Things To Do

The Santa Cruz River forms a ribbon of life in the Pimería Alta. Whether walking to its edge or along its length, visitors will encounter the fundamental building blocks of nature and human civilization.

The complex narrative of Tumacácori doesn't have to be dry or confusing. You just need the right feathered guide! Pancho the Vermilion Flycatcher will guide young Junior Rangers through the park. Older children explore the park following a visual treasure hunt.

The biggest draw to Tumacácori will likely be the grand, 3-story adobe church at its center. But a mission was much more than just a church. Explore the rest of the grounds, including the cemetery, orchard, and O'odham ki to get a fuller picture of what mission life entailed.

Hike through shady cottonwood galleries and mesquite bosques along this six-mile stretch of the Anza Trail between Tumacácori National Historic Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.

The visitor center and museum building was designed to be an interpretive experience that embodied the historic style of the mission churches in the area. In 1935, a group of National Park Service employees mounted an expedition to collect architectural information about churches in northern Sonora. Architectural features such as the carved wooden doors, arched portales, and corbels are details brought from this expedition to Mexico. Find them all!

Nature in a historical park? Yes! The park's many habitats, both natural and cultivated, make its small area proportionally diverse.

A visit to Tumacácori may include a truly sensory experience with one of our historic craft demonstrators. These artisans demonstrate traditional crafts on the grounds of Mission San José de Tumacácori. Demonstrations may include tortilla making, paper flower making, O'odham basket weaving, leather working, or iron working.

Live events like the annual La Fiesta de Tumacácori, bring history into the present. Demonstrations, performances, and activities can be found for all ages and abilities throughout the year.

Guided tours of various types may be offered throughout the year. In park whose story is complex and nuanced, sometimes a knowledgeable guide can be a valuable asset. Join us!

Tumacácori National Historical Park actually includes THREE missions, not just one. Plan ahead to see Guevavi and Calabazas, two other sites south of the Tumacácori unit, but still part of the larger mission story.