The San Pedro River is a treasure in southeast Arizona. As it cuts a natural course from Mexico to the Gila River, the San Pedro has shallow waters for only 20 miles or so; for the rest of its 120 miles, it runs underground.

Between Benson and Sierra Vista, the river is the spine of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. Named by the Nature Conservanccy as a last great place, this area is a phenomenal place for spotting birds and other wildlife.