What RV Renters Know
- Tubac Presidio State Historic Park: Arizona's oldest European settlement site, partially excavated, free museum
- Tumacacori National Historical Park: three abandoned Spanish colonial missions dating to the 1690s
- Tubac artist colony: 100+ galleries and studios in a historic village setting, 20 miles north of Nogales
- Madera Canyon (40 miles north): premier Arizona birding site, Elegant Trogon territory
- I-19 is the only US interstate signed in kilometers — a quirk of the 1970s border corridor treaty
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Spanish colonial missions near Nogales?
Tumacacori National Historical Park, 20 miles north of Nogales on I-19, preserves three Spanish colonial mission ruins — Tumacacori (the main ruin), Calabazas, and Guevavi. Franciscan missionaries established the Tumacacori mission in 1691, making it older than the famous San Xavier del Bac in Tucson. The park has a small museum and the ruins are walkable. San Xavier del Bac, an active mission 45 miles north, is among the best-preserved Spanish colonial churches in the US.
What is Tubac and is it worth a stop?
Tubac is an arts colony 20 miles north of Nogales with 100+ galleries and studios in a historic village setting alongside the Tubac Presidio. Artists have been attracted to the area since the 1950s — ceramics, painting, jewelry, and textiles are the main categories. The Tubac Center of the Arts hosts rotating shows. Weekends bring more galleries open; some close Monday–Tuesday. RV parking is available in the village lot.
Is Madera Canyon near Nogales good for birding?
Madera Canyon, 40 miles north of Nogales in the Santa Rita Mountains, is one of the premier birding destinations in North America. Elegant Trogon is the star species — a flame-colored Mexican bird that nests here from April through September. The canyon records 250+ species annually and draws serious birders from across the country. The Santa Rita Lodge has feeders that attract 15+ hummingbird species in summer. The access road can handle standard RVs but is steep.