chiricahua national monument

Do the park into days...Echo canyon trail day one the the 7.3 from the top to the visitor center. Side short hike to Inspiration a must, stop for lunch and enjoy the view.

This was a great place for hiking. The rock formations were spectacular. The restrooms near the VC were modern and clean!

A jewel of a site that few people know about. It was worth a special trip just to go there. Great photo ops!

In my opinion this park is very much worth the 30-some miles off the freeway. You can spend as much or little time as you like. There's an historic ranch with a family cemetery, a very nice and informative visitor center, and then the wonderland of rocks. While driving to and fro Masai Point, it's hard to take your eyes off the hoodoos, but watch for wildlife. The deer are abundant, and we've even seen many coatimundis on the creek side of the road. The views are spectacular from the Chiricahuas to the Dragoons. This is one of my favorite places to visit in the island mountains of Arizona, and I'm planning a trip back before the end of the month. This is a great trip for the whole family. Best of all, the park day fees have been abolished! The camping fees are minimal.

A February trip with temps in the 60s and sunshine was perfect for this adventure hiking amongst carved rock pillars and sculptured canyons. First time visitors should begin at the visitors center where informative displays and very helpful rangers guide you to appropriate hikes for the time and interest you have on your visit. There are a number of 1-2 hour options as well as 4-5 for those swift and steady on their feet. People with mobility issues can still appreciate the beauty of this area by taking the park road to its summit and viewing from the overlooks. Be sure to have water as once you leave the parking lot there's none to be found. While hiking poles are not necessary, they will come in handy. The CCC in the 1930s did a wonderful job of laying out trails, building steps, and creating this national park. Great place for kids! No fee with National Parks pass. A one-way shuttle is available at 8:30 in the morning to take you to the summit from which you can hike back to your car.

Some of the best places to visit are a bit off the beaten path. Such is the case with Chiricahua NM. We took the Echo Canyon loop trail, a fairly easy hike that takes you by some very impressive views of the pinnacles. We had been advised at the visitor center to follow the trail in a counter-clockwise direction, and found that to be wise advice. Fabulous views! Check out the hike particulars at http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1297.

We did not have time to hike and we're not dressed for the cold so only drive through but no disappointed people here. Really unusual rock formations. . Want to go back and really enjoy it. Cochise mountain was really neat!

I've visited Chircahua several times previously for camping and hiking. Spent a day there in February, 2015 for mostly photography purposes. (We're both hobbyists.) We were fortunate to have a warm (60s with little wind) and sunny day, because February can still bring snow and cold temperatures to Chiricahua. We of course stopped at the visitor center first, and then drove the park road to the end to enjoy the views at Massai Point. Although we could have started our hike from there, we instead drove back to the Echo Canyon parking area and hiked the Echo Canyon Loop Trail. It's ideal for somebody on a day-trip, because it's just slightly over three miles but will take you through a good part of these fascinating rocks and give a perspective you can't get from the viewpoints. As is just about always the case, you'll gain a much greater appreciation of the area if you can leave the car and experience even a little of it on foot. We had a terrific hike, got lots of good photos, and enjoyed lunch on the trail. For hikers, an alternative is to take a free park shuttle that leaves the vc at about 8:30 to one of the trailheads at or near the end of the road, and then hike back down to your car. That hike can range for about four to eight miles, depending on the route chosen, and is largely downhill. As we were leaving the park, we took time to make a quick stop at the Faraway Ranch, an early-1900s guest ranch. We did a walk-around for photos and an overview; the ranch is occasionally open for tours by the NPS, although I've never timed my visit to take one. Certainly worth a stop. It was a long day (driving two hours in each direction and about six hours in the park) but Chiricahua is definitely worth the time.

I have been to this attraction twice, once in early December and most recently in late February. The Monument was practically deserted in early December but quite busy in February. First let me state the obvious: This is a National Monument and not a National Park. As such, it does not have as many services as a National Park (although the services it does provide are quite good). Second, I would like to say that I would rate this attraction as "excellent" if it were more accessible to those with mobility impairments. I do understand the financial limitations of the NPS and I'm certainly grateful for what access there is. I have been to MANY of the National Parks and Monuments. In my opinion, this attraction is most similar to Bryce Canyon with its rocky canyons of pinnacles and rock formations. The rhyolite rock at Chiricahua is gray (often with green lichen) so maybe not as stunning as the red rocks of Bryce, but the landscape is similar. Chiricahua is a remote location in the mountains of SE Arizona. The easiest access is from I-10 at the town of Willcox; take exit 340 for Rt. 186 and follow it about 40 miles southeast to the monument. Route 186 is a 2-lane but well-maintained highway and it's a scenic drive. You will pass the (dirt) road to Ft. Bowie National Historic Site, so you may want to consider adding a stop to your itinerary (see separate reviews). I suggest that the best times to visit are the spring and fall months. Summer will be extremely hot and dry until the monsoon starts (July & August), then there will be dangerous storms that can cause flooding and muddy conditions. Winters are mild in Arizona, but there are parts of the Monument that reach 7000 ft. in elevation so it will be colder than the surrounding area and it can snow. If possible, try to time your visit for a day when skies are clear to get the best views. When you arrive, stop at the visitor center for a map and information. The rangers are friendly and helpful, and there is a restroom, picnic tables and gift shop there. If you only have a couple of hours, or are mobility impaired, you can still get a good look at the amazing scenery by taking the scenic 8-mile drive through the steep-walled Bonita Canyon to Massai Point. From there you will be able to overlook canyons full of pinnacles and rock formations, and survey hundreds of miles of the surrounding countryside. There is a restroom, picnic tables, and trailheads for those who wish to hike. There is a short, paved, ADA-accessible trail that leads to some exhibits and an overlook at the highest point at Massai. Another short trail skirts around the edge of the point and through some of the rock formations; it is not accessible due to steep grades and rocky, uneven ground and steps. If you like to hike, there are miles of trails through the canyons and one could spend several days exploring them all. There is a campground for those who want to stay longer. It was almost empty in early December but FULL in late February and they were turning folks away - make a reservation (can be done online)! There are also more scenic views, picnic areas, trailheads and restrooms at Sugarloaf and Echo Canyon. As you make your way back through Bonita Canyon, there are several pull-outs for a closer look at the rock formations and Bonita Creek. If you have time, stop at Faraway Ranch to explore the home of the Erickson family who settled here in 1888. Guided tours are available; inquire at the Visitor Center. Things to know: This National Monument has FREE admission. There are no food services here; bring your own or plan to stop at Willcox or Sunizona. Regardless of when you visit, there are high elevations and little shade in some areas so the sun will be intense. Bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Mountain biking and rock-climbing are not allowed. Pets are not allowed on most of the trails. Always check the NPS website for park alerts before you go.

Do not miss this National Monument. The rock formations are fantastic. Located about 40 miles South of Wilcox on I-10. No charge. We are not hikers, but if you are into hiking, go for it. Saw some beautiful birds at the summit and three mule deer on our way out.

National monuments have proven to be amazingly interesting--without exception... and yet this ranks even higher. Try to explain how these huge rocks exist as if stacked upon each other by a giant! How could these rocks balance like this? Gaze at the columns of rock and try not to compare them to the terra cotta army uncovered in China. Be sure to take the drive into the hills to enjoy the miles of viewing too. INCREDIBLE

I can't believe that this park is not better known. It is such a special place to visit - other worldly. The trails are a tribute to the CCC during the 30s. The drive through the park is awesome but walking among the "standing up rocks" definitely is a sacred experience. This is a place that calls us to come back over and over again. A nice variety of trails, a small visitor center, and an interesting history is held within this park.

Beautiful scenery. Perfect day trip from Tucson and points east. Not recommended during summer months - too hot!

This is a MUST SEE if in the area of SE Arizona. There is a beautiful canyon drive with pullouts to observe the scenery. The upper portion of the drive above the canyon takes you on a twisting mountain side road to the top of the ridge. At the top you will observe spectacular vertical rock pillars of various sizes and shapes. There are impressive balanced rocks that appear to be ready to fall at any time. There is a 0.5 mile interpretive walk around the top of the ridge with many impressive places to stop and appreciate the beauty of the area. Hiking is available for various distances and difficulty. For easy, relaxed walking, there are trails both upstream and downstream from the Visitor Center where animals are more likely to be seen. We also found the Erickson homestead and the nearby Stafford cabin very interesting. Both are an easy walk from the parking lot.We spent an entire day here and could easily make it a two day excursion. Plan to pack in a lunch since there is NO FOOD available for purchase here.

Neat 'park'. Lots of trails through the big rock canyons. Bathrooms at trailheads. Take water and pay attention to trail markers. Neat rocks ! Small giftshop at entrance/visitor centre.