Hereford, AZ

The Nature Conservancy Ramsey Canyon Preserve is a 380-acre sanctuary for a huge variety of plants and animals, including Chiricahua leopard frogs and hummingbirds. The preserve is home to approximately 170 different bird species, such as painted restarts and hummingbirds; various butterfly species; several other species of wildlife, like Yarrow’s spiny lizards and blacks bears; and over four hundred different types of plants.

There is also an interpretive center for natural history located within the Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Visitors can have a picnic at the preserve headquarters, but no pets are allowed on site. Guided tour of Ramsey Canyon are also offered.

Montezuma's Pass is a scenic overlook of 6,575 feet in elevation. The scenic site can be found about three miles to the west from the visitor center via a winding, unpaved mountain road. The overlook offers amazing views to the west of San Raphael Valley, views to the east of San Pedro Valley, and views to the south of Mexico.

Informative panels are provided at Montezuma’s Pass that display information about the visible geography, the fauna and flora found in the habitats of Sky Island, and the epic Coronado Expedition. It also serves as the trailhead for part of the Arizona Trail.

Address: Montezuma's Pass, W. Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-366-5515

Romantic Activities and Attractions:

Coronado Cave is a huge cavern of approximately six hundred feet in length, and a width of around seventy feet in the majority of places. It is believed that people may have used the cave as a hideout and shelter up to eight thousand years ago, as well as possibly the Chiricahua Apache, other Apache groups, European and Mexican miners, and perhaps settlers. Coronado Cave is one of only a few undeveloped, open caves found in the southern region of Arizona. When the Coronado National Memorial expanded its boundaries back in 1978, the cave became a part of the park.

Address: Coronado Cave, 4101 E Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-366-5515

The Arizona Folklore Preserve is a story of one man’s dream that came true, the story of the Official State Balladeer of Arizona, Dolan Ellis. He wanted there to be a place where stories and songs celebrating the state and its western culture and heritage could be preserved and performed. The Arizona Folklore Preserve was founded by Dolan and performances began in the Moffett House, their property’s small ranch house from the 1920’s. in June of 1996. Performances are now help in a state-of-the-art Folklore Center after partnering with the University of Arizona in 2000, ensuring the folklore will continue.

Address: Arizona Folklore Preserve, 56 E Folklore Trail, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-378-6165

The Coronado National Memorial in Hereford, Arizona was created to interpret the historic Coronado Expedition. It was an expedition of conquest that was filled with wonder, exploration, and sadly, cruelty. 339 soldiers from Europe and more than 1,000 Aztecs left on the expedition inspired by the stories of Cibola, the cities of gold. This journey took them through rugged mountains and deserts.

They brought new technologies with them and encountered rich traditions. The combination and collision of culture that results still reverberates today. The park provides sweeping views of the San Pedro River, the corridor believed to be used by the expedition.

Address: Coronado National Memorial, 4101 E Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-366-5515

The Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine offers basically 360-degree amazing views of the area’s San Pedro Valley below. The site is the home of a shrine, of which a religious pilgrimage to the town of Medjugorje in Yugoslavia served as the inspiration.

The tranquil sanctuary is made up of a chapel, a statue measuring thirty-one feet tall of the Virgin Mary, and a Celtic cross seventy-five feet in height. Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine is a place that all people can enjoy, no matter what their religion may be. The valley and mountain views found at the shrine are truly stunning.

Address: Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine, 10310 S Twin Oaks Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-378-2950

If you are traveling with kids:

The Fairbank Historic Townsite is situated in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near the San Pedro River.

The town was founded in 1881 when the railroad was constructed, and became one of the important depots and the closest stop to the city of Tombstone. The name of this “ghost town” is a reference to N.K. Fairbank, who assisted in financing the railroad. The town is now open to the public to explore through a self-guided walking tour. Visitors can discover historic artifacts and points of interest of this once thriving wild west boomtown.

Address: Fairbank Historic Townsite, 4070 S. Avenida Saracino, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-258-7200

The Coronado Peak Trail offers not just a great hike, but sweeping views of the surrounding area, including the country of Mexico. Visitors can reach the trail by taking East Montezuma Canyon Road to the gravel road just beyond the visitor center up to the Montezuma Pass Overlook. There they will find the parking lot with the trailhead by the restrooms. The Coronado Peak Trail goes to the right at the junction after the lot and then climbs to the peak along the ridge. It’s a quick climb, so the trail isn’t that long but there is the 250-foot elevation gain.

Address: Coronado Peak Trail, 4101 E Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615

Pizzeria Mimosa in Hereford, Arizona is a true Neapolitan experience in dining. The eatery is dedicated to providing customers with authentic and fresh Italian fare and Neapolitan pizza, practicing strict techniques in traditional manner from the master Pizzaioli. Specific raw ingredients are used to make perfect dough for pizzas, and freshly made mozzarella and tomatoes specially grown are used for the perfect toppings. Pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning pizza oven brought over from Naples in Italy. The resulting pizza is chewy, crispy, and amazing fragrant, truly an authentic Neapolitan pizza. Artisan, sustainable, local, and fresh ingredients are always used.

Address: Pizzeria Mimosa, 4755 E. Neapolitan Way, Hereford, AZ 85615, Phone: 520-378-0022