Timeline
15:39
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
Arrive at the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area entrance. The area is open daily from dawn to dusk, so you have plenty of time to settle in before the light changes. Use this time to pick up a map or check the trail conditions for the path toward Murray Springs.
16:39
Walk to the Murray Springs Clovis Site. This is one of the oldest archaeological sites in North America, where nomadic hunters once pursued woolly mammoth. Spend the next hour exploring the site and looking for artifacts left behind 12,000 to 13,000 years ago. The site is managed as part of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, so stay on the designated paths.
17:39
Find a clear view of the western horizon. As the sun sets toward the WSW, the golden light will wash over the ancient landscape, highlighting the earthworks and the surrounding desert scrub. This is the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the deep history of the land under the changing sky.
Local tip
The site is located east of Sierra Vista, but Murray Springs itself is to the NW of the main anchor area. Allow extra time for the walk between the main conservation area and the specific archaeological site.
Check before you go
- The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is open daily from dawn to dusk. Ensure you arrive before sunset to have enough time to walk to Murray Springs and enjoy the view.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Sierra Vista (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).