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Madera Canyon Road, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona
Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Arizona Tucson and Southern Arizona

Madera Canyon Road

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona · Green Valley → Santa Rita Lodge

Leisurely8.4 mi15 min1,700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,900 ftOne way
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The drive

Whitehouse Canyon Road and Madera Canyon Road climb from the desert above Green Valley across open grassland into a wooded canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. The grassland stretch is known for birds, and the upper road ends among oak and sycamore at Santa Rita Lodge.

It's a dead end, and a gentle climb from saguaro desert into a cooler sky island forest. The road crosses three one-lane bridges on the way up. Beyond the lodge it goes on about a mile to the upper trailheads.

Along the way

  1. Green Valley (Whitehouse Canyon Road)
  2. Santa Rita Lodge
Elevation
1,700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,900 ft
Green ValleySanta Rita Lodge
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Green ValleySanta Rita Lodge
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The road crosses three one-lane bridges.
  • A clearly displayed pass is required for parking; the day fee is $8.
  • Pima County closes the road briefly for ice or washouts.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Coronado National Forest alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does Madera Canyon Road take?

Whitehouse Canyon Road and Madera Canyon Road from Green Valley to Santa Rita Lodge is 8.4 miles and takes about 15 minutes.

Is there a fee for Madera Canyon?

Parking requires a pass; the day fee is $8.

Is Madera Canyon good for birding?

Yes. It's known among birders, and the lodge has feeders.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Madera Canyon Road, from Green Valley to Santa Rita Lodge