Visit Wilderness

Attention, botany lovers: you should not miss this little Wilderness.

More than 660 species of plants have been identified within its borders, 17 of them found nowhere else on Earth. Botanists have called Pajarita one of the most intriguing small areas in the United States. Its wildflowers alone attract photographers from around the world.

Hugging the border of Mexico, Pajarita is dominated by the narrow and twisting, steep-walled Sycamore Canyon. While the stream only flows on a seasonal basis, it does have year-round pools of water and serves as a major migration corridor for wildlife. Rolling hills and oak woodlands are dissected by several canyons.

Elevation ranges from 3,800 feet to 4,800 feet.

A popular day-hiking destination, the seven-mile Sycamore Canyon Trail starts at Hank and Yank Spring and traverses the length of the canyon. It intersects the Border Trail four miles into the Wilderness.

Visitors are advised to use caution due to smuggling activity in areas near the international border.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Pajarita Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts