About Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, is a unique 101-acre park that features a perennial warm spring and pond that is home to an exceptionally rich mix of plants and animals. Agua Caliente Park has a long and interesting history with evidence of human habitation dating back about 5,500 years. In 1873, a ranch and health resort was developed to promote the curative properties of the warm springs. In 1984 local businessman Roy P. Drachman donated over $200,000 toward the purchase of Agua Caliente Ranch and Pima County named the park in honor of this contribution. Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park opened to the public on January 19, 1985.
Improvements have added the modern conveniences without eliminating the historical aspects of the park. On July 9, 2009 Agua Caliente Ranch Rural Historic Landscape was placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The flow rate from the spring has varied over time reportedly as high as 500 gallons per minute to an unmeasurable seep in recent years. The sources and pathways for the water that now infrequently comes out of the natural spring head are not fully understood. Rainfall and snow on the Santa Catalina Mountains, shallow and deep rock stresses and fractures as well as significant heat generated hundreds of feet below the surface, all contribute to the complex and changing system. In recent years the pond has been maintained with water pumped from a well located on the property.
Visit the renovated 1870s Ranch House Visitor Center and Art Gallery, tour the park on one of the many naturalist led walks, or picnic in the shade of mature palm trees and native mesquite trees. Stroll the network of accessible paved and gravel trails with interpretive signs that explain the geology and history of the warm spring and the natural and human history of the site.
Sign up for a program by clicking the register now button. You can also purchase an Annual Tours and Outdoor Activities Pass to get free or reduced cost for tours and programs. How to set up an account in Active Net.
Programs
Birding Agua Caliente Park
Explore the ponds, mesquite bosque, and surrounding desert of Agua Caliente Park in search of its rich bird life. We expect to see woodpeckers, flycatchers, warblers, vireos, as well as wintering waterfowl.
$5 fee. Online registration required.
Wednesdays, March 1 and 15, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 5 and 19, 7:30-9:00 a.m.
Birding For EveryBODY: Agua Caliente Park
Join Marcia OBara for a leisurely birding experience designed for nature lovers with accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. The pace is slow, distance short, and terrain even. Explore beautiful Agua Caliente Park where we hope to see waterfowl, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and more. Each registered participant is welcome to bring a support person. This program is offered in partnership with the Tucson Audubon Society.
Free. Online registration opens Saturday, February 11; visit https://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/birding-field-trips/
Thursday, March 9, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 6, 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Fledgling Birders: Birding for all Ages and Abilities
Are you new to birding? Need help getting started? Birding is a great way to get outside to explore nature, learn more about wildlife and wildlife behavior, hone your observation skills, reduce stress, and connect with others. Join naturalist Jeff Babson for a casual birding experience to familiarize yourself with birding basics. Loaner binoculars available.
Free. Online registration required.
Saturday, March 18, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 15, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Stargazing Agua Caliente Park
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers provide an introduction to the night sky and set up telescopes for celestial viewing. Feel free to bring your lawn chair. Free, family-friendly fun. Registration required. Weather permitting.
Free. Online registration required; visit http://pima-county-nrpr.eventbrite.com
Friday, March 24, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Family Nature Photography
Join Stephanie McAndrews for a workshop designed to help beginner photographers ages 6 and up. Learn to use planning, camera settings, and composition to improve wildlife, landscape, and nature-story images. Classroom and field instruction provided. Please bring a charged digital, film, or cell-phone camera for every participant in your group. A limited number of digital cameras will be available for use (please bring an SD card or USB flash drive to save your images). Participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Free. Online registration required.
Saturday, March 25, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Nature Photography Workshop for Adults
Join Stephanie McAndrews for a workshop designed to help beginner photographers improve their wildlife, macro, landscape, and nature-story images through use of planning, camera settings, composition, and basic post processing. Classroom and field instruction provided. Each participant should bring a charged digital, film, or cell-phone camera. We have a limited number of digital cameras to loan (please bring an SD card or USB flash drive to save your images). Designed for ages 15 and up.
Free. Online registration required.
Monday, March 27, 8:00-10:30 a.m.
Bat Walk at Agua Caliente Park
Explore the nocturnal world of bats, beginning with an introduction to their diversity, biology, and conservation. The group will then set off on a casual stroll with a bat detector to determine which species are flying over our heads.
$5 fee. Online registration required.
Thursday, April 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Permits
Special Event Permits
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation is currently evaluating Special Event Permit requests on a case by case basis.
Research and scientific studies must have prior permission from Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. A Right-of-Entry permit is required. For more information call (520) 724-5000.
Commercial and Professional Photography and Filming Special Use Permits are required for commercial photographers to use Pima County Parks for photo shoot backdrops. Per Pima County Park Rule 1.020, all commercial activity on a county park must have the prior written permission of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. For more information please go to the
Commercial Filming Permits link.
Commercial Use Activities
Per Pima County Rule 1.020. It shall be unlawful to use County parks or recreation areas for commercial purpose, public meetings or assemblies, erection of signs, fences, barriers or structures, to distribute advertising materials, or sell and goods or services without first obtaining a written permit from Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department.