CLIP 'N' GO   Patagonia Lake State Park / Sonoita Creek State Natural Area   Drive: Take Interstate 10 to Arizona 83, Sonoita/Patagonia exit. Go south on Arizona 83 for 24 miles to the stop sign at the crossroads of Arizona 83 and Arizona 82. Turn west on Arizona 82 and go seven miles past the town of Patagonia. Turn north on Patagonia Lake Road and follow the signs to Patagonia Lake State Park and the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. The visitor center, 400 Patagonia Lake Road, is clearly marked.   When: Day-use hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   Cost: Admission to the park is $2 per bicycle, $7 per vehicle. An additional $3 is charged for pontoon boat tours.   Et cetera: Reservations are required for programs. Call the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Visitor Center at 1-520-287-2791 for more information and to make reservations. Participants will meet at the visitor center for all programs.

Birding, boating, fishing, hiking, camping . . . With a lake that's more than two miles long and surrounded by almost 5,000 acres of riparian habitat, there is no shortage of things for the do-it-yourselfer to do in Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. For those who need a little more guidance, the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area offers weekly events and special programs through April, Park Ranger Jennifer Parks said. Pontoon boat trips are $3, but all other programs are free. However, park entrance fees - $7 per vehicle and $2 per bicycle - do apply. Participants should meet at the visitor center, 400 Patagonia Lake Road, for all programs. Call the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Visitor Center at 1-520-287-2791 for more information and to make reservations. Weekly events ● Avian Adventure Pontoon Boat Tours - Take a birding tour of the east end of Patagonia Lake. 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. ● Lake Discovery Pontoon Boat Tour - Discover the vegetation, history and beauty of Sonoita Creek and the west end of Patagonia Lake as you explore Ash Canyon, the dam and Deep Cove. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. ● Introduction to Birding - Learn the basics about birds and birding. All ages welcome. 2 p.m. Saturdays. ● Bird Hike of Sonoita Creek - Take a two-hour birding hike along Sonoita Creek. Bring your own binoculars, field guide and water. 9 a.m. Sundays and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. ● Junior Ranger Activity - Learn about nature and create fun nature crafts to take home. All ages welcome. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Special programs ● Why was there a train here and what happened to it? - Explore the impact the railroads in Southern Arizona had on the area for more than a century. 1 p.m. Saturday. ● Sonoita Creek: A Ribbon of Life - Learn about why Sonoita Creek's riparian area is important to sustaining environmental health for plants, animals and people. 1 p.m. Nov. 13. ● Twilight Pontoon Boat Tour - Take an evening tour of Patagonia Lake aboard a 25-foot pontoon boat and experience the sights and sounds of the wildlife by the light of the full moon. 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22. ● Reptile Roundup - Learn about the roles that snakes, Gila monsters and other reptiles play in the environment and meet some friendly reptiles up close and personal. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27. CLIP 'N' GO

 

Patagonia Lake State Park / Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

 

Drive: Take Interstate 10 to Arizona 83, Sonoita/Patagonia exit. Go south on Arizona 83 for 24 miles to the stop sign at the crossroads of Arizona 83 and Arizona 82. Turn west on Arizona 82 and go seven miles past the town of Patagonia. Turn north on Patagonia Lake Road and follow the signs to Patagonia Lake State Park and the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. The visitor center, 400 Patagonia Lake Road, is clearly marked. When: Day-use hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost: Admission to the park is $2 per bicycle, $7 per vehicle. An additional $3 is charged for pontoon boat tours. Et cetera: Reservations are required for programs. Call the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area Visitor Center at 1-520-287-2791 for more information and to make reservations. Participants will meet at the visitor center for all programs.