Cave Creek Canyon

Arizona · Southwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestMountainDesert

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-September

Entrance Fee

$5 day-use fee per vehicle

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains is the premier spot in the US for Mexican mountain species, including the Elegant Trogon and rare vagrants. The dramatic canyon with its towering rhyolite cliffs hosts an incredible diversity of breeding birds from April through September.

Location

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Notable Species

Elegant Trogon Mexican Chickadee Elf Owl Hepatic Tanager Buff-breasted Flycatcher

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/4/2026House of Payne1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

3/4/2026N Bush Hwy, Fort McDowell US-AZ 33.61664, -111.554933 observed

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

3/4/2026Salt River--Blue Point Recreation Area1 observed

Bewick's Wren

Thryomanes bewickii

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands1 observed

Bullock's Oriole

Icterus bullockii

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Anza Trail--Tubac1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge2 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Arthur Pack Regional Park3 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/4/2026Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo US-AZ 31.92990, -112.976881 observed

Townsend's Warbler

Setophaga townsendi

3/4/2026Boyce Thompson Arboretum1 observed

Townsend's Warbler

Setophaga townsendi

3/4/2026Boyce Thompson Arboretum1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Ron Morriss Park1 observed

Scott's Oriole

Icterus parisorum

3/4/2026Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (closed Thursday morning)2 observed

Mallard x Mexican Duck (hybrid)

Anas platyrhynchos x diazi

3/4/2026Walnut Canyon Lakes1 observed

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

3/4/2026Catalina Regional Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Black-throated Sparrow

Las Cienegas NCA--Cottonwood Tanks

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mexican Jay

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Say's Phoebe

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Coot

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

3 birds

Vermilion Flycatcher

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gila Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

2 birds

Orange-crowned Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ruddy Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

2 birds

Verdin

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bewick's Wren

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

7 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Greater Roadrunner

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Abert's Towhee

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ring-necked Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

4 birds

Birding Tips

1
Stay at the research station for immersive birding
2
South Fork is the most reliable area for Elegant Trogon

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Campground

Nearby Attractions

Chiricahua National Monument

More in Arizona

Madera Canyon

Santa Rita Mountains canyon famous for Elegant Trogons and diverse hummingbirds.

Ramsey Canyon Preserve

The Hummingbird Capital of the US with up to 15 species in the Huachuca Mountains.

Saguaro National Park

Iconic Sonoran Desert park with saguaro-nesting specialists and desert bird diversity.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Cave Creek Canyon for birding?▼

The best months to visit Cave Creek Canyon for birding are April-September. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.

What birds can I see at Cave Creek Canyon?▼

Notable species at Cave Creek Canyon include Elegant Trogon, Mexican Chickadee, Elf Owl, Hepatic Tanager, Buff-breasted Flycatcher. The area supports forest, mountain, desert habitats.

How difficult is birding at Cave Creek Canyon?▼

Birding at Cave Creek Canyon is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Cave Creek Canyon?▼

The entrance fee at Cave Creek Canyon is $5 day-use fee per vehicle. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Cave Creek Canyon?▼

Cave Creek Canyon offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Campground.