Could this be the next National Park? Spend a day in Chiricahua National Park and you’ll be mesmerized by the incredible landscape there. With tall hoodoos that sprawl out over the landscape, abundant wildlife wandering the area, and a deep history here. You need to add this national monument to your bucket list!
Recently, Congress has been working on a bill that would make Chiricahua the next National Park. 😮 If that goes through, then I’m sure more people will visit. So, make sure to visit before the crowds arrive!
My husband and I visited Chiricahua this past visitor and we were blown away 🤯 by the landscape! It was like we had walked into a different planet and everywhere we turned there were incredible formations. We kept staring in awe at these fantastic rock formations and marveled at the beauty of it all.
Chiricahua is a wonderful place to go on a day trip or overnight camping expedition. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Chiricahua in a day including the best time to go, where to stay, and what to do. I hope you’ll love this national monument as much as I did!
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Chiricahua National Monument Guide
What is Chiricahua National Monument?
Chiricahua is in Southeastern Arizona just a couple hours away from Tucson and 3.5 from Phoenix. You’ll find this monument in the Chiricahua Mountains with elevations starting at 5000 feet above sea level.
27 million years ago, a huge volcanic eruption occurred 🌋 and covered the area in volcanic ash. It hardened and overtime it created these unique rhyolite hoodoos that cover the landscape today. Today, the monument protects these fantastic hoodoos as well as the historic Faraway Ranch.
How Do I Get to Chiricahua?
Chiricahua is just a few hours away from the Phoenix airport and a couple from Tucson. So, if you’re trying to plan a trip from out of state, then you can fly into the airports, rent a car, and then drive to Chiricahua.
Directions from Tucson are fairly simple. All you need to do is take the I-10 West for 80 miles until you get to the exit for AZ 186 East, where you’ll continue for 30 miles. Before, taking one final turn onto AZ 181 East. After about 3 miles you’ll see signs for the monument.
When is the Best Time to Go to Chiricahua?
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Like many destinations in Arizona, the best time to visit Chiricahua is in the early Spring or late Fall. During those seasons, the weather is mild and the trails are perfect for hiking.
During the summer, temperatures are often in the 100s 🥵 and the heat is unbearable. If you plan on visiting during the summer months, you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of water to stay hydrated. While winter can be cold with ice and snow covering the ground at higher elevations. We went in January and we had to wear our winter jackets while exploring!
Where Should I Stay in Chiricahua?
Things are really far from Chiricahua, so the best option for most people is to camp in the Bonita Canyon campground. ⛺️ This campground is right in the park near the visitor center and you can book it online in advance. If you miss out on booking a spot, there are free campgrounds nearby.
However, the closest town to Chiricahua is Willcox, Arizona. But, the hotels there are mostly small motels and inns. I truly recommend either camping or doing a day trip from Tucson if you want a hotel!
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Chiricahua National Monument does not have an entrance fee. However, if you have an annual pass like the America the Beautiful pass, then you can get a discount on camping there!
☀️ The sun can be incredibly strong in Arizona, so make sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen for your trip!
⛈ Monsoon season is from early June to early Fall. So, just look in the forecast for thunderstorms. They can be severe and cause flash flooding.
🚌 There is a shuttle at the visitor center that will drop visitors off at Echo Canyon or Masai Point. Shuttles begin at 9 am.
⛺️ Bonita Canyon campground is the only campsite in the monument. You can book it in advance on recreation.gov!
🐿 Chiricahua has plenty of wildlife including coatis, deer, and javelinas. Make sure to keep a distance from wildlife and do not feed them!
🦮 Pets are permitted in certain areas at Chiricahua. Dogs must be on a leash and are allowed on the lower canyon trails between the campground, visitor center, and entrance station. They are permitted on the Silver Spur Trail, Faraway Ranch Trail and in the campground as well.
⚠️ Vehicles longer than 24 feet are not allowed past the visitor center on Bonita Canyon Drive. However, vehicles under 29 feet are still allowed to camp at Bonita Campground all vehicles longer must be parked at Faraway Ranch.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
One Day in Chiricahua
Visit Faraway Ranch
Faraway Ranch is a historical ranch that was owned by Swedish immigrants, Neil and Emma Erickson. They settled on this 160 acre area of land. Today, you can still visit this ranch and see where they raised their three children and lived for many years.
The family developed a guest ranch that they rented out called Faraway Ranch. They ran it for many years until the area became a national monument. The National Park Service runs tours of the ranch that you can book. Unfortunately, the ranch was undergoing restoration when we went, so we couldn’t do a tour, but you can see if they are here.
Spot the Coatis
Stop in the Visitor Center after you stop at Faraway Ranch to get a lay of the land. There, you can pick up a map or learn about the wildlife in the park! One of the coolest things about Chiricahua is that they have coatis.
Coatis are most active during the day and are commonly spotted in fall and winter.
Coati are cute animals that are in the same family as the raccoon. These animals are adorable and you can often see them around the lower elevations near the Visitor Center. Walk down the Silver Spur Meadow Trail or hang at Bonita Canyon Campground and you may get lucky enough to spot them!
Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive
Once you’ve seen the areas at the lower elevations, it’s time to continue further up the mountain. Take the 8 mile long Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive past trees and gorgeous rock formations to the top at Massai Point! There are plenty of beautiful pullouts with incredible views of the hoodoos.
However, we chose to take the detour to Echo Canyon first before continuing all the way to the top. I recommend doing that if you plan on doing a hike and are short on time!
Hike Echo Canyon
Echo Canyon is an incredible trail 🥾 that takes you into the heart of the hoodoos and incredible rock formations of Chiricahua. The best way to enjoy this trail is to go counter clockwise to take in incredible panoramic views over the area.
We were truly blown away by the beauty of this area and we loved this trail! We kept stopping to marvel at the wonderful scenery. It was the perfect way to see the monument. Plus, if you’re short on time, you can just hike the first mile or so and then turn around!
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 550 feet of gain
Type: Loop
Length: 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Watch Sunset at Massai Point
From there, you’ll finally continue up the Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive to the very top of the road at the National Monument- Massai Point. From this vantage point, you can enjoy 360 degree views 🤩 over the hoodoos and mountains beyond.
Take in the rhyolite rocks as they spread out stopping just before the wide open Sulphur Springs Valley. It’s truly a sight to behold and it’s the perfect spot to end the day. Enjoy watching the sunset over the area to take in the wonderful landscapes below!
Final Thoughts on Chiricahua National Monument
Get to Chiricahua National Monument before it becomes a national park and beat the crowds! I was seriously blown away by the incredible rock pinnacles and the unique scenery in this area. Plan ahead and you’ll have the perfect day in Chiricahua!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide!
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Your site is very informative. I had never heard of this place until someone told me about it earlier today. I went online and found your site and found it very helpful. We will visit. (I have already been to all 50 states!)
That’s amazing! I hope you enjoy your time there
One note: I think mean southeastern Arizona, not southwestern. 🙂