The Sonora River gives it's name to the region of north central
Mexico in the state of Sonora. The river rises just south
of Cananea and courses south on the western side of the Sierra
Madre Occidental. The is 250 miles (402 kilometers) long river
flows south the south west to the city of Hermosillo and the
Abelarado L. Rodriguez reservoir. Before the Dam was built,
the river reached the Sea of Cortez.
The Rio Sonora provides a refuge for many birds and animals
in the desert, making this area's riparian habitat a spectacular
place for birding.
The river also provides irrigation water that brought the
Opata, the area's original inhabitants, and sustains the farming
and ranching communities today.
But more than that, the Rio Sonora creates a special place
of mountain peaks, broad valleys and steep canyons.
The Ruta del Rio Sonora, (shown on maps as both Sonora highway
118 and highway 089) from Cananea to Ures is your gateway
to this magical land. In the center of this ribbon of silver
is Banámichi. Join us here for an unforgettable visit.
Towns of the Rio Sonora
Urés - founded in
1644 and capital of Sonora between 1838 and 1842, and between
1847 and 1879. In Ures you can visit “La Plaza de Armas”
with its four 18th century bronze sculptures, San Miguel Mission
and the church bearing the same name with its legendary mesquite
stairway. .
Baviacora - founded in 1639 displays colonial
architecture and two beautiful churches, the newer build along
side the old.
Aconchi's - main attraction is the hot spring
pools west of town. The park is nicely developed and easy
to get to. The San Pedro Church features 18th century Franciscan
architecture and a legendary Black Christ. Anchonchi is also
home to a number of furniture factories.
Huepac - founded in 1644 features the old
mission of San Lorenzo de Huepac dating from the 18th century.
The city hall features what is believed to be one of the original
copies of the Mexican Declaration of Independence and a bone
from a woolly mammoth that was found nearby.
Banámichi - Dating from 1639, features
a beautiful temple and a plaza with a kiosk bring to mind
a feeling of colonial times. An antique stone, carved by the
Opata Indians; is diplayed n a statue of Opata warriors bearing
the rock on their shoulders. Banamichi is also the home to
a nascent movment to revive and restore the original Colonial
Adobe buildings in town.
Arizpe - Founded in 1646 is where the topography
becomes more mountainous. Arizpe was the capital of Northern
New Spain which encompassed all of the American Southwest,
California and Texas. The bones of Juan de Anza, founder of
San Francisco, California are interred in under glass in the
floor of the Asunción church.
