Presidio Santa Cruz Terrenate | Arizona

Located in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA), Presidio Santa Cruz de Terranate is the most well-preserved defensive Spanish site in a broader regional network. A stone foundation and adobe wall fragments mark the location of this isolated and dangerous military outpost. An interpretive trail guides you around the site.

Established in 1775 by Hugo O’Conor, an Irish-born Spanish Army Colonel, the Presidio served as a strategic outpost. It was used during conflicts between Spanish forces and Apache groups, and to fend off Russian and French incursions. Persistent Apache resistance, corruption within the Spanish administration, and declining soldier morale led to incomplete construction. The site was abandoned by 1780 but briefly reoccupied by the U.S. Army about a century later.

Archaeologist Charles DiPeso studied the site in 1951. He suggested it was built atop the precontact Sobaipuri village of Quiburi. Subsequent research confirmed an earlier settlement beneath the Presidio. It was not the renowned Quiburi village but was used by Sobaipuri, Hohokam, and Archaic peoples over time.

The structures were made of adobe on stone foundations, and only the bases of walls remain visible. The adobe walls are capped annually with a fresh coat of adobe mud by organized volunteer projects. Read a story on our blog about how "mud parties" help improve the longevity of this site.

Hours and Seasons

Presidio Santa Cruz de Terranate is open year-round. The best time of year to visit is late October to mid-May.

Friends of the San Pedro River offers seasonal tours of Terrenate which you can learn more about on their website or Facebook Page.

Features and Services

• Drinking Water: No drinking water is available.
• Toilets: A waterless toilet is available near the Presidio.
• Cell Phone and Internet: Cell phone service is sometimes spotty at the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terranate. Public internet/Wi-Fi is not available.
• Pets: Pets are generally allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times in developed areas, including trailheads, interpretive sites, and locations near the two visitor contact stations. Please pack out any pet waste.

Safety and Conditions

You are responsible for your own safety. Call 911 to contact local law enforcement, obtain emergency services, or report a fire.

Keep in mind that there is no first aid available on-site. The nearest hospital is in Sierra Vista.

The San Pedro River is subject to seasonal flooding, and summer monsoons are common.

The region is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. Nevertheless, visitors can safely enjoy the SPRNCA. Please report all suspected illegal activities to the Bureau of Land Management or local law enforcement authorities. Avoiding contact with people exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities.

Respect and Protect

Please remember to practice outdoor ethics and recreate responsibly. Help us protect this unique environment by staying on designated trails, observing wildlife from a distance, and leaving no trace during your visit.

The use of metal detectors is prohibited.

Check for fire restrictions before your visit. Using exploding targets, fireworks, sky lanterns, tracer ammunition and other incendiary devices is prohibited on BLM-managed public land in Arizona.