Friends of Sabino Canyon

We provide resources that conserve, protect, and enhance the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

© Martin Horowitz
© Martin Horowitz
© Martin Horowitz

Conserve. Protect. Enhance.

In the eastern foothills of the Santa Catalina mountain range, Sabino Canyon is a world of natural beauty. Stunning vistas, the freshness of the morning air, the tranquility of running creek water, and the rugged backdrop of Thimble Peak make this place so unique.

Sabino Canyon is located in the northeastern region of the Sonoran Desert known as the Arizona Upland. In its entirety, the Sonoran Desert extends south throughout the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. The Upland, including Sabino Canyon, has higher elevations than much of the Sonoran Desert, and, perhaps most importantly, receives an average of 12 inches (30.5 cm) of rain annually. For a desert, this is an abundance of rain, which together with the flow of Sabino Creek yield marvelous wildlife and plant varieties, many unique the world over.

Visitor Center Re-Imagined

An updated, sustainable, and innovative Visitor Center has been a vision of the USFS since the adoption of its Sustainable Recreation Concept Plan in 2015. The existing facility has served the community well for over 60 years but is in need of a major renovation. 

In conjunction with the USFS, Friends has launched a campaign to fund a master plan for an updated Visitor Center that respects the cultural, historic, and ecological character of the Canyon. Please join us in this unique opportunity- every dedicated contribution will get us closer to our goal of raising $175,000 to match a USFS contribution of $175,000. 

Go to ‘Re-Imagine Visitor Center’ on this page to donate now.

Please send us your ideas and questions about the Master Plan to:

friends@sabinocanyon.org

Newsletter

Receiving the printed newsletter in the mail is one of the benefits of being a member. To start or continue newsletter delivery to your home, join Friends of Sabino Canyon or renew your membership today! Thank you!

Past copies of the newsletter are available below as PDF files.

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2023: Summer 2023    Fall 2023 

2022: Winter 2022

2021: Fall 2021

2020: Fall 2020

2019: Spring 2019     Fall 2019