San Rafael Valley
San Rafael Valley is a high-desert grassland in southeastern Arizona, known for wide-open skies, wildlife, and trail-free routes connecting to ranching areas.
Learn More
Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Southwestern United States |
| Subregion | Southern Rocky Mountain steppe |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Cochise County |
| Timezone | AmericaPhoenix |
| Latitude | 31.66 |
| Longitude | -109.93 |
| Maps |
7:15 PM LOCAL TIMESan Rafael Valley is a remote high-desert basin in southeastern Arizona, straddling eastern Cochise County and western Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Enclosed by rolling hills and semi-arid uplands, it offers expansive grasslands, seasonal rangeland, and panoramic views of distant mountains to the northeast and southwest. The valley is a traditional ranching area with few formal trailheads; travel across the open plains emphasizes overland cross-country navigation, geographic awareness, and respect for quiet, private lands. Wildlife is abundant — look for Antilocapra americana (pronghorn), Bison bison (occasionally), and a suite of desert-adapted birds. Winters are cool and dry, while summer highs often reach into the low 30s°C (mid-80s to low 90s°F). Access is best by high-clearance vehicle; paved routes are few, and much of the valley is managed for private ranching or conservation. While there are no formal visitor facilities, the region rewards those comfortable with desert travel, visual navigation, and leave-no-trace principles.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM