Chiricahua National Monument

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Horseback Riding at Chiricahua

Come explore the "Wonderland of Rocks" on horseback! Horses are allowed on many of the trails in the monument.

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!

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.

Massai Point Nature Trail

A half-mile loop trail through balanced rocks starts at the top of the scenic drive, Massai Point parking area.

Picnicking

Bring a box lunch and relax in nature. Bonita Creek, Faraway Ranch, and Massai Point have accessible picnic areas with multiple tables and covered options. All parking lots have restroom and trash facilities. Picnic areas do not provide any grill or fire facilities. Campground tables are restricted to overnight campers with reservations.

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.

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!

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.

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.