Amado, Arizona Located in the Tucson & Southern Region Photo: Elephant Head Mountain

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About Amado, Arizona
Nestled in the Santa Cruz River Valley, just a 30 minute scenic drive south of Tucson, following 1-19, Amado is a quaint, rural paradise for birdwatchers, nature-lovers, and city folk seeking relaxation and tranquility. It is situated at an elevation of 3091 feet and has a land area of 11.2 square miles. In 2000 the population was just over 400 residents. The wide range of ecosystems extend from rugged peaks and pine forests of the Santa Rita Mountains, (named for the patroness of impossible causes), to spring fed canyons, the Sonoran Desert and the Santa Cruz River Valley. It is primarily ranchland with lots of cattle and horses and the local wildlife species include bobcat, mountain lion, javelina, deer, jack rabbits and snakes.

Amado was once the halfway station along the route that ran from Nogales to Arivaca to Tucson, and the station building still stands. The four Amado brothers came to the New World from Spain in 1790 as soldiers for the Spanish King. Eventually, three of the brothers ended up in the area that is now Amado. The fourth brother went to California. Amado was named Amadoville after this pioneer family who settled here, and established the Post Office and a store, and ranched cattle on the range. The railroad station opened around 1910, and the Post Office was established as Amadoville on June 17, 1919. On February 27, 1920, the name was changed to Amado.

Amado is near the historic Tumacácori National Historic Park, the Titan Missile Museum, ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, and the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory.

Abundant wildlife and the area supports hundreds of species of birds—dazzling flycatchers, hawks, eagles, waterbirds, and those flying jewels, the Rufous, Costas, Broadbill, Annas, and Black-chinned hummingbirds. The area is home to The Anza Trail, which can be picked up in either Tubac or Tumacacori, and offers birders an extraordinary opportunity to hike along one of the largest riparian cottonwood forests in Arizona. Madera Canyon and Mount Wrightson Summit are also superb birding spots. The area is also a popular destination for bicycle enthusiasts who can cycle up the scenic Mount Hopkins Road, and for something more challenging, explore the many mountain biking trails that crawl through the Santa Rita Mountains' foothills from Madera Canyon near Green Valley, to the base of Elephant Head. Besides hiking, bird watching, and cycling, there are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities to enjoy including, horse back riding, fishing and boating, scenic byways and auto tours, and golf at the 10 golf courses located in the nearby communities of Green valley, Tubac, Nogales and Rio Rico.

Amado Weather, & Directions     

Amado is conveniently located between the city of Tucson and the US/Mexican Border communities of Nogales in Arizona, and Nogales in Sonora Mexico.
Amado is just 30 minutes from Tucson and the Tucson International Airport, 2 ½ hours from Phoenix.
From Phoenix: Head south on 1-10 towards Tucson. In Tucson take Interstate 19 south towards Nogales, to Amado.
From Tucson: Take Interstate 19 south towards Nogales, to Amado.

Nearby towns/cities
Green Valley, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Tubac, AZ; Nogales, AZ; Patagonia, AZ; Rio Rico, AZ;