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Published on August 15, 2024. Last Updated on March 14, 2026.
Have you ever visited a place that feels like a hidden gem? A place that not a lot of people know about or visit but it is amazing? That’s exactly how we felt when we visited Chiricahua National Monument in Southeast Arizona. This national monument offers stunning rock formations, scenic hikes, and a peaceful retreat in nature. Join us as we share our 5 simple tips for visiting Chiricahua National Monument.
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We visited Chiricahua National Monument on a Sunday in early September – the Sunday before Labor Day to be exact. Rather than a longer vacation for the holiday, we opted for a day trip and a hiking adventure. It was a nice day trip from Tucson.
The details: Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument is located at 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643. But don’t let the address fool you. Although the address says that Chiricahua National Monument is in Willcox, it is about a 40 minute drive southeast from the town. The park is open year round and there is no entry fee. For the most up-to-date information, visit the website.
Fun Fact! The word Chiricahua comes from the Opata word Chihuicahui which means mountain of the wild turkey. The Opata language, once spoken in present-day southeast Arizona north central Sonora, in an extinct language.
Our visit to Chiricahua National Monument
We love hiking. Busy, but wanting to do a quick family getaway before Buddy’s school and performance schedules swung into full gear, as a family we decided to do a quick hiking day trip. Having driven by the brown and white road sign that reads “Chiricahua National Monument” on Interstate 10 for years without turning, we decided now was our chance to visit.
For some context, my hometown is Albuquerque, NM and we drive that stretch of I-10 where you exit to go to Chiricahua National Monument several times a year. But as we are always focused on getting to New Mexico, we did not stop to visit. Until now.
Given that it is still hot in Southern Arizona in early September, we decided to head out early. We left our house in Tucson around 6:30 am and arrived at the trailhead at 8:45am. We finished our hike at 11:15am and then headed to the Visitor Center to look around. After that, we took the long way home, driving through the desert on Arizona’s highways rather than taking I-10. We arrived back in Tucson at 2:15pm with lots of time left in the day.
One thing that we missed during our short day trip was a guided tour of Faraway Ranch and camping. But Chiricahua National Monument looked like an incredible place to camp and is on our short list for future camping.
5 Simple Tips for visiting Chiricahua National Monument
1. Take a hike
Chiricahua National Monument is an excellent place to hike. There is no better way to experience the incredible rock formations in the park than with a hike. The park offers 14 different hiking trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous. Some of the trails allow pets and others do not. So if you are bringing your dog (or cat!), make sure to refer to the Chiricahua hiking guide to see which trails are pet friendly.
Additionally, the park offers a free hiker shuttle to two of the park’s trailheads: Massai Point and Echo Canyon. The shuttle runs seasonally (September through April) and picks up hikers from two points in the park. Faraway Ranch parking lot is the first pick up point and the shuttle stops there at 9am. Next stop for the shuttle are the Bonita Canyon Campground restrooms with pick up at 9:10am. The shuttle does not require reservations.
Fun Fact! You can earn an I Hike for Health Pin when you hike in the park if you hike a minimum of 5 miles, take a selfie on the trail and share it with a ranger at the visitor center.
When we visited Chiricahua National Monument we hiked Echo Canyon Loop. Echo Canyon Loop is a 3.3 mile trail loop on the Echo Canyon, Hailstone, and Ed Riggs Trails. We hiked the trail counterclockwise and it took us about two and half hours to complete. We stopped along to take photos and take in the scenery. The scenic views of the rock formations were spectacular! This place is truly a hidden gem!
Pro tip: There is no cell phone service on the trails. Make sure to bring a paper map or download your maps before arriving at the park.
2. Reserve your campsite online in advance
For those looking to extend their stay at Chiricahua National Monument, consider camping. The park offers both tent and RV camping options with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. Waking up to the sunrise over the rock formations is a truly magical experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Bonita Canyon Campground campsite reservations are online only so if you are going to visit, book your site in advance. Campsites are $20/night and the busiest times are spring and fall, so book your campsite early.
Pro Tip: Chiricahua National Monument is mountain lion and bear country. Keep your campsite clean and use the food storage boxes at the campsite.
Admittedly, we did not camp when we visited Chiricahua National Monument. So we don’t have first hand experience camping at Bonita Canyon Campground, yet. The campground is on our shortlist, despite the bears and mountain lions! We look forward to sharing even more tips when we camp.
But, the campground looked beautiful. And if you are driving all the way to the park and want to stay the night, we wanted to make sure you reserved your campsite early.
3. Take a drive
Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive in Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona is beautiful! The drive goes from the riparian area near the campground and culminates at Massai Point with a stunning view of Rhyolite Canyon’s towering rock formations.
When we visited Chiricahua National Monument, we did the Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive as a part of our day hike adventure. We drove up to Massai Point after our hike. After taking in the views, we sat down at a picnic table to eat lunch before finishing the scenic drive.
4. Be mindful of wildlife
As you embark on your adventure to Chiricahua National Monument, it is important to remember to respect the creatures that call this place home. The park is home to bears, mountain lions, and snakes, so make sure to take proper precautions to ensure both your safety and theirs. Be mindful of possible wildlife encounters while camping and hiking.
When camping, always dispose of your food and trash properly to avoid attracting wildlife. Make sure to use the bear boxes at the campsite. When hiking, consider bringing bear spray or a bear bell to warn animals of your approach. And be aware of any snakes you may encounter on the trail.
Chiricahua National Monument is also home to skunks, coati, and the gray fox. And lots of lizards.
When we visited Chiricahua National Monument, the only wildlife we saw were lizards and birds! And there were a lot of cute lizards on the trail.
5. Visit Willcox
If you drive all the way to the hidden gem that is Chiricahua National Monument and you have some time to spare, visit Willcox. This charming Arizona town is home to the Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum. Willcox is also home to Apple Annie’s, which is a place where you can pick your own produce. If you visit in the fall, Apple Annie’s has a pumpkin patch and corn maze, which is super fun! Willcox is also home to a few wineries, barbeque restaurants, and the Chiricahua Regional Museum.
Fun Fact! Rex Allen grew up on a homestead just 40 miles north of Willcox.
During this trip, we did not stop at Willcox, but we have visited many times. We are big fans of Apple Annie’s and go to pick peaches or pumpkins almost every year. And we have dined at Big Tex BBQ as well. The museums are next on our list!
What to bring
What you want to bring to Chiricahua National Monument depends on what you are going to do at the park and how long you are going to stay.
If you are camping, we have a complete car camping packing list for you!
If you are hiking or visiting for a picnic and scenic drive, these are the items we recommend. Make sure to add to this as you see fit!
- Lots of water and a refillable water bottle. We always carry extra gallons of water in our car.
- Snacks
- A cooler and a picnic lunch. We use these collapsible meal kits and reusable sandwich bags when we hike.
- Hand sanitizer or Wet Ones to clean your hands before lunch or after using a vault toilet
- Hiking backpack
- Sunscreen, a hat, lip balm, a light jacket with UPF, and moisture wicking clothing (most of my stuff is from Stitch Fix).
- Bug spray. Especially if you plan on hiking in and around the Gila River.
- Bear spray and a loud bell in case you encounter any wildlife. There are bears and mountain lions in the area. A simple first aid kit, a whistle that also has a compass and thermometer, a pocket knife. And a hiking backpack to carry it all.
- Offline maps
- Toilet paper and/or Tissues because you never know when you might need some
- A sharpie and a pen, because you never know when you might need them.
- And your Passport to Your National Parks book so you can get your stamp!
And for your car:
A Teenager’s Perspective
Chiricahua National Monument was awe-inspiring. The rocks are very interesting to see, with all of the different designs that nature offers. I enjoyed the hike and the drive.
If you are a teenager that likes hiking and nature, this will be a great place for you. If you are a teenager who is driving, it might be a fun road trip to take with your parents.
Chiricahua National Monument Fast FAQs
1. Is Chiricahua National Monument worth visiting?
In our opinion yes! The stunning rock formations are stunning and this park is not packed at all! It truly is a hidden gem!
2. How much time do you need at Chiricahua National Monument?
It depends on what you want to see and do and from how far away you are visiting. From Tucson, Willcox or Lordsburg, NM, this is a fun and easy day trip. If you are traveling in from farther out, you may want to spend the night camping at the park or at a hotel in nearby Willcox.
3. What is the best time of year to visit Chiricahua National Monument?
Spring and fall are ideal times due to milder temperatures. It does get cold and sometimes snow during the winter. And during the summers it is very hot and there are chances of severe thunderstorms in the late summer.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Chiricahua National Monument is an unforgettable experience that showcases Arizona’s natural beauty at its finest. From scenic hikes to breathtaking vistas, this hidden gem offers something special for every traveler. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for an adventure in one of America’s most hidden national monuments!
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Are you planning a trip to Chiricahua National Monument? What are you favorite hidden gems? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences and look forward to connecting with you.
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If you enjoyed reading this, check out these blog posts!
- Travel Made Easy: Tips for Visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings
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Hello! We are Yvonne & Buddy and we create family travel blogs based on firsthand knowledge and experiences of a destination. Our goal is to inspire teens, parents, and families to share time together engaging in new experiences whether the destination is near or far from home. Come join us on our travels!
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