1. USA-Mexico Border to Benson
USA-MEXICO BORDER TO BENSON – 128 miles
The official start to the AZBDR is a stones throw from the Mexico border in the Coronado National Monument. This is an interesting area both geographically and historically. It is the center of four major biogeographic provinces: Madrean, Sonoran, Chihuahuan and southern Rockies/Mogollon. It is also the site of the Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Expedition of 1540-1542. Information about both can be found at the interpretive overlook a few miles from the park entrance. From there, it’s a mellow ride along the border fence using wide graded dirt roads before heading north to the small town of Sonoita. Fuel up here for your journey through Empire Ranch, a historic working cattle ranch from the 1870s.
1. USA-Mexico Border to Benson
USA-MEXICO BORDER TO BENSON – 128 miles
The official start to the AZBDR is a stones throw from the Mexico border in the Coronado National Monument. This is an interesting area both geographically and historically. It is the center of four major biogeographic provinces: Madrean, Sonoran, Chihuahuan and southern Rockies/Mogollon. It is also the site of the Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Expedition of 1540-1542. Information about both can be found at the interpretive overlook a few miles from the park entrance. From there, it’s a mellow ride along the border fence using wide graded dirt roads before heading north to the small town of Sonoita. Fuel up here for your journey through Empire Ranch, a historic working cattle ranch from the 1870s.
AZBDR Starting Point
Start near Mexico Border This is the official starting point of the Arizona BDR. It’s about 90 miles and a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Tucson, the nearest large city to the start. More specifically it begins where South Coronado Memorial Road turns off Highway 92 south of Sierra Vista and west of Bisbee. You can gas up in either of those towns and stay there before embarking on the AZBDR. The international border with Mexico is just 3 miles away and you’ll get much closer as you travel this BDR.
Benson - Food Gas Lodging
AZBDR POI
Canelo Pass 5456'
Canelo Pass 5456′ Visit Website »
Coronado Cave
Coronado Cave Coronado Cave became part of Coronado National Memorial in 1978, when the park expanded its boundaries. The cave may have been used by humans as a shelter and hideout by middle archaic people (up to 8000 years ago) and more recently by the Chiricahua Apache and other Apache peoples, Mexican and European miners, and settlers (however, no archaeological evidence remains in the cave today). The cave is now one of the few open, undeveloped caves in southern Arizona (i.e. no tour guide is needed). Coronado Cave is a large cavern 600 feet long and in most places about 70 feet wide. The trail up to the cave is about a half mile long and gains about 400 feet. Visit Website »
Coronado National Memorial
Coronado National Memorial The Coronado National Memorial commemorates the first organized expedition into the Southwest by conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. The park’s grounds have trails, picnic areas, and birdwatching and wildlife viewing spots and are open dawn to dusk every day year-round. The visitor center has museum displays, exhibits, a bookstore, and a gift shop. Visit Website »
Empire Ranch Headquarters
Empire Ranch Headquarters Empire Ranch is a working cattle ranch in southeastern Pima County, Arizona, that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In its heyday, Empire Ranch was one of the largest in Arizona, with a range spanning over 180 square miles, and its owner, Walter L. Vail, was an important figure in the establishment of southern Arizona’s cattle industry. Visit Website »
Hereford - Food Gas Lodging
Canyon General 9500 S Highway 92 Hereford, Arizona, 85615, United States 520-366-5640
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Cavern Tram Benson, Arizona, 85602, United States
Montezuma Pass Overlook
Montezuma Pass Overlook Montezuma Pass Overlook is part of a scenic drive through Coronado National Memorial. At the pass there is a parking lot with restrooms and views east and west. If you have time, a fantastic half-mile hike begins at the pass and leads up to the summit of Coronado Peak. From there the views are more impressive and look into Mexico less than a mile away. The elevation at the pass is around 6500 feet and the peak is 6864 feet. Visit Website »
Parker Lake & Campground
Parker Canyon Lake & Campground Fishing, boating, kayaking, rentals, marina, campground. Visit Website »
Sierra Vista - Food Gas Lodging
Alley
Sonoita - Food Gas Lodging
AZBDR POI
US-Mexico Border
Intl. Border
AZ1 - USA-Mexico Border to Benson
AZ1 ALT Bypass - Route to Avoid Sand
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