huachuaca maintains. We were surprised as we drove through at the main gate at the polite manners of the guard. He requested only one ID and when my friend the driver said her ID was in her backpack, he said he only needed one. The drive on post is somewhat confusing so keep your speed down. Once on the right road it is a well maintained paved road with several picnic areas. After the last picnic area, the road changes to dirt and is not recommended for cars. We parked and walked which is most of the fun. Beautiful vistas, waterfalls, and several trailheads for the nature enthusiast.

Totally away from the military on a good dirt road we managed inOur sedan. Just need time, a pair of binoculars, and lots of bottledWater at this high altitude. You are over 4500 ft. In elevation.Acorn woodpeckers were close by. Later hummingbirds of manyVarieties. Hawks sat on light posts. The little creek that ran along side the road held many other birds. Good morning outdoors.

My six-year-old grandson has long referred to Garden Canyon as "The Forest Playground". It is an absolutely beautiful, calm, and quiet area for families to visit and explore nature's offerings. There are three picnic/playground areas available for use: Lower, Middle, and Upper Garden Canyon. Each has a personality of its own. Lower is large and good for bigger groups. Middle and Upper are older and more secluded. We usually bring a picnic, and then go hiking or play on the playground equipment. There are creeks nearby all areas to add to the excitement. Birds and other wildlife are often visible, but they do have Bear Activity Warnings certain times of the year. You must take your own trash out and don't bring your dog, but definitely do bring your camera.

Very beautiful place, stream was running, lot of birds and a very nice setting. Dirt road gets a little rough as you get farther in due to the storms, but well work the drive.