Madera Canyon, Protected canyon and archaeological site in Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.

Madera Canyon is a protected canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains with wooded ravines, streams, and diverse ecosystems across different elevations. The area offers numerous trails for various skill levels and provides access to picnic areas and visitor facilities.

Madera Canyon was originally named White House Canyon after a white adobe house built there in the late 1870s or early 1880s by a sheepherder named Walden; Theodore Wellish and his family later used it as a summer retreat. In 1905 the canyon and the Santa Rita Mountains became part of the new National Forest System. Earlier, in the 1870s, the Pennington family lived in the area, and Josephine Peak is named for their daughter Josephine.

The name Madera Canyon replaced White House Canyon in the early 1900s, after a white adobe house built by a sheepherder named Walden in the late 1870s or early 1880s; some locals still use the old name. Birders gather here for over 256 documented species, including fifteen kinds of hummingbird and the elegant trogon.

Madera Canyon lies on the northwest face of the Santa Rita Mountains, about 25 miles southeast of Tucson within Coronado National Forest. The canyon descends through four life zones, from cactus desert at the mouth to fir and aspen on Mount Wrightson, so temperatures drop noticeably as you climb. Trails, campsites and picnic areas are spread along the canyon road.

Madera Canyon was first called White House Canyon, after a white adobe house built in the late 1870s or early 1880s by a sheepherder named Walden; Theodore Wellish and his family later used it as a summer retreat. Some locals still use the old name.