A sycamore- and yucca-weaved dome some 5500ft in the sky marks where the Huachuca Mountains meet the Rockies, the Sierra Madres and the Sonoran Desert. This beautiful Nature Conservancy-owned preserve is one of the best hummingbird bagging spots in the USA. Up to 15 species of the little birds flit over the igneous outcrops and a wiry carpeting of trees throughout the year, with especially heavy sightings from April to September.
At lower altitudes an incredible diversity of wildlife stalks through the river canyon that geographically defines this area. You can spot coatis, cougars and javelinas, but perhaps the most famous resident is the critically endangered Ramsey Canyon leopard frog, found nowhere else in the world.
Visitation is limited by the 23 parking spots in the visitor center, which is decked out with hummingbird feeders. A very easy 0.7-mile nature-loop trail leaves from here, as well as guided walks on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 9am, March through October. The reserve is about 11 miles (25 minutes' drive) south of Sierra Vista off Hwy 92. Drive all the way to the very end of Ramsey Canyon Rd, bearing left onto the driveway at the final cul-de-sac.
