Bonita Canyon Campground

• All campsites are on the reservation system, recreation.gov. We recommend making reservations a few weeks in advance and as much as three months in advance during holidays and from January to April. Larger campsites often fill up early so tent campers may find last minute availability more frequently. The park does not offer any walk-in or first come first serve camping. If you arrive without a reservation you may be able to make a reservation using wi-fi at the visitor center. Dispersed camping without a reservation is available on Pinery Canyon Road (Forest Road 42) 6 miles outside the park.

Big Balanced Rock

• Large balanced rock formation on a small point

Faraway Ranch

Faraway Ranch preserves a story important to women’s history, and to the history of Chiricahua National Monument.

Massai Point Overlook

• Scenic overlook of rock pinnacles, valleys, and mountain ranges

Pinnacle Balanced Rock

• Tall rock balanced on top of a small point

Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center

• Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center
• The visitor center, on the right 3.5 miles after the entrance, is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. It has an information desk, museum, park film, and gift shop. It provides free maps, junior ranger booklets, and information. The museum area includes geology, biodiversity, and human history exhibits. Its architecture showcases Civilian Conservation Corps rock work and "Mission 66" architecture. The park store offers shirts, books, stickers, magnets and other collectibles to remember your visit.

• Echo Canyon Grottoes
• Just 1/2 mile from the parking area, on the Echo Canyon Trail, visitors can be amazed by the tunnel-like rock formations. The Echo Canyon Grottoes are a great option for those who want to experience the rocks but have limited time or mobility.

• Echo Canyon Loop Trail
• The most impressive moderate hike in the park. Hike 3.3 miles through balancing rocks, the unique tunnel-like grottoes, narrow slots, and below cliffs of towering pinnacles. No pets.

• Massai Point Nature Trail
• A short, half-mile trail at the end of Bonita Canyon Drive.

• Hike the Trails at Chiricahua
• 17 miles of trails will take you into a wilderness of rocks. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous.

• Bonita Canyon Drive
• This 8-mile paved drive winds up the valley through rock formations, oak, cypress, and pine forests, to Massai Point. Massai Point overlook has a 360-degree view of the Wonderland of Rocks and the surrounding valleys and mountains.

• Silver Spur Meadow Trail
• Beginning from the Visitor Center, Campground, or Faraway Ranch picnic area, this 1.2 mile/1.9 kilometer leisurely walk goes by the Faraway Ranch Historic District, Stafford Cabin, and Silver Spur Meadow. This is a dog-friendly trail.

• Bonita Creek Loop
• This Bonita Creek loops around the picnic area and takes you along the intermittent Bonita Creek. Watch for Apache plume and prickly poppy flowers in spring and early summer. Arizona whitetail deer are frequently seen in the lower portion of Bonita Canyon. This is a good trail to view grassland birds.

• Birdwatching at Chiricahua
• Chiricahua is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 different bird species documented in the area! The best places for birdwatching in the monument include Bonita Creek Trail, Silver Spur Meadow Trail, and Echo Park, although you'll see birds anywhere in the monument.

• Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
• This moderate trail to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is 1.8 miles/2.8 kilometers roundtrip. Rising above the surrounding canyons, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at 7,310ft/2,228m is one of the highest points in the monument. The dark rock is dacite, evidence of a lava flow. Lightning activity is monitored from the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed fire lookout during the summer. Return the same way. Access is from the Sugarloaf parking lot.

• Echo Canyon to Visitor Center
• This moderate, 4.2 mile/6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the seasonal hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am.

• Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail
• A good way to view the rocks without driving up the road, this mostly-level trail takes you to Rhyolite Canyon, a canyon lined with rock pinnacles. Walk 1.5 miles / 2.4 km until you reach the junction between Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Sarah Deming trails. Return the same way.

• Picnicking
• The Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch picnic areas have tables, trashcans, and restrooms. Massai Point, Echo Canyon, and Sugarloaf areas have tables and restrooms. Water is available at Faraway Ranch and the Visitor Center. Picnicking in Bonita Canyon campground is prohibited.

• Inspiration Point Trail
• This 5.4 mile / 8.6 kilometer strenuous trail takes you to the Inspiration Point overlook. The route consists of Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, and Inspiration Point trails. Excellent views of Cochise Head and Rhyolite Canyon make this a great rest stop!

• Heart of Rocks Loop
• The Heart of Rocks Loop is a 7.3 mile/11.8 kilometer roundtrip hike to many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument, including Pinnacle Balanced Rock and Big Balanced Rock. Start the loop to the left and hike clockwise for the best views and easiest walking. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, but it's worth the effort. There are three different ways to get to the loop, all of them being the same distance.

• Stargazing at Chiricahua
• Chiricahua National Monument is always open, so come experience our dark skies! The best places to view the night sky at Chiricahua are the Faraway Ranch and Echo Canyon parking lots, both offering wide, unobstructed views of the sky. For really spectacular views, plan a visit to avoid a full moon. Check our event calendar to see if any special night sky programs are scheduled!

• Horseback Riding at Chiricahua
• Come explore the "Wonderland of Rocks" on horseback! Horses are allowed on many of the trails in the monument.

• The Big Loop
• For folks wanting to do everything, this 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

• Trail to Natural Bridge
• The least used trail in the monument climbs through oak and juniper woodlands to a ridge then drops into the Apache pine forest of Picket Park. It ends at an overlook for the small water-carved bridge located across the canyon. Return the same way.

• Bonita Creek Trail
• Winding along Bonita Creek, usually dry, this trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch Picnic Areas. Look for wild animals, including migrating birds, deer, coatimundi, and javelina. This is an easy 1/2 mile trail.