Grand Opening Of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area will soon celebrate its Grand Opening on Nov. 3rd, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Arizona State Parks.

The park's festivities will begin on Nov. 2nd, at 5 p.m. with an evening moonlight hike sponsored by the Friends of Sonoita Creek followed by a presentation on Sonoita Creek by Dr. Kenneth Kingsley at the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area visitor center located within Patagonia Lake State Park at 7 p.m.

On Nov. 3rd, a guided bird walk & horseback ride will lead you to Sonoita Creek. Both activities begin at 8 a.m. & will end at 10:30 a.m. The horse ride (bring your own horse) will meet at the Sonoita Creek horse trailer parking lot, while the bird hike meets at the new Sonoita Creek trailhead.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. & will include a speaker & dedication. Afterward, the 50th Anniversary cake will be served.

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, in partnership with Arizona Game & Fish, encompasses nearly 9,000 acres & has been set aside to protect the unique riparian habitat of Sonoita Creek & its watershed. Low impact recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding & wildlife watching will be available along the 20-mile trail system after the Grand Opening Celebration on Nov. 3rd. In addition, the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area visitor center will begin to offer guided bird & natural history hikes, presentations, kids programs & pontoon boat tours after the Grand Opening Event. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is located near Patagonia Lake State Park at 400 Lake Patagonia Road between the towns of Nogales & Patagonia, off Highway 82.

Admission fees will be waived at the Park for the event. Regular fees are $7 per vehicle Labor Day through Memorial Day & $8 per day on weekends & Holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Backcountry camping at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area is $11 per site per night. Permits are required to enter the Natural Area & are available at the Sonoita Creek visitor center located within Patagonia Lake State Park. For more info call (520) 287-2791.

This event is part of Arizona State Parks 50th Anniversary celebration held from Oct. 2006 through Dec. 2007. Special events will be held at each park such as a traditional mariachi festival, 3 civil war battles, plein art shows, an apple festival, geocaching, solar energy celebrations & astronomy galas. Hiking, fishing, boating & mountain biking await those individuals with an adventurous attitude. Come discover the many secret places & stories that are still to be found in Arizona's State Parks.

The Arizona State Parks Board was established in 1957 to acquire & manage areas. Over the years, legislation has added other programs to Arizona State Parks & as a result, the volunteer Board is responsible for a much broader spectrum of duties. These duties are related to historic preservation, archaeology, outdoor recreation, resource conservation & education, & grant administration.

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at azstateparks.com.