Things to do in Sierra Vista

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Sierra Vista

Things to Do in Sierra Vista

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Top Attractions in Sierra Vista

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • FancyFree55
    Florida7,639 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our experience at San Pedro Riparian NCA is completely different than anything I've read on TripAdvisor. We were driving from the Coronado National Memorial to Tombstone when Hubby slammed on the brakes near Charleston after we spotted a rickety one-lane bridge hiding behind overgrowth. The bridge was long since closed to vehicle traffic, but there was a gravel parking lot adjacent to it and people were roaming around, so we stopped to check it out.

    Turns out that this area of the 57,000-acre SPRNCA is the site of the 1846 Battle of the Bulls, a comical event that occurred when the Mormon Battalion was returning from the Mexican border north along the San Pedro River and was charged by a group of wild bulls, which turned into the battalion's only major battle. I was amused first but then intrigued because, after two days of traipsing around southern Arizona, this was the first evidence I've seen that water exists. The San Pedro was dried up in December to merely a 4-foot-wide trickle - but living water nonetheless.

    I was fascinated to learn that SPRNCA is also the site of fossils and a plethora of artifacts with archaeological/historical significance. Digging or searching for them is banned. We didn't have time to hike, but this spot was worth the pitstop.
    Written 26 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • baltzo35
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quiet and not populated. Good parking and trails. Drive in and out can reveal grassland birds. Bring water. Can be warm in summer because there is not a lot of shade on the trails.
    Written 26 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert B
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an amazing part of prehistoric history, seeing the paintings that were created over 700 years ago. Beautiful spot for the inhabitants to live protected from animals and other advisories.
    As of October 13th 2022, The road was closed just before the McClure Canyon road, due to heavy flooding washing out the road. we parked at 31.472619, -110.354462, a parking area just off the road, near the closed gate.
    It is a relatively easy 2 mile hike on the rough road uphill to the first site, the 2nd site is just a 3 min walk up the road around the next bend. Several waterfalls and beautiful creek side areas to rest and soak in the beauty. took us one hour up, 40 min at the sites and 40 min back. the travel time includes stops to admire the beauty.
    We saw Turkey and Deer along with lots of birds along the hike.
    There is a wooden bridge at both locations and a short easy climb up on railroad ties, well placed rocks and other steps to the pictographs.
    An Eagle Scout has built a deck with bench seats to rest and enjoy the art at the first site. Both sites are protected with a chain link fence to prevent more graffiti from being added to the site. The second site has most of the graffiti damage. Google maps is inaccurate, you need to go through Ft. Huachuca to drive up Garden Canyon Road which starts at the Range Control building off of Winrow ave. If you are not military, you need a visitors pass obtained at the Fort Huachuca Visitor's Center.
    Written 13 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FancyFree55
    Florida7,639 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an amazing experience our Christmas drive became when we entered the Coronado National Memorial. The road is paved for the first five miles to the Visitor Center (which was closed on Christmas Day). There is no admission fee. As soon as you enter the property, a sign advises you to "be aware of your surroundings at all times" because smuggling and/or illegal entry is common in the area due to the close proximity to the Mexico border. Duly noted. We gaped at the gorgeous scenery as we meandered along the nearly vacant roadway.

    Despite its holiday closure, we stopped at the Visitor Center and discovered a small trail adjacent to the building where local flora is planted and identified. I was intrigued with the Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog cactus, which did remind me of a hedgehog. Outside the center, numerous plaques and signs inform visitors about the area climate, water in the desert, diversity of life in the Sonoran Desert, how an international border affects local animal species, etc. You'll also find info about the five hiking trails available inside the park. We spent quite a bit of time reading here before driving further inside.

    After the 6th mile, the paved road ends and you'll drive two more miles up a steep gravel road which is, in places, very narrow. There are no guard rails to separate vehicles from drop-offs next to the road that lead straight down. Fortunately we passed very few cars on the holiday because a lot of traffic here would be difficult to manage. There are occasional pullouts at curves in the road to make room for two vehicles passing.

    The vistas are magnificent during the entire drive. We stopped repeatedly to take photos of the landscapes and the fascinating cacti species that grow here. At the end of the gravel road is a paved parking lot with a picnic area and a public outhouse. Again there is a lot of signage describing what you're seeing from here (much of which is Mexico) and also going into great detail about the Juan Vazquez de Coronado 1540-42 expedition in northern Mexico and the southern US territories in search of Seven Cities of Gold - especially interesting if you're into American history. Another sign warns you to be on the lookout for snakes. And yet another sign advises you not to touch or feed wild animals due to possible rabies infection.

    From the picnic area, if you want to reach Montezuma Pass at the top of the mountain, you'll walk 4/10 of a mile up a hiking trail. In some areas there are stepping stones, and other parts of the trail are dirt and/or loose gravel. The walk is well worth it for the 360-degree views. Wear good hiking shoes, and bring a bottle of water. Elevation is 6575 feet here, so feeling short of breath isn't uncommon.

    We spent about three hours total exploring this gorgeous segment of Arizona.

    Written 29 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LARick2016
    Los Angeles, CA9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Extensive information available about local area & all Az. Well organized. Part of community center so many amenities available, even free popcorn. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. So worth the stop.
    Written 30 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trish
    Stuttgart, Germany119 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always a Peaceful, filled with beauty. You can go as high as you want, there are many layers to Carr Canyon. We drove half way and hiked the rest.
    Written 8 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • bigjohnof406
    Byron MN17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We drove to Brown's Canyon Ranch intending to take one of the easy trails that starts there. We paid the $8 daily fee to park and then decided to take the Brown's Canyon Trail. It has some interesting remains of early 1900s settlers along the trail. The trail can be rough in spots and goes uphill quite steep at times. We looped back at the water tank and expected to get back into the area of the ranch. Should have had a map. The trail took us to within a mile of Ramsey Canyon Inn. Had to walk over a mile back to the ranch for the car. Our three mile walk turned out to be more than three hours and six miles, but it was a good workout.
    Written 15 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FancyFree55
    Florida7,639 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arriving in Sierra Vista, we passed the memorial entrance en route to our hotel and made a note to return before leaving. I was pleased that the cemetery was open on Christmas, except for the visitor center. (The restrooms are always open, even on days that the center is closed.)

    The Huachuca Mountains are a serene backdrop for the final resting place of so many heroes. The layout was very well planned, and the white gravestones are a stark contrast to the brown landscape. On Christmas Day, every grave in one section of the cemetery was adorned with a green wreath tied with a red bow.

    The columbaria walls are constructed in complimenting arcs, and the memorial markers that line them from top to bottom are personalized with loving sentiments and religious affiliations. Judging by the flowers piled up along the base of the walls, many people come here to pay their respects. The cemetery offers a digital grave locator for first-time visitors who want to find a specific marker.

    The Carillon Bell Tower is interesting in that it's operated solely via a state-of-the-art computer program. We learned that it's 40 feet tall, weighs 5,000 pounds, and that it can play up to nine tunes in sequence.

    As an out-of-state visitor, I was intrigued with the varieties of cactus planted in the garden areas and was very fortunate to find so many varieties blooming during our visit. Just magnificent.

    The section of the cemetery I found of special interest was the Civil War veterans memorial, which is home to the graves of 19 confederate soldiers, most of whom served at Fort Dowell. This section also houses the graves of 70 soldiers (mostly unknown) who were reburied here after being moved from an abandoned cemetery in Tucson.

    We probably spent an hour here absorbing the significance of this memorial. It was well worth our time.
    Written 25 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sarahv70
    Hemel Hempstead, UK713 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful place to watch hummingbirds. We sat at the main viewing place for an hour. At any time there were 30-50 hummingbirds, at least 4 species!

    To help with directions, you drive to the end of the canyon road (dirt) park in the parking spaces, then walk up past the sign that says private property. There is a small area where there are a few birds by a gazebo. Carry on past along the fence, there is another gate. Put your $5 in the box, go through the gate walk up the path, over the bridge on your left then up the the covered seating area.

    If you see the dogs, don't panic they're friendly!

    It's not a hard walk up but might be tricky if you have a physical disability. Certainly no good for wheelchairs.
    Written 13 August 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robby G C
    Toronto, Canada78,235 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Everybody were smiling. I like that!

    We bought some fruit and vegetables.

    We bought ironwood carvings.

    There was fudge also. Wow!

    Clothing, toffee and way more.

    There was music.

    I liked that!

    There were a lot of cars.
    Written 29 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adam S
    Atlanta, GA71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The river is dried up when it is not Monsoon season (which is only a month-long), but it was a nice hike/walking trail.
    Written 13 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jeff Hxtr
    Bisbee, AZ3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had not been to a library in a long time but needed to get on WiFi to do something and figured, why not the Library. This is a nice library. They have it laid out real nice. Plenty of room to move around and I was suspired by how many people were there.

    So I get a library card which I was not planning on. BTW what happened to Card Files? Just asking.. yea it has been that long. I use the computer system to look up some books,. found one and located it pretty easy and checked out. Still miss the Card File days. :(

    Just outside the Library in the Lobby is a little deli. I looked over the menu and ordered a Meatloaf Sandwich with Potato Salad. I have to say it was fantastic! I went back to tell the cook it was the best meatloaf sandwich I had in a very long time if not better. She was happy I liked it.

    Well worth giving it a try and a great library.
    Written 14 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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