Chiricahua National Monument | Quick Guide to the Wonderland of Rocks

Chiricahua National Monument is a beautiful and unique off the beaten path pocket of wilderness in the southeast corner of Arizona. The area is known as a sky island – an isolated mountain range that rises above the vast surrounding sea of desert. As the elevation increases, the cacti and mesquite give way to sycamore, juniper and oak trees and eventually cypress, pines and fir. But what really stands out about Chiricahua National Monument are the amazing rock pinnacles found towering throughout the park.

These pinnacle formations began millions of years ago when ash particles from Turkey Creek Volcano melted together forming rhyolite layers. Over time, cooling and uplifting created cracks in the rhyolite layers. Erosion caused weather material to wash away and what remains are the cool spire and towering stacks of rock formations we see today.

Quick Info: Chiricahua National Monument

Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee to Chiricahua National Monument!

Visitor Center: Open daily, museum, store, restrooms

Know Before You Go: Pets are prohibited on trails except where designated. Also, there is no rock climbing or bouldering allowed.

Wildlife: Keep your eyes out for rattlesnakes, white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, coatimundi and javelina. There is also a great diversity of birds.

Things to Do at Chiricahua National Monument

• Scenic Drive
  • Bonita Canyon Drive is a beautiful eight mile scenic drive that winds through the monument up to Massai Point. Along the way, the road climbs from the desert floor along the base of the towering pinnacle formations found throughout the monument up through oaks, cypress and pines. Once at Massai Point viewpoint, experience a 360 degree view of the forested Rhyolite Canyon full of unique spires as well as the adjacent valleys and surrounding peaks. Along the scenic drive there are a number of turn offs and trailheads.
• Hiking Trails
  • Hiking at Chiricahua National Monument is an incredible way to explore the unique landscape. The trails provide great views of the pinnacle covered hillsides but also allow for hiking to and through the captivating formations. Getting up close to these towering features allows for greater perspective and appreciation.
• Camping at Chiricahua National Monument
  • Camping in Chiricahua National Monument is available at the Bonita Canyon Campground. Bonita Canyon Campground has 25 camp sites in a nice wooded setting. The campground is open year round for tents as well as trailers/rvs up to 29 feet long. Amenities at the campground include tables, grills, and restrooms with flush toilets. There is also a group campground available that accommodates 9-24 people. Camping fees are $20 a night.
• Picnic Areas and Amenities
  • Bonita Creek and Faraway areas have tables, grills and restrooms. Massai Point, Echo Canyon and Sugarloaf areas have tables and restrooms. Water is available at Faraway Ranch and the Visitor Center.

Chiricahua National Monument Hikes

Big Loop Hike

• Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: moderate
• The Big Loop Hike is an incredible series of trails combined to showcase the best of the monument’s wilderness scenery. After seeing many of the other trails, we think that the Big Loop hike is the best hike in Chiricahua National Monument. This long day hike is made up of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock and Ed Riggs trails. While hiking the Big Loop, the trail provides excellent vistas as well as up close encounters with the rock pillar formations as it traverses the canyon. If you have the time and energy, we would definitely suggest hiking the Big Loop in Chiricahua.

Bonita Creek Trail

• Distance: .5 mile
• Difficulty: easy
• Bonita Creek Trail is a very mellow, relaxing stroll along the often dry Bonita Creek. The trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch picnic areas. This is one of the few trails in the park where pets are permitted. Keep your eyes our for wildlife here. Once you reach the Faraway Ranch picnic area, there are several opportunities for lengthening the hike to a number of destinations.

Silver Spur Trail

• Distance:
  • From Faraway Ranch picnic area you can reach:
    • Faraway Ranch in 0.1 mile
    • Stafford Cabin in 0.4 miles
    • Visitor Center in 1.4 miles
• Difficulty: easy
• Silver Spur Trail is a leisure walk from the Faraway Ranch picnic area through the Faraway Ranch Historic District. Along the way you can visit and learn the history of the Faraway Ranch, Stafford Cabin and the CCC’s Silver Spur Meadow before eventually reaching the Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center. The hike itself is very mellow and a great place to spot wildlife.

Natural Bridge Trail

• Distance: 4.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Hiking Natural Bridge Trail is a great hike in the monument to find solitude and wander through the beautiful wilderness. This hike is less sought out by visitors hiking in Chiricahua National Monument. And for this one, the magic is in the journey with a simple treat at the end. If you’re not scared of putting in the miles to appreciate the wild and scenic allure of this trail then hiking Natural Bridge Trail is for you!

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

• Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: easy
• There are several trails to choose from for hiking in Chiricahua National Monument but if you’re looking for a short and sweet hike with a view, hiking Sugarloaf Mountain may be a good option for you! The short climb grants beautiful surrounding views and leads to a lookout tower atop the mountain.

Thanks for Reading!

We are always on the move and always looking for new places to see and explore! If you’d like to read about some of our other adventures we’ve encountered on the road check out the articles below:

• Waterfall Adventure on the North Yuba River
• Adventurous West Clear Creek Trail
• Backpacking Fall Creek Trail
• Hiking Grapevine Canyon

While we’re on the move, we’re also working on creating a fresh lineup of our handpainted longboards! If you’d like to see what we’ve been working on, head over to our Lost Coast Longboarding Shop.

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