Chiricahua National Monument
Willcox, AZ
A wonderland of rhyolite pinnacles in a sky island range. Drive Bonita Canyon to Massai Point and hike among the balanced rocks.
Chiricahua National Monument lies in the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, about 36 miles (58 km) southeast of Willcox. It was established on April 18, 1924, under President Coolidge on the basis of the Antiquities Act and enlarged in 1938. It protects hoodoos and balancing rocks: volcanic ash hardened into rhyolitic tuff and eroded into rock spires and balanced rocks.
Bonita Canyon Drive runs about 8 miles through the park to Massai Point at 2,094 m (6,870 feet). From there you see the rock pinnacles stretching down the canyon to the Sulphur Springs Valley; an observation tower and Speaker's Rock were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Speaker's Rock for the 1934 dedication. About 17 miles of trails lead through meadows, forests and rock formations, including the Heart of Rocks Trail with the Big Balanced Rock.
According to Wikipedia, a free shuttle runs from the visitor center to the trailheads at Echo Canyon and Massai Point; check whether and when it operates.
- Nearest town
- Willcox, AZ
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 32.0060, -109.3560
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March, May, September and December. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Bonita Canyon CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Chiricahua National MonumentTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Pinery Canyon CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Chiricahua National MonumentTentsCaravans
- Barfoot Park CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Chiricahua National MonumentFree
- Rustler Park CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Chiricahua National MonumentTentsCaravans
- Sunny Flat CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Chiricahua National Monument · 130 pitches
- Walnut Grove CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Chiricahua National MonumentTentsCaravans
All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Chiricahua National Monument?
Chiricahua National Monument is in Willcox, AZ, at GPS 32.0060, -109.3560. It is about 37 mi from Cochise Stronghold.
Can you camp near Chiricahua National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Bonita Canyon Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 22 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Chiricahua National Monument?
Chiricahua National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southeast Arizona: missions, mines and sky islands and Islands in a sea of desert: by camper through Arizona’s Sky Islands: Chiricahua, Bisbee, Tombstone, Saguaro and Organ Pipe.
What is there to see near Chiricahua National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park (46 mi), The Shady Dell (51 mi), Kartchner Caverns State Park (59 mi) and Windy Point Vista (83 mi).
When is the best time to visit Chiricahua National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March, May, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)