A historic mining district that extends along the bottom of a sycamore shaded canyon is the focal point of this short, easy drive. You'll start in the quaint little town of Patagonia, with it's rich mining and ranching heritage, and drive up the meandering course of Harshaw Creek. The canyons carved by that small stream and its tributaries were the center of extensive mining activity from the mid 1800's well into the twentieth century. Even today, mining activity continues in some areas..As you drive along the creek, the rock outcrops yielding the gold and silver that once attracted large numbers of prospectors and hard rock miners to this area are frequently accompanied by evidence of the enterprise of those hardy and persistent souls. In some cases, that evidence may be a shaft or tunnel gaping from the canyon side and made obvious by a telltale pile of mine tailings. In others, the only thing left to catch your eye may be the remains of an old adobe wall or a clump of ornamental trees planted here by the miners. Because the Ailanthus altissima, or "tree of heaven", is fast growing and pollution tolerant, it was frequently planted around mining settlements to provide cool shade and a touch of green after native trees were cut for firewood or mine timbers. The Harshaw Road ends at its junction with FR 61, just west of the old ghost towns of Washington Camp and Duquesne. You might want to take a short detour in their direction before you continue up and over the pass into Nogales.
Details
Location:
20 miles northeast of Nogales
Surface:
Dirt or Gravel
Suitable Vehicle:
Passenger Car
Length:
16 mile semi-loop
Time:
1-2 hours
Main Roads:
Harshaw Rd and Duquesne Rd
Season:
Drivable year round
Additional Details:
Drive south from Patagonia on the Harshaw Road, FR 58. At the junction with FR 49 turn right and drive south to FR 61. You can turn around here and go back the way you came or turn right again heading west on FR 61 and continue into Nogales. This semi-loop is about 16 miles.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Drive south from Patagonia on the Harshaw Road, FR 58. At the junction with FR 49 turn right and drive south to FR 61. You can turn around here and go back the way you came or turn right again heading west on FR 61 and continue into Nogales.
Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Nogales. More Visitor Guides are available in Washington. Click here to view them all!
Bisbee Southern Arizona
Bisbee
Southern ArizonaVictorian neighborhoods, locally-owned restaurants and coffee shops, bookstores, galleries and more make Bisbee a good choice for those seeking sophistication along with small town charm. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Arizona - The Grand Canyon State Arizona
Arizona - The Grand Canyon State
ArizonaStart planning your Arizona vacation with the Official State Visitor's guide - available in print, electronically, or both. Fill out the form to request your free travel packet, which includes an Arizona Official State Visitor's Guide and an Arizona state highway map. The Arizona Office of Tourism ships domestically as well as the following countries only: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Canada and Mexico. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Maverick Helicopters Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and California
Maverick Helicopters
Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and CaliforniaUnforgettable Tours Offered in Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and California. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Puget SoundThe Kitsap Peninsula is for those who are drawn to the sea. Located in the heart of Puget Sound, the Peninsula is surrounded by over 300 miles of shoreline and is situated between the dramatic mountain Olympic and Cascade mountains ranges of Washington. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Grays Harbor Western
Grays Harbor
WesternSpend time for part of the day relaxing near the inspiring Pacific Ocean, then, if the mood strikes you, you could find yourself in a lush rain forest one hour later. Although water is a big part of Grays Harbor, there are still beautiful land-based places to visit and enjoy. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Oregon's Mt Hood Territory Northern Oregon
Oregon's Mt Hood Territory
Northern OregonFrom majestic Mount Hood to the green and sprawling Willamette Valley, Oregon's Mount Hood Territory is a place to be explored. Enjoy conquering historic hiking trails or take on Mount Hood on skis for an experience not soon to be forgotten. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Olympic Peninsula Northwestern Washington
Olympic Peninsula
Northwestern WashingtonIf over 60 miles of pristine wilderness coastline sounds appealing to you, the Olympic Peninsula is the place to be. Several untouched beaches provide scenery which makes a perfect setting for a romantic stroll or a reflective solitary walk along the shore. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Bellingham Whatcom County Canadian Border
Bellingham Whatcom County
Canadian BorderWe offer a break from the ordinary. With magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Baker, hiking, arts and theatre, charming villages and water adventures like whale watching – Bellingham Whatcom County is a unique area of Washington state. Visit our website to plan your trip. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. Click on any state to see what's available.
Alaska
Arizona
California
Canada
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Louisiana
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Ohio
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Switch to Mobile Browser Mode
We offer a compact version of Go-Washington for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Washington on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop.