Chiricahua National Monument
A "Wonderland of Rocks" is waiting for you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. The 8-mile paved scenic drive and 17-miles of day-use hiking trails provide opportunities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 12,025 acre site. Visit the Faraway Ranch Historic District to discover more about the people who have called this area home.
RecAreaDirections
Chiricahua National Monument is located 120 miles southeast of Tucson. Take I-10 east from Tucson to the first exit for Willcox. Travel 3 miles into town to the stoplight and turn right. You will follow Arizona State Highway 186 for 32 miles to the junction of Arizona State Highway 181. Turn left and 4 miles later you will be at the Chiricahua entrance station. Maximum vehicle length is 29 feet to drive beyond the visitor center. A hiking shuttle is available daily at 9 am from the visitor center.
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Permits info
Facilities
Bonita Canyon Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, known as the "Wonderland of Rocks". Visitors love Chiricahua for its stunning rock columns (hoodoos), hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities. Vehicles longer than 24 feet (RV or vehicle + trailer) are NOT permitted on the scenic drive beyond the campground. See campground regulations and map.
Recreation
Chiricahua National Monument offers 17 miles of day-use hiking trails. Birders frequent this site for the diversity of species that reside in or migrate through the area. Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges which make for stunning photography opportunities at Massai Point, the end of the 8-mile, paved scenic drive. No back country camping is permitted in the park. Check the surounding the Coronado National Forest for those opportunities.
Facilities
IMPORTANT: This historic campground is best suited for tents, camper vans, small RVs and trailers. Total maximum vehicle length for trailer or RV is 29 feet and only a few sites are that long. Confirm length of campsite is long enough for both your trailer and vehicle. Most sites are narrow and will not accommodate side by side parking. Some sites are difficult to back into due to sharp angles. Crossing the two creek bed dips can be difficult for longer vehicles. See campground map.
- Utility (electricity, water, sewer) hookups are not available. No dump stations, closest is Willcox, AZ.
- An individual campsite will accommodate a maximum of 8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents.
- Site #8 is reserved for ADA access and has electric utility box to connect to for medical equipment use, only.
- Restroom has flush toilets and cold water sinks; no showers. Potable/drinking water faucets are provided; no filling of water tanks for trailers or RVs.
- All sites have a picnic table, raised grill, food storage box, and tent pad. Please bring your own firewood or charcoal. Use of raised portable fire pans is permitted.
- Hanging of hammocks or any items from trees or other vegetation is not permitted.
- Quiet hours are from 8 pm to 8 am with no generator use or other loud noises allowed during this time.
- There isn't any camping for people with horses or horse trailers within the park. See the local Coronado National Forest.
Natural Features
Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites are well shaded and have views of Bonita Creek which is dry most of the year,
Nearby Attractions
The park visitor center is open daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mountain Standard Time. It is closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Inside you will find interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park, plus a Western National Parks Association store. Visitors may explore Faraway Ranch, originally the Erickson family pioneer homestead, converted into a 20th century guest ranch by the family daughters, and currently an historic site. For more information about the park, visit www.nps.gov/chir.
Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Coronado National Memorial, the Coronado National Forest, Portal/Cave Creek, Tombstone, Bisbee, and Willcox are local places visitors to Chiricahua also enjoy exploring.
Charges & Cancellations
The Group Tent Site is available to groups of 8-24 people. The minimum fee per night is $24 and the maximum fee per night is $72.Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center Facility
The visitor center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Standard Time. Exhibits about the geology, natural history, archaeology and cultural history are housed in the visitor center, build by CCC stone masons in the late 1930s. A short video about the park is available as well. A bookstore offers a wide range of titles on topics ranging from Apache history to children's books about the regional flora and fauna.