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Chiricahua National Monument

5.0 (68 reviews)

Chiricahua National Monument Photos

Recommended Reviews - Chiricahua National Monument

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Deep view
James C.

Definitely a local hidden treasure. I can't believe I have lived in this area 25+ years and never visited. Don't let this be you. It's totally a car trip. Take some time to explore the visitors center and get a slight education before you venture out. Take lots of pictures and only leave some footprints on a trail. We are fortunate to have this in our backyard.

Massai Point
Natasha A.

Stunning National Park of hoodoos and balancing rocks, reminded me of a mini Bryce Canyon. We enjoyed it here, you can drive to the end, hike, camp, and there's a visitor center and gift shop with park rangers who were very nice and helpful. We got a map from them and drove to Massai Point which was beautiful, the drive and the view point.

Eva S.

Great day trip! We had a wonderful day at the Chiricahua National Monument. I was able to take lots of pics. My husband prepared our little lunch when we got to the top and our dogs had so much fun during this trip. Overall this was a very lovely trip!! The drive from Tucson was about 2 hours and the park was not very busy on this Saturday. Wonderful place to see!

Michelle R.

This is my favorite national monument by far! It's truly otherworldly - I've never seen anything like it. In some ways, it's even more impressive than the Grand Canyon. It's also AZ's best kept secret which means no crowds. It is more primitive than a national park. There is running water at the visitor center and a handful of snacks. However, no real food or drink available. It's about 30 miles to the nearest restaurant - so it's a bring your own food and water type of trip. There is virtually no cell reception in our surrounding the monument. This means that you need to know directions to get there and for leaving as you will not have reception to map your way in/out for a few miles. We hiked the Echo Canyon Loop. This hike is appropriately rated moderate and is 3.2 miles with a 557ft gain. Going counter clockwise is a must. You hike steeply into the canyon through the hoodoos and grottos. It feels like an alien planet. Once you've reached the bottom, the ascent is not as steep. It takes most people 1.5 hours, but we took our time and completed it in 2 hours and 45 minutes. This is my new favorite hike and I can't wait to go back!!

Robin S.

National Parks and Monuments invariably garner five stars from me. Chiricahua is no exception. - Wonderful park full of hoodoos. Very cool. - Nice visitor center. - If you're not able to hike, there's a good road taking you to the top where you'll be afforded great views of the park and surrounding area.

Echo Canyon Loop view
Wen C.

Chiricahua National Monument is a hidden gem as it is absolutely gorgeous, but didn't seem to have many visitors. Essentially, there was a volcanic eruption and with time and erosion, there are many cool-looking natural rock spires and formations. The Echo Canyon Loop (3.2mi) allows you to get up close and personal with the spires. It took us 1.5 hrs to hike this. If you go counter-clockwise you see the spires first, and then go to the less scenic area at the end to the parking lot. There was a fair amount of shade, but make sure to bring water! Massai Point Overlook is an area that you can drive to, park, and look around without much hiking needed. There is a small trail to an elevated area and covered shelter with some exhibits, but the view from the parking lot is plenty. The visitor center gives more information about the natural features of the area as well as the fauna and flora.

Ed T.

This review is for Echo Canyon Loop which was a ~3.2 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to complete. Extremely cold and windy! Rocky with some inclines. Stunning rock formations from beginning to end! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/EwHjPu2PLpw

Def hike this loop.
Jennifer S.

Amazing hidden gem in Arizona! Lots of great hikes to choose from. The weather in the Southwest is fantastic at this national monument.

Visitor Center
Travis T.

I can't believe this place exists in Arizona. What a cool hidden gem! Chiricahua National Monument is located around 30 miles southeast of Willcox. The whole area is a result of a volcanic eruption that happened millions of years ago. Chiricahua is known for its many stone columns called hoodoos. A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock formed by erosion. These are the same rock formations that you see in Bryce Canyon Park in Utah. Once you enter the monument and pass the visitor center, the main road is about an 8 mile drive and ends at Massai Point. Along this scenic drive are many pullouts you can stop at and a number of hiking trails. I highly suggest grabbing a paper map at the visitor center as there is hardly any Wi-Fi in the area. I also suggest driving all the way to Massai Point. The views are amazing and worth the drive over. If you want to camp, Bonita Canyon Campground is near the entrance. It has 25 sites. For hiking, there are some easy nature trails near the visitor center. I did the Echo Canyon Trailhead at Massai Point. The hike itself is easy to moderate and the views are incredible. If you want to do more longer and difficult hikes, the Ed Riggs / Mushroom Rock / Balanced Rock trails to either Inspiration Point or Heart of Rocks is a good one. Or do Lower Rhyolite Canyon / Sarah Deming trails to Heart of Rocks from the visitor center. Both will get you deep into the canyon and close to some cool rock formations. A bill was just recently passed to make Chiricahua Arizona's fourth National Park.

Awe
Keith C.

This is one of my favorite places in the world. The sights are breathtaking. The hiking is fantastic. If you get a chance, ride the bus to the top and hike back down to the visitor center. The best thing about Chiricahua is that there are no crowds. The staff is super friendly too.

Desert flower
Amanda A.

Arizona's best kept secret! Came here on a Monday morning. Hiked for 5 1/2 hours and only saw 3 other people the whole time. This place has stunning views, lots of wildlife, and is very peaceful. We started at the echo canyon parking, went down Ed Riggs trail to mushroom rock trail, inspiration point, big balanced rock, heart of loops and then back the same way to the car. The entire hike was about 8 miles. There are bathrooms at the trailheads throughout the park. The trails are well maintained and obvious where the trail is. The trails are also well marked although I don't think the miles listed on them are super accurate (unless my phone isn't). A little out of the way, but definitely worth the drive!

Turkey vulture
Paul L.

I arrived early in the morning and there was no one there. It was a quiet drive to the end of the curvy road that takes you to the top of Chiricahua for a dramatic view of the organ pipe rock formations. At this time of year, turkey vultures fly in groups overhead looking down for the next meal. Fortunately, Chiricahua still doesn't seem to have been ruined by Instagram crowds. I'm sure it's just a matter of time. For now, enjoy.

Maxine P.

One of my favorite places to hike. Breath taking views at every corner. Enter a world that could be used as a back drop for a Starwars film with all the amazing Hoodoos and rock formations. We hiked 9 miles including the Heart of rocks Trail. Make sure to do the short loop at the top which takes you through the hoodoos. Recommend walking poles, extra water on this hike. Also it does reach elevations of more than 7000 feet with a number of steps up and down. We drove in from Tucson and well worth the drive.

Echo Grotto

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3 years ago

Return trip. Same as last time- bring snacks! Hiking in winter, bring lots of layers, that wind will get you :)

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This should be a National Park and I think it's being considered. Outstanding rock formations, gorgeous camping, a big WOW!

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Hide gem of Arizona! A must do if you like to hike and see the wonders that have been created. Spring and fall may be to warm in summer

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Ask the Community - Chiricahua National Monument

Any recommendations for a camp site location?

Is there a lookout platform near or by a parking lot @ Massai Point to see the hoodoo rock wonders (especially the balancing one)? Will have our 2 fur babies in the car with us is why. Otherwise, we'd do the hike. Thanks!

Yes! No hike necessary! Drive to the top and enjoy!

Are dogs allowed in the Park?

Yes, leashed and are restricted on some trails, Echo Canyon doesn't allow dogs on it but daogs are allowed and many people hike with theirs

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Review Highlights - Chiricahua National Monument

We did not do any hiking but we did the 8 mile drive up to Massai Point and the views were spectacular.

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The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy

5.0(5 reviews)
56.5 mi

Very high on my list of places i can't wait to visit again...This 49,000 acre preserve, managed by…read morethe Nature Conservancy, offers overnight accommodations in a remote, peaceful setting. Be forewarned this is NOT a full service hotel and there is a very long list of rules/guidelines for staying here which are strictly enforced. Reservations are required WAY in advance if you hope to get a casita here, and the ranch is closed to visitors during the hot summer months due to rattlesnake activity. But (if you are still reading...) if you are pretty self sufficient, willing to pack in all of the food and drink for your stay (the nearest safeway will be an hour away down a dark, pothole filled dirt road) and in search of a rare respite completely immersed in the natural beauty of southern Arizona, then this place is well worth the journey. Muleshoe Ranch is located at the southern end of a 50 mile riparian nature preserve, at the convergence of three rivers in the Galiuro mountains. You can climb mountains, explore the terrain, hike through shady riverbeds or do all of the above in a single day. Your self guided adventures can range from an easy nature trail to a half day loop (Beth Woodin Trail, which is spectacular) or a 4 wheel drive expedition into the backcountry. The landscape changes with the seasons and at night there's some of the best stargazing you'll find anywhere. Wildlife abounds, and includes many species of hummingbirds as well as elusive troops of ring tailed coatimundi. Wildflowers are abundant in the springtime and the streambeds teem with life. The casitas (actually 4 casitas round a grassy courtyard) and a little stone house down the hill are available for overnight rental. Very comfortable accommodations with beds and fully equipped kitchens. Some of the casitas have a living/dining room area with futon sofas that convert into additional sleeping accommodations. There are plenty of little outdoor seating areas to rest and relax. There is an outdoor deck for stargazing and wildlife viewing, as well as a common room for socializing with other guests. Nearby there is a visitor center and a small gift shop which are open to day visitors during limited hours. The icing on the cake are the two outdoor natural spring fed hot (very hot!) tubs crafted from round galvanized cattle troughs, which are only available to overnight guests. Before or after a strenuous day of hiking they are heavenly! Be sure to visit the Nature Conservancy/Muleshoe website and read through all of the details about a stay at Muleshoe to decide whether it's right for you. It is a very special place off of the beaten path of tourist travel.

What an absolutely incredible find! Only 2 1/2 hours or so outside of Tucson but it feels like a…read morewhole other world! No cell phone reception and no Internet. Amazing hiking trails, gorgeous wildlife, sunsets and sunrises that take your breath away. All while talked into a nature conservancy park. So you learn all about programs they are doing to help nature. One being there incredible monarch butterfly program. The Casitas are super cute! Perfect accommodations. Each has a bathroom, a little kitchen, and usually seating either on the front patio or back patio. Hot water was perfect and the septic system worked very well. And don't forget to pack your swimsuit-they have hot tubs that you can sit in. And I haven't heard if you get up early enough sitting in them to watch the sunrise is well worth the early morning alarm!

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The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy

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Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park

4.5(323 reviews)
59.4 mi

First rule of the cave.. no pictures lol. Hence, no pictures are attached. They say it's because of…read moreaccidents reported from people not paying attention. Also, basically nothing is allowed in the cave. They had lockers that takes quarters but as far as I saw, no machine, you have to exchange with cash soooo prepare ahead. Leaving things in the car felt some what okay but not my favorite. I would appreciate if they had more security. They say they are not government funded so everything comes from public support. This was such a cool experience. You can tell the amount of work and detail they've put into the cave and preserving it. Truly different than other caves I've been to. There are two different parts of the cave you can choose from. If you can't do both my preference was the big room tour. I felt there was more to it, more things to see. Also, (sorry parents) perhaps the age limit made it more enjoyable too. Our tour guide Charles was INCREDIBLE. We did both tours back to back 0945 big room tour and 12 rotunda. Timing was perfect. Enough time to use the restroom and eat a snack. We brought our snacks, their cafe was closed. It would be an enjoyable experience to eat a packed lunch outside not sure if it's 100% allowed. Beginning of April was a GORGEOUS day. There's a McDonald about 12 min away. The big room tour is a man made/marked out, well paved easy walk/route. If you're worried about endurance or handiaccesible, it seems very accessible. The rotunda seemed a bit more incline but still well paved. You can wear white shoes and you wouldn't get dirty lol. I don't recommend open toes shoes/sandals because the Floor is very moist/wet. BOOK AHEAD. At least 2 weeks ahead to get the slots you want. If you're by yourself then a lot easier. It sells out quickly Restrooms were very clean and plentiful. As you wait for your tour guide before taking the tram to the cave there are another set of restrooms so that's appreciated. They want you to get there 30 min before. There really wasn't anything much to do ahead, it's just a simple check in. They have a mini museum that's nice to look around. You can get some good pictures outside prior or after the tour. Are both caves a must see, my bf says yes. I'm in between. If I would go back I would choose the big room tour again but that also has limited time opening due to the bats. As an AZ local or visiting this is a very enjoyable spot

As much as I love going underground and at this point have about 15 caves explored in AZ under my…read morebelt, I only finally made it to this one this weekend. Our caving group was having our winter conference here and it was really nice to use the visitor center's auditorium for our all day presentations. I learned about the invertebrates that live in caves, herpetology, bats and lots of other really fun topics about caves! Auditorium was very comfortable and all the IT worked great and the projector and acoustics were perfect. Seats also very comfortable. Later that day, some of us signed up for the headlamp tour of the Big Room that started at 5:30pm, which is only offered on Saturdays in the fall/winter. I was able to use my own headlamp and helmet. This tour is $50 and the price is higher than their regular tours, which is $30 for adults and all the lights in the cavern are on. The tour was good and I'm glad the proceeds of my ticket go to support this park. Phones aren't allowed into the cavern, so I took no pics. We also stayed in one of the 4 cabins on the campgrounds and it was fabulous. Cabin was super cozy and can sleep 6, one bed and two bunk beds. Cabins also come with a dining table, microwave and small fridge. Bathrooms right across from the cabin. Porch on the front and also a picnic table available. Fire pit also available. I had firewood but we could not make a fire because of rain. This was definitely glamping! And it was lovely. I would definitely do this again. Saw some fun turkeys too! A few things to note here, there is a Bat Cave Cafe on site open 11am - 2pm, however, it was difficult to get anything here as there was only one person working and a lot of us here. I brought my lunch from home. Night headlamp tour was fun but for $50, not sure how it differs from the day tours. But, do know that AZ state taxes don't go to supoort this park, so your tour ticket supports this park, so I can be OK with that. Its pretty amazing that two college students crawled their way thru a 10-12 inch sinkhole and then found this place! I am still in awe of this amazing discovery! And this is well before all the fancy equipment was available like lidar to help with uncovering new caves. And, once these guys, Tufts and Tenen found this cavern in 1974, they kept it a secret for awhile to protect against vandalism and damage. And in 1999, the cavern was open to the public. As someone who deeply loves caves, seeing this place was like one of the best sojourns for me! Im so glad I came to see this show cave! And please, let's all do our part to make sure caves are conserved so we can all enjoy them for a long time to come.

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Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Caverns State Park

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Whitewater Draw - Free scopes with metal chairs, West Platform. Saw deer from here too

Whitewater Draw

4.9(14 reviews)
37.2 mi

Super cool place to visit seasonally- especially if you are a birder. Highly recommend coming here…read morein the early winter to witness the magnificent Sandhills cranes on their migration path... apparently some end up in Siberia (how cool is that!!). Websites say to come early morning and in the late evening... however two years in a row I have witnessed the cranes return around 11-1pm to their roosting site and witnessing the hundreds of cranes descent is a marvel. Apart from the Sandhills cranes (in season)- the terrain in the area also allow the opportunity to capture sightings of other wildlife, waterfowl, birds and plants. Wear appropriate shoes if visiting after a rain. The last 2.5 mile drive to the location is on gravel/ some washboard road. Here is the extra extra bonus apart from witnessing beautiful nature... it's free. Plus restrooms available (albeit porta pottty/ pit style).

You have to visit the Sandhill cranes during their journeys to and from migration. It is an…read moreincredible thing to see thousands of birds, and when they take off in groups of V-formations heading out with dozens of V's going into the sky, it is wonderful. Check the time of year to make sure you come during the migration times. This resting wildlife habitat is located in the middle of nowhere with only farmlands surrounding the area. It is close to Sierra Vista, Ft Huachuca and Tombstone. If you are in the area for the migration period, then you have to come and see. Mornings and evenings are the best times because you will be there when they take off, but even if you come while they are on the ground you will be amazed. There are also other migratory birds as well and finding and identifying them is also interesting. This is a rural site coming onto a dirt road with almost no amenities. There is a parking area, with what appears to be a limited dry camp location for birders. Then a couple of hundred feet away is the parking area for day use where you can then walk to the various water sites. You should see the birds as you pull in. There are two pit toilets, bring your own TP and hand sanitizer just in case. No food nearby, bring it in and take out your trash. If you live in Southern AZ it is worth the day trip. Me and wife came on a whim after hearing the birds were still there leaving Tucson around 1pm and we stayed until about 6pm after the cranes took flight. About an 90 minute drive one way depending on where you are in Tucson.

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Whitewater Draw
Whitewater Draw - 0730hrs 1/23/25. est 15k cranes @Draw + same @Cochise Lake, Willcox.Less h20 this yr = less birds bc h20 fill pipe is blocked.

0730hrs 1/23/25. est 15k cranes @Draw + same @Cochise Lake, Willcox.Less h20 this yr = less birds bc h20 fill pipe is blocked.

Whitewater Draw

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Cochise Stronghold - Sleepy orange sulphur butterfly

Cochise Stronghold

4.6(5 reviews)
36.0 mi

I hike the Cochise Trail ever few years. There's a lot to see here: rock formations, vistas,…read morebirds, insects and rattlesnakes, and is a challenging hike of ten miles. I usually start this from the west side, driving through Tombstone and taking Middlemarch road north of town for nine miles before turning north on a forest road. This road is a dirt road that gets very rutted the last two miles as it follows a dry wash. This wash fills into a creek during active monsoon season, so a high-clearance vehicle is necessary. Unlike the east side, parking and dry camping on the west side is free. The trail climbs immediately for 1.75 miles before hitting the western Stronghold and from here it's a gradual descent to the eastern trailhead and campground. The only source of water is at Halfmoon tank, a cattle pond about halfway up or down the trail, depending on which direction you start this hike. Lots of butterflies were in the area in September. During active monsoon season, the creek will run and the waterfall on the western side is a sight to behold. My hiking party rests here near the restrooms before returning the way we came. There was no water in the campground last month when I last did this hike. Dogs are allowed The only negative thing about this hike is its remoteness and accessibility. From Sierra Vista it's a two-hour drive each way. Add another five miles for the hike and it's a day-long adventure.

Well we came yesterday to get out of town and visit the dragoon hills…read more This campground is officially closed to all but hikers. They say mountain bikes are permitted but we are riders and I think the trails are too narrow. And slots where you can t pedal. I say hike. So no parking, bathrooms or camping or potable water. But you can park outside the gates. A few did, like us. Since we are new to the site, we only went to the water tank. Lots of shade along the way. Caves. Huge Rock formations. Hawks circling above hunting. Butterflies, BlueJays. Lots to see. I m going to go back while the weather is still cool. It is normally Officially Closed July to September due to extreme temps. Great to use your imagination about where the Apache's would have hidden in wait to protect the Stronghold.

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Cochise Stronghold - Turpentine Bush. In flower everywhere in early November.

Turpentine Bush. In flower everywhere in early November.

Cochise Stronghold
Cochise Stronghold - Lots if lizards to be seen

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Lots if lizards to be seen

Chiricahua National Monument - hiking - Updated May 2026

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