chiricahua desert museum

I found some great books on the mountains so I can learn the names of the ranges and peaks. The lady working there was very informative, knowledgeable, friendly and interesting.

If you find reptiles, particularly snakes, amazing and fascinating, which we do, then this is a must-see. This is a great collection of live snakes, particularly rattlesnakes, presented in a great way. The owner of this museum really cares for these creatures and it shows in the great care they are given. There are also great paintings and reptile-related stuff. The gift shop is also nicely done. The price for adult admission is $7 per person, but there are various discounts available. Plan on a couple of hours if you want to do it right.

One of very finest reptile collections in this area. I saw varieties of rattlesnake I'd never heard of, and I am a bit of a snake freak. Healthy, in natural settings. Excellent herpetology exhibits and an absolutely fabulous gift shop...surprisingly affordable.We paid $5 each to enter.

Highway 80 between Douglas AZ and Lordsburg NM is a very desolate drive but when approaching Rodeo, NM appears the world's largest rattlesnake rattle (sculpture). We thought, great photo op and place to stretch the legs.We wandered inside the gift shop, and bought a gorgeous copper bracelet very reasonably priced, and there were other items I would have loved to have bought, but trying to get back on the plane with them was another issue.This is a "living" museum so do not expect stuffed animals, the reptiles, plants, etc. are all quite alive.There is a fantastic garden to walk about, with stakes identifying the plants, as a tourist, it was great to actually pin a name on these unfamiliar plants. Found a few lizards and saw some tortoises, the gila monster was still sleeping.There is a collection of snakes to view as well.Gift show and garden are free, nominal fee to see reptiles.Extremely well done, and I congratulate the museum for their excellent displays. Well worth a trip.

An awesome little museum and gift shop,( Ok not so little!) with an absolutely incredible collection of reptiles from the surrounding dessert. Some of the biggest, healthiest rattlesnakes, Sonoran Beaded lizards and Gila Monsters you will see anywhere!! Also a lot of unique gifts and clothing. Located just outside Rodeo New Mexico on highway 80 in gorgeous country about an hour east of Tucson. Well worth the drive!

The displays, ranging from live rattlesnakes to beer and wine bottles, to herpetologists' biographies and correspondence, are extremely well done. There is much to learn here, but or the most part, it is a museum tastefully displaying the collection of a herpetologist, with most of the items having little to do with the Chiricahua desert, but extending well beyond.The gift shop has interesting items from inexpensive caps, etc., to some serious collector quality pottery. A monsoon rainstorm kept me from visiting the garden.

We stopped by here while on a birding trip to Portal/Rodeo and really enjoyed the place. I have never been close enough to a rattlesnake to hear the rattle before, but now I have. I had no idea that there were so many types of rattlesnakes - the live exhibits just went on and on. There was also a fun display of rattlesnake-related items, like beers and signs. It's not just about snakes, though - you will find lizards and turtles, as well. The gift shop had all kinds of tasteful items and the staff was friendly. As a bonus, they offered a discount on admission to First Responders. I am a volunteer EMT and this is the first time I have been offered a discount on anything, so hats off to the owners for that. If you are in the area, don't miss this well-done museum.

We stumbled across this little local gem when we were at the Southwestern Research Station. There was a great exhibit of live venomous snakes and reptile-related art. Really well done. The gift store was great with an excellent and reasonably priced selection of local native american jewelry.

This museum is really incredible and it is clear that the people that put this together spared no expense to make this a showplace in the desert. Many reptiles and some very rare ones call this place home as well as many desert artifacts of the area. I have never seen so many types of rattlesnakes in my life. It has a lovely desert garden outside as well. I think the gift shop should add a few postcards of the museum and its creatures when it has a chance. This museum just happened to be there after we accomplished our objective which was to see the Geronimo Surrender Monument.

The Chiricahua Desert Museum is nestled near the beautiful mountains that bears its namesake.It is a gem. Anyone visiting the region MUST stop by and see this delightful living museum created, owned and operated by Bob and Sheri Ashley. They have a top-notch living collection of plants and animals, mostly reptiles of the region. The gift shop is outstanding! Besides a wide range of clothing, the book selection is second to none! I'll be back in July! GordonGordon W. Schuett, Ph.D.

This little gem is well worth a trip if you're in the area - it has one of the best laid out exhibits of reptiles and amphibians I've ever seen, and a collection of rattlesnakes which must rank as among the best in the world. It also has a fascinating and equally well displayed collection of art and some really interesting curios. The gift shop has a nice selection of higher quality items than your usual gift shop fare too. So my advice is check it out - its well worth the modest entrance fee!

This was really an unexpected delight. We saw this little place on our way through town and decided to stop. I am so glad we decided to pay the small charge for the museum. It is indeed snakes, scorpions and tortoise, but they are tastefully and safely displayed and obviously well cared for. All the other parts of this collection really add something. Seeing practically every rattlesnake themed beer bottle right beside superb pottery and art just seemed to work. The staff was helpful and answered any questions we had. Overall I would say that an hour or so here is well worth the stop.

Enjoyed the indoor "zoo" with all its snakes, scorpions, insects, history, etc. Great gift shop. Outdoor garden (being expanded) is really interesting; learned a lot about the various desert plants.There is charge for the indoor "zoo". Outdoor garden is free.

Nice gift shop with unique items you may not find elsewhere. The garden was very pretty with different cacti. We did not pay to go into the one side of the museum so cannot comment on it.

Small, but interesting. Nice folks Features more rattlesnake varieties than I knew existed. It is worth the stop. Talk to the people and you can get good info about their history.