Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Starting at
2,149
Arizona
Cave Creek Canyon Birding At Portal
Program No. 11973RJ
Boasting awe-inspiring landscapes and some of the richest wildlife diversity in the nation, it’s easy to see why Cave Creek Canyon is a mecca for both birds and birders alike.
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800-454-5768
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 11 - May 16, 2025
Starting at
2,149Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
Starting at
2,149DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Starting at
2,389May 11 - May 16, 2025
Starting at
2,389May 25 - May 30, 2025
Starting at
2,389Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2025
Starting at
2,389Oct 5 - Oct 10, 2025
Starting at
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5B 5L 5D
6
Cave Creek Canyon, Program Concludes
Portal, AZ
At a Glance
One of the premier birding areas of the U.S., Cave Creek Canyon’s proximity to Mexico and unique highland habitat produce a rich mix of species. The Chiricahua Mountains provide a migration corridor above the surrounding desert and rise through seven life zones. Providing a wide range of ecosystems, it is one of only two sites in the U.S. where the Elegant Trogon nests and is home to 16 varieties of hummingbirds. Join a birding professional for daily field trips in our exploration of the mountains.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking up to one mile at a time; getting in/out of vans. Elevations of 8,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Journey to the San Simon Valley to view Bendire’s Thrashers and Inca Doves before searching local mountains for Mexican Chickadees and Painted Redstarts.
- Visit Cochise Lakes and the Willcox Playa, a habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds and a popular destination for birders.
- Dazzle in the spectacular views — and spot high-elevation birds — during a field trip to Rustler Park, located high in the Chiricahuas.
General Notes
All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. This program has a ratio of 8:1. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Matt Brown
Matt Brown has been a birding enthusiast from a young age! In elementary school, Matt taught birding ID to his fellow classmates. He went on to study psychology at Syracuse University before moving to Arizona in 1998 to pursue his passion of bird watching and bird leader. Locally, Matt has worked for the Nature Conservancy, Patagonia Lake State Park, Road Scholar and local birding and butterfly festivals. Since 2002, Matt has owned the Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Company offering custom birding and butterfly programs.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Matt Brown
View biography
Matt Brown has been a birding enthusiast from a young age! In elementary school, Matt taught birding ID to his fellow classmates. He went on to study psychology at Syracuse University before moving to Arizona in 1998 to pursue his passion of bird watching and bird leader. Locally, Matt has worked for the Nature Conservancy, Patagonia Lake State Park, Road Scholar and local birding and butterfly festivals. Since 2002, Matt has owned the Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Company offering custom birding and butterfly programs.
Sharon Goldwasser
View biography
Sharon Goldwasser became an avid birder and naturalist as a student at UC-Santa Cruz. She worked as a field biologist for several years, then moved to Tucson for graduate school in ecology where she studied song mimicry by Lesser Goldfinches. In 1987, she routed her career into education, bringing love of science to thousands of middle school students. Since retiring from the classroom in 2020, she has renewed her birding passion and is excited to share knowledge of birds and the ecology of southern Arizona.
Suggested Reading List
(8 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Cave Creek Canyon Birding At Portal
Program Number: 11973
A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona
Birding Arizona
Flowers of the Southwest Deserts
Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands
Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands
Davis and Russell's Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona
Mountain Islands and Desert Seas: A Natural History of the U.S. Mexican Borderlands.
Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Third Edition.
Year
- 2025
Date
- Apr 27 - May 02
- May 11 - May 16
- May 25 - May 30
- Jun 08 - Jun 13
- Jun 22 - Jun 27
- Oct 05 - Oct 10
- Oct 19 - Oct 24
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- Apr 27 - May 02
- May 11 - May 16
- May 25 - May 30
- Jun 08 - Jun 13
- Jun 22 - Jun 27
- Oct 05 - Oct 10
- Oct 19 - Oct 24
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
15 meals (
5B, 5L, 5D
)
2 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
D
Stay:
Portal Peak Lodge
Activity Note
Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30-6:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Take some time to relax in the tranquility of our surroundings at this charming lodge, located in a remote area surrounded by majestic mountains, abundant wildlife, and diverse flora.
Dinner:
At the lodge restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation. 6:45 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Our Group Leader and instructor — both expert birders — will lead lectures and field trips unless otherwise specified. Transportation throughout the program will be provided via passenger van. Note: This is a remote area where cell phones often do not get reception and Internet is not always available. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Our Group Leader will then give us a presentation introducing some of the bird species we can expect to spot throughout the program. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Wildlife Viewing, Cave Creek Canyon & Chiricahua Mountains
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Portal Peak Lodge
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 40 miles roundtrip, approximately 2.5 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles total, approximately 2 hours on our feet; mostly level terrain.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Our learning adventure will begin on a walking field trip with our Group Leader and instructor, both birding experts. We’ll walk from the lodge along Main Street to some of the many bird and hummingbird feeders in the area. At each location, we’ll have private small group examinations. Fourteen species of hummingbirds are regularly seen in the area including Berylline, Violet-crowned, Lucifer, Broad-billed, White-eared, Blue-throated, Magnificent, Plain-capped Starthroat, Black-chinned, Costa’s, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Rufous. There has also been a Great Horned Owl nesting by the Portal Library for years; if we’re lucky, we might get a look. We’ll then walk back to the lodge after our field trip.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Resuming our birding adventure, we’ll make our way aboard the van down Portal-Paradise Road, which starts out in a dry chaparral area just north of Portal, AZ. About 2 miles up the road, we’ll notice a change in habitat from chaparral to oak-juniper and, as we go, we’ll keep our eyes out for mid-elevation bird species such as the Elegant Trogon that nests in this area. Visitors from around the world travel to the Chiricahuas and Cave Creek Canyon to view the magnificent Elegant Trogon bird in its surroundings. This area is home to 330 species of birds which include 14 species of hummingbirds and 10 species of owls. Our expert Group Leaders will provide informative commentary along the way. We’ll then return to the lodge.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
We’ll gather to review our birding lists together. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
3
Rodeo-New Mexico, Chiricahua & Peloncillo Mountains
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Portal Peak Lodge
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 50 miles roundtrip, approximately 3 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 5 hours on our feet throughout the day; well-maintained trails.
Breakfast:
Lodge plated meal.
Morning:
Setting out from the hotel by van, we will be on the look-out for Inca Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, and Great-tailed Grackles as we ride to Rodeo. Upon arrival, we will explore the Chiricahua Desert Museum with displays of Chiricahua Desert species of wildlife. Our Group Leader and instructor will provide commentary and answer questions as we examine the exhibits. We’ll then head out to the botanical garden to take advantage of its good bird watching location. After the field trip, we’ll ride back to the lodge.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Our next field trip will take us to the Chiricahua Mountains for some mountain birding in hopes of seeing elusive Elegant Trogons. We’ll hop out of the vans upon arrival and set out on a leisurely walk with our Group Leaders searching for birds and learning about this beautiful environment.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
After reviewing our birding lists together, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
4
Cochise Lakes & Willcox Playa, Waterfowl & Shorebirds
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Portal Peak Lodge
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 150 miles roundtrip; approximately 5 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; mostly flat terrain.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will leave the Chiricahua Mountains for a scenic drive to the small historic community of Willcox, Arizona, home to famed singer/entertainer Rex Allen. Along the way to Willcox — an agricultural area attractive to many species — we’ll stop at opportune viewpoints to stretch our legs and scan the skies for birds. Upon arrival in Willcox, we’ll make our way to a local restaurant.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Willcox.
Afternoon:
Our birding field trip will continue nearby with a walk at the dry lakebed of Willcox Playa and the Cochise Lakes. A beautiful habitat, it serves as an ideal migratory stop-over for waterfowl and shorebirds such as the Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and Cinnamon Teal Duck. On our way, we’ll keep our eyes open for Chiricahua birds and hawks as we listen to commentary by our Group Leader and instructor. Next, we’ll ride to downtown Willcox for a period of independent exploration in this quaintly charming cattle ranching town. In the early afternoon, we will make the return journey to the lodge with stops along the way to look for birds.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
We will review our birding lists together. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
5
Rustler Park Full Day Field Trip, Onion Saddle, Chiricahua
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Portal Peak Lodge
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 40 miles on dirt mountain roads, approximately 4 hours riding time stops. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours on our feet; well-maintained trails. Elevation 7,500 feet.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will hop into the van and ride to Rustler Park, where we’ll begin a full day, high-elevation birding field trip. We’ll ride up the road to reach Onion Saddle, a scenic location at an elevation of 7,500 feet where several species of birds have been recorded. Species at this altitude typically include the Mexican Chickadee, Red-faced Warbler, Olive Warbler, and Red Crossbill.
Lunch:
In the field, with many birds to observe amid the natural beauty of the area, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Our high-elevation birding field trip will continue to the top of the Chiricahua Mountain in Rustler Park. Species that can be seen here may be in mixed flocks during spring and fall migrations. Above the many wildflowers that may be in bloom, these migrations may include various Townsend’s such as Hermit, Yellow-rumped, and Grace’s, as well as Olive and Red-faced Warblers. We’ll return to the lodge after our field trip.
Dinner:
At the lodge. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll review our birding list while relaxing around the dinner table. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. The clean mountain air and a full day of birding will make for a good night’s rest. Prepare for check-out and departure after our final field trip.
Day
6
Cave Creek Canyon, Program Concludes
Location:
Portal, AZ
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a van; driving about 6 miles roundtrip, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2.5 hours on our feet; maintained trails. Lodge check-out 11:30 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll return to scenic Cave Creek Canyon, an area boasting stunning vistas of the ragged cliff faces that are themselves marked with numerous caves. Nestled in the canyon, rich forest supports a diverse range of wildlife and birds including the Elegant Trogon. We could visit this magnificent area daily and never witness all the mountains have to offer. We’ll then return to the lodge for check-out.
Lunch:
At the lodge, we’ll have boxed lunches to take away. This concludes our program.
Afternoon:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
15 Meals
5 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
- Apr 27, 2025 - May 02, 2025
- May 11, 2025 - May 16, 2025
- May 25, 2025 - May 30, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
- Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 30 Reviews
Sort By:
Southeastern Arizona is a rich environment for birds. The knowledgeable guides plan a rigorous schedule that enables one to see many new birds and enjoy the beautiful area.
— Review left October 25, 2024
Spot on to experience GOD's beauty.
— Review left July 1, 2024
Enjoyed the birding tour in SE AZ. Matt and Sharon were knowledgeable about the birds in the area but their love for birds shows and combined they have a considerable amount of knowledge. They took us to diverse areas and tried really hard to make all group members feel safe and comfortable as well as get as many "lifers" as possible. And we were able to see the Elegant Trogon!! Thanks Matt and Sharon!
— Review left June 21, 2024
Good trip, with really good leaders.
— Review left June 8, 2024
The program is fun and the experience of seeing new birds and a beautiful part of the country is both rewarding and exciting.
— Review left June 8, 2024
I was a complete novice regarding birding. I now have a better understanding and appreciation for my winged friends.
— Review left June 4, 2024
Matt, our group leader on my recent birding trip was exceptional in every sense of the word. His warm and welcoming demeanor created a positive and inclusive atmosphere from the start. Throughout the trip, he made himself readily available to address any questions or concerns. His extensive knowledge of bird species and habitats greatly enriched my experience, providing valuable insights and educational moments that elevated my trip experience to a whole new level. Moreover, I felt that his leadership style fostered cohesion among the other participants, encouraging collaboration and camaraderie. He approached obstacles with a calm and collected manner, swiftly finding solutions that kept the trip running smoothly without causing any disruptions. All this while also driving, spotting birds and animals, doing all the behind the scenes coordination of meals and site visits. wow! Our assistant group leader, and subject matter expert, Sharon also truly impressed me with her exceptional knowledge of birds, reptiles and trees, quality of work, handout materials ( checklists) e- bird lists and high level of understandability.The quality of her work exceeded my expectations. Her attention to detail, knowledge and dedication to delivering the sighting of the birds to us was amazing!It was evident that Sharon has a genuine passion for sharing her expertise.
I recommend this trip to anyone interested in birding whether a beginner or life long lister ( I am a moderate) . The location is breathtaking. Take the time to find your pace with this trip as each has their own and remember to enjoy the silence of the highlands, the winds and the bird calls, which, the leaders know many of so be prepared to be awed ! I look forward to going on other birding trips with Road Scholars , and probably this one again. I met so many wonder people on this trip, and laughed a lot which is one of my highest rating measures. Just go and meld into the highlands of Southeast Arizona.
— Review left May 28, 2024
The guides were outstanding; the birds were excellent; the accommodations were rustic but fine, and clean. Food was great. 18 participants was too large a group for everyone to see every bird. A smaller group would be better.
— Review left May 20, 2024
This is a truly amazing part of Arizona and the birding is just unbelievable!
— Review left April 28, 2024
Super trip. The scenery alone is worth the trip but the birding was fantastic and you will do a lot of it! Our group had a nice mix of experienced and novice birders-we were very inexperienced- but the group leaders and other birders made everyone feel comfortable. We saw a crazy number of species. The Portal Lodge is not the Ritz but the location sort of makes you overlook its shortcomings, which aren't severe. I highly recommend.
— Review left April 28, 2024
A wonderful introduction to the ecosystem of Southern Arizona!
— Review left October 19, 2023
I was really pleased that the leaders took the time and effort to help me, a newbie, to find and identify many of the birds.
— Review left October 10, 2023
Cave Creek Canyon birding is for you if you want to see 140 plus species, including the rare Trogan, in the company of congenial folks, with fantastic knowledgeable, helpful, and personable guides.
— Review left June 5, 2023
I give this program an A+
— Review left June 4, 2023
There are an amazing variety of birds to discover in Southeast Arizona and our guides effectively helped us to see a surprising (to me) number of them. Great program which I highly recommend.
— Review left June 3, 2023
Please refer to the initial comments about the guides and overall experience.
— Review left May 15, 2023
My favorite trip! Excellent trip leaders and amazing birding locations!
Exceeding my expectations.
— Review left May 7, 2023
Outstanding program for true birders. I am not one but learned a lot because of the attitude of the leaders.
— Review left November 5, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable week at a wonderful location ; both experts were excellent , very knowledgeable and keen to ensure all participants viewed each species . Matt had been a super leader on a previous Arizona trip (Sierra Vista) and was once again his enthusiasm for the birds was magnificent. He and Sharon made a great team and being provided an e-bird listing from Sharon after each location listed was an added bonus. Highly recommended excursion with many highlights - mine were the numerous hummingbirds, the elegant trogon, tanagers and owls.
— Review left June 20, 2022
We saw a very nice selection of south eastern Arizona's specialty birds! Matt and Sharon go above and beyond.
— Review left June 14, 2022
I added more than 20 birds to my life list and saw more than 120 species on this excursion. A great trip!
— Review left June 11, 2022
This may be the best birding experience in the United States! Unparalleled diversity of species, beautiful settings, and program leadership that could not be more committed to the participant’s success, makes this a superb birding adventure.
— Review left June 4, 2022
As an avid birder, I will say that this was a super fun trip and exceeded my expectations. Matt and Malcolm did a great job assuring that everyone got to see the important birds such as the Elegant Trogon, Olive Warbler and Red-faced Warbler so many more! In all, we tallied 137 species and of these 54 were “Lifers” for me.
— Review left May 27, 2022
Birding in Portal Arizona was such fun! I enjoyed the different altitudes and habitats the location provided. It's a real birding community there and many people welcomed us to their homes which was a delight. Matt Brown is an excellent guide - truly very special!
— Review left May 16, 2022
Wonderful program for new or experienced birders. Matt and Malcomb made this trip exceptional. Some elusive birds were seen by everyone thanks to their efforts.
— Review left May 7, 2022
Care Creek Canyon and Portal is a birding hotspot and you will see birds you can't see elsewhere in the US.
— Review left June 14, 2019
The Cave Creek Canyon program to Portal, Az was outstanding. The leaders were excellent and did everything they could to make sure every member of the group had a fulfilling experience. If you have never birded SE Arizona, this is a great way to enjoy the experience.
— Review left May 31, 2019
The birding experience in Arizona with Road Scholars, was magnificent. I have never seen so many beautiful birds at one time, nor have I been around so many people who were so interesting and informative about birds. Everyone's participation enhanced the expertise of the instructors and leadership to make this trip a trip of a life time.
— Review left May 5, 2019
If you love birding, do not miss this rewarding experience with expert leaders in a very unique habitat in Arizona's Sky Islands and see rare birds!
— Review left May 4, 2019
Cave Creek Canyon Birding at Portal was a wonderful program with a talented birding leader and also an exceptional instructor. Matt and Malcolm shared their enthusiasm for birding throughout the week of field trips to various awe-inspiring habitats. My life list increased by twice the goal I had in mind. I certainly recommend this program for all level of birders.
— Review left April 21, 2019
