Arivaca Creek

Arivaca Creek
Arivaca Creek, overgrown with water weeds.
Country	United States
Location	Pima County, Arizona
Basin features
Main source	Arivaca Valley
River mouth	Brawley Wash
River system	Colorado River
Physical characteristics
Length	5.5 mi (8.9 km)

Arivaca Creek is a small valley stream in southern Pima County, Arizona, that is approximately 5.5 miles long from its origin in Arivaca Valley to its confluence with the Brawley Wash stream system. As a seasonal stream, Arivaca Creek is perennial for only about two miles most years and experiences its greatest stream-flow during winter and the summer Monsoon season.

Most of Arivaca Creek and the riparian corridor it supports is protected as part of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (Buenos Aires NWR). A rare swamp-like desert wetland area called Arivaca Cienega is located in the upper reaches of the creek and makes up the eastern-most part of the Buenos Aires NWR. Both areas are open to the public for hiking, bird watching and other outdoor recreational activities. The small community of Arivaca, Arizona, is located along the banks of the creek, in between the Arivaca Cienega just east of town and the Arivaca Creek trailhead to the west.

Sign at the Arivaca Creek traihead.

Arivaca Creek, near the ruins of the historic Wilbur Ranch House.

Lizard along the trail.

Coordinates: 31°38′05″N 111°25′29″W / 31.6348°N 111.4248°W / 31.6348; -111.4248