Chiricahua National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Arizona
📘 Park Overview
Explore rhyolite pinnacles and balanced rocks on foot or by car. Relax at the campground under star-filled, dark skies. See how a mountain range rising between two deserts creates a home for diverse wildlife. Imagine history here. Prehistoric peoples, Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers, Civilian Conservation Corps, ranchers, and homesteaders inhabited Chiricahua.
🌤 Weather Information
The park elevation goes from 5,124 feet at the entrance to 7,310 feet on Sugarloaf Mountain. The top of the park can be 5-10 degrees cooler and windier than the visitor center and entrance. The higher elevations generally have more sun exposure. Clothing layers are always recommended here. The park is often cooler than cities in Arizona with summer highs in the 80s and 90s. Winter lows are often near or below freezing.
🚗 Directions
Chiricahua National Monument is in the southeast corner of Arizona. Interstate I10 from LA or Tucson to El Paso or Lordsburg runs about 40 miles north of the park. Exits in Willcox to Hwy 186 are the most direct paved access to the park from the north. (Exits 336, 340, and 344). Note: Exit 366 to Bowie will require driving 10 miles of dirt road. This route is recommended only if stopping at Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
Images
Massai Point offers excellent views of the standing rocks at Chiricahua
Credit: NPS Photo
Faraway Ranch preserves the heritage of early European settlers in the Chiricahua Mountains
Credit: NPS Photo
The standing rocks at Chiricahua create natural nooks and crannies ready to be explored
Credit: NPS Photo
Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive winds through standing rocks and rhyolite cliffs, climbing to Massai Point at 6900 ft / 2100 m.
Credit: NPS Photo
Big Balanced Rock
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Feb 16
Sunny
High: 75.4°F | Low: 48.2°F
Humidity: 28%
Wind: 20.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.2
Sunrise: 06:59 AM
Sunset: 06:05 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (2%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 46.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Feb 17
Patchy rain nearby
High: 55°F | Low: 36.8°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 21 mph
Rain Chance: 85%
UV Index: 0.4
Sunrise: 06:58 AM
Sunset: 06:05 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 41.7°F
Cloud Cover: 85%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Feb 18
Sunny
High: 61.7°F | Low: 32.5°F
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 31.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.3
Sunrise: 06:57 AM
Sunset: 06:06 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 36.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Fire Weather Watch issued February 16 at 4:37AM MST until February 18 at 6:00PM MST by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Effective: Feb 16, 2026 6:37am
Expires: Feb 16, 2026 4:00pm
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW
MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS WEDNESDAY...
.A passing upper level trough will lead to increasing dryness and
strong winds on Wednesday. Sustained winds will approach 25 to 35
MPH for much of the area, with gusts around 45 MPH common. The
strongest winds will favor along and east of the Sacramento
Mountains, where gusts could reach upwards of 60 MPH. This will
combine with minimum relative humidity in the low double digits
and teens in the afternoon, creating high fire danger.
The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Fire Weather Watch for critical fire weather conditions,
which is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
afternoon.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 055 Texas Fire Weather Zone
055 El Paso County, Fire Weather Zone 056 Texas Fire Weather
Zone 056 Hudspeth County, Fire Weather Zone 111 Southwest
Deserts and Lowlands/Las Cruces BLM/GLZ, Fire Weather Zone 112
South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley/BLM/GLZ
and Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento
Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ.
* TIMING...11 AM to 6 PM Wednesday
* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent.
* TEMPERATURES...Up to 69.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended
Park Alerts
Park Events
Night Sky "Star Party"
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) for an unforgettable night under the stars! Experience the wonders of the cosmos as TAAA members share their telescopes, insights, and enthusiasm to help you explore the brilliant night skies above Chiricahua National Monument.
Take your time viewing planets, star clusters, and other celestial sights through a variety of telescopes. Be sure to dress warmly for chilly evening temperatures, bring a red flashlight if you have one, and check your vehicle to make sure all exterior lights can be turned off to preserve night vision.
For updates or possible cancellations due to weather, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chir or check the park’s Facebook page after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
Location: Faraway Ranch Parking Lot, 1 Mile inside the Chiricahua National Monument, 45 minutes south of Willcox
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Discover Chiricahua National Monument
Stop by the visitor center at 11 am to get a brief talk about what's rockin' at Chiricahua National Monument. Rotating daily topics may include orientation, geology, bio-diversity, and history.
Talks will be held by the map in the museum area of the visitor center or in front of the building if weather permits.
Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Hiker's Transport (5.7 to 9-mile hike required)
When available, the hikers' transport will drive day visitors from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon once daily. Hikers can choose one of two routes to hike 5.7 or 9 miles back to their car.
Most hiker's prefer loops and out and back hikes using their own vehicle instead of the transport. This hike from the top parking lots to the bottom of the monument is a 1,500 ft drop in elevation. These hikes are challenging downhill with steep, loose sand and rock. Wear good hiking boots and bring plenty of water and electrolytes or salty snacks.
Subject to staff availibility. Limited to first 13 passengers.
Groups of 6 or more will be asked to use their own vehicles when space is limited.
Shuttle riders must park in the Faraway Ranch Parking Lot unless camping overnight.
Location: Faraway Ranch Parking lot in front of Bathroom and Water Bottle Filling spigot. (For campers only: at Campground Restrooms - no parking available at Campground).
Date: Jan 9, 2026 12:00am to Jan 9, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Dark Sky Event!
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) for an unforgettable night under the stars! Experience the wonders of the cosmos as TAAA members share their telescopes, insights, and enthusiasm to help you explore the brilliant night skies above Chiricahua National Monument.
Take your time viewing planets, star clusters, and other celestial sights through a variety of telescopes. Be sure to dress warmly for chilly evening temperatures, bring a red flashlight if you have one, and check your vehicle to make sure all exterior lights can be turned off to preserve night vision.
For updates or possible cancellations due to weather, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chir or check the park’s Facebook page after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
Location: Meet at the Faraway Ranch parking lot
Date: Mar 20, 2026 12:00am to Mar 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
13063 E Bonita Canyon Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643
🏤 Mailing Address:
12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643
📞 Voice Phone: 5208243560
✉️ Email: chir_info@nps.gov