A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Kent Springs Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Coronado National Forest, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. 5,341 feet. 14.1 miles from Patagonia.

Managed by
Forest Service Coronado National Forest
Elevation
5,341 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 cabin electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Kent Springs Cabin is located in the Madera Canyon Recreation Area, 15 miles southeast of Green Valley, Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. Located in an area boasting unique natural features and historical sites, the secluded and private cabin is an ideal location for guests seeking relaxation and recreation although less than an hour from Tucson.

Recreation

Madera Canyon hiking trails are well-known throughout the Southwest, and vary from paved, accessible trails and gentle walking paths to steep, strenuous trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson. Madera Canyon is also touted as one of the country's most revered birding areas. With fifteen species of hummingbirds, the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, the Flame-colored Tanager, 36 species of wood warblers, and over 256 documented bird species, the area is a birder's paradise.

Facilities

With 1,500 square feet of indoor space, including two bedrooms, one full bathroom, two living rooms, and a fully-equipped kitchen, the Kent Springs Cabin accommodates up to 8 people comfortably. It also has a large deck overlooking a creek, and parking is available on site. Sleeping accommodations include a queen bed, a twin over double bunk bed, a roll-away single bed, and a double futon couch. The kitchen is equipped with an electric range/oven, refrigerator, and microwave. There is a large dining table with benches, and a fireplace in the large living room. The cabin is largely barrier-free to provide access to more visitors.

Although the cabin has several amenities, guests must also provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. The Forest Service is unable to provide firewood and propane for the outdoor grill at this time, but guests are welcome to bring their own. Please note that the indoor fireplace is not maintained for use.

Natural Features

Kent Springs Cabin is located in the heart of Madera Canyon within the Santa Rita Mountains. Spanning four life zones and several ecosystems between desert and mountain peaks, the area has become a well-known "sky island," supporting abundant and biologically diverse plant and animal communities. The area supports a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed and mule deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, and squirrels. Black bear, Coati, foxes, ring-tailed cats, bobcats, and mountain lion are more elusive. Sixteen species of bats have been recorded in the canyon.

It is recommended that visitors wear appropriate clothing and use insect repellent; July through October is chigger season.

Nearby Attractions

The cabin is located less than a half-hour from Green Valley and within an hour of Tucson and Nogales, Arizona. Attractions within an hour drive include the Mining Museum, Titan Missile Museum, Whipple Observatory, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, San Xavier Mission, historic Tubac, and Tumacacori National Historical Park.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • interpretive programs
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Kent Springs Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.