Chiricahua National Monument - Willcox, Arizona

Chiricahua National Monument - Willcox, Arizona

Can you envision a forest of rocks?  That’s exactly what the Chiricahua National Monument is, a forest of rock spires that was eroded from layers of ash deposited by the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago!

There is an 8 mile paved scenic drive through the park that will allow you to see the wonders of nature.  If you want to see it more up close and hear the sounds, see the beauty you may want to take the 18 miles of day-use hiking trails which will allow you to also get to see the inhabitants of the 11,985 acre site.

The park is a secret treasure that you shouldn’t miss.  It’s only a 37 mile drive off I-10 to be in the wonders of the mountain wonderland of trees, wild animals, and the amazing balanced rock and pinnacles unlike you have ever seen!  Truly a forest of rock!

Alert: Recreational vehicles and trailers longer than 29 feet are not permitted on the scenic drive beyond the visitor center (this does not apply to commercial vehicles; tour busses or school busses).

Chiricahua (pronounced cheer-i-cow-ah) means wild turkey.  In the 1750 time when it was named there were many wild turkey in the area.  By the mid 1900’s most of the turkeys were gone and in 2033 Gould’s wild turkeys were released back into Chiricahua Mountains by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation (yes, there is one.)

The busy season is in the Spring, March and April.  The campground will be full on a daily basis and parking can be challenging.  Summer has the least visitation (because of the heat but it’s still beautiful…just take water with you and wear sunscreen and a hat and good walking shoes).

As with most creeks in Arizona, the creeks run in spring during snow melt and late summer during the monsoon, otherwise the beds are dry.

You will see Arizona white-tail deer, maybe a black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, grey fox, or coatimundi (also known as a hog-nosed coon).  Of course the lizards and snakes are active during the summer months.  The birds vary with the season so it is ever changing.

It does snow at Chiricahua Naitonal Monument on an average of 12 inches throughout the winter.  Storms will drop a few inches, it will stay on the ground for a week or so, then the next storm will drop a few more inches which will also remain for about a week before melting away.

Location: Superintendent: 12856 East Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, Arizona 85643

Phone: 520-824-3560