Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona
Aravaipa Canyon is a beautifully pristine preserve at the northern edge of the
Galiuro Mts. in southern Arizona. Most of the area is federally designated wilderness
managed by the BLM, which also provides hiking permits (the Nature Conservancy
also owns portions of nearby land along Aravaipa Creek). Finally, I don't focus on
wildlife, but another great thing about Aravaipa Canyon is that it's teeming with
everything from deer and turkeys to coatimundies and black bears. I haven't actually
seen a bear yet but I did see a mountain lion, although the quick snapshot I got
from far away turned out so bad you can hardly even see the big cat.

Also see Ash Creek, an area at the opposite (south) end
of the Galiuro Mts. known for its maple trees in the fall