Photo: NPS Photo
Explore rhyolite pinnacles and balanced rocks on foot or by car.
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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.
No large vehicle turnaround after Faraway Ranch Parking (1 mile after entrance). Vehicles over 29 feet park at Faraway. Disconnect trailers at Faraway. Trailers with campground reservations proceed to camp. Scenic drive = 24 ft limit and no trailers.
16 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
Reservable Campground
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox, AZ. Visitors love the historic, treed campsites, hiking the "Wonderland of Rocks" and bird…
Reserve on Recreation.govOverview
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox, AZ. Visitors love the historic, treed campsites, hiking the "Wonderland of Rocks" and bird watching opportunities.
NOTE: While some vehicles up to 29 feet may fit in the campground, the scenic drive is restricted to 24 feet. Scenic drive may be hazardous to tall or wide vehicles.
Outside the park, Coronado National Forest provides additional camping and recreation opportunities.
Recreation
Chiricahua National Monument offers beautiful views, wildlife watching, and miles of hiking trails.
Facilities
IMPORTANT: Maximum vehicle length is 29 ft (9 m) per piece including racks. Any trailer or vehicle over 29 feet OR with an overhang of more than 9 feet may "bottom out" on the road crossing the creek into the campground. Check the driveway length and notes to determine if a site is large enough for your tow vehicle and trailer. Be prepared to remove bike racks and hitches. Only a few sites will accommodate Trailers or RVs. Sites may be difficult to back into and may not be level.
No Hook Ups. (No electric, sewer, or dump station). Full-service campgrounds are available in Willcox or Sunizona, AZ.
An individual campsite will accommodate a maximum of 8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents. A trailer counts as a vehicle.
No parking outside of reserved campsites. Vehicles unable to fit inside the campsite must park outside the park.
View the driveway length, notes, and allowable equipment to confirm whether the campsite is level and long enough for both your trailer and vehicle before booking.
Reservations not claimed within 24 hours of check‑in (by noon the following day) will be cancelled.
Site #8 is special needs accessible. Electric use is permitted for medical equipment only.
No Showers. The restroom has flush toilets and sinks.
Drinking water faucets are located throughout the campground. Hose connections/tank filling prohibited.
All sites have a picnic table, raised grill, food storage box, and tent pad. No ground fires and no wood collection.
Hanging of hammocks or any items from trees or other vegetation is prohibited.
Quiet hours are from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am. Generators allowed: 8-10 am & 4-6 pm.
No horse camping or horse trailers in the monument. Please check Coronado National Forest for options.
Natural Features
Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites have shade. The Bonita Creek is dry most of the year but may run during summer monsoon or winter snows.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Chiricahua National Monument website to learn about the Visitor Center Museum & Store, scenic drive, hiking and more.
Nearby federal lands include: Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Coronado National Memorial, the Coronado National Forest (including Portal/Cave Creek ).
Explore Cochise County provides information on nearby communities and activities.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (520) 824-3560 for general information.Charges & Cancellations
Reservations not occupied within 24 hours of check‑in (by noon the following day) may be cancelled.
Please modify your reservation on the app or website if you will not be using a reserved night. Updating your reservation:
Ensures the rest of your stay is protected
Opens the site for others
May result in a refund
The visitor center cannot hold reservations an extra day for late arrivals. If you arrive after the reservation has been cancelled, you will need to make a new reservation.
If you experience technical issues, call the service center at 877‑444‑6777 to request a reservation modification.
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
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…
13063 E Bonita Canyon Drive, Willcox, AZ (520) 824-3560 Directions
Open 24 hours, daily · Chiricahua National Monument Facilities and Scenic Drive
The road, campground, and facilities in the park are open overnight. Gates on the road will not be closed during overnight hours unless an emergency occurs. The park prohibits overnight parking, sleeping in vehicles, and camping outside the campground. The trails stay open for sunrise, sunset, and night sky viewing. Be aware of wildlife and use extreme caution.
No entrance fees listed.
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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.
Join Ranger Kim at Chiricahua National Monument Bonita Canyon Campground for “Bear Naked – Facts and Folklore about the American Black Bear,” an evening program exploring the facts and stories of one of the monument’s most fascinating residents.
Enjoy a fun, easy stroll with Ranger Michelle along the Bonita Creek Loop Trail. This accessible .2‑mile loop offers gentle creekside scenery, lively ranger insights, and a light, relaxing walk perfect for all visitors.
Join Ranger Laren for a fun intro to night‑sky photography. You’ll pick up simple techniques for capturing stars and planets with confidence, and experienced photographers are welcome to join in and share the adventure. Bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, camp chair, red light, and a few extra layers for the cool evening air.
Stop by the Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center at 10:00 AM for a one‑hour peek at our nearest star through a specially equipped solar telescope. Watch the Sun come to life as you safely view sunspots, dancing prominences, and swirling solar textures—all while park rangers share cool facts and fiery stories about our amazing star. It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s a blast… literally!
Join us for a stellar evening under Chiricahua’s dark skies! In partnership with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA), rangers and volunteer astronomers will set up telescopes at Faraway Ranch on October 9 from 6:30–8:30 pm. Wander from scope to scope to discover planets, star clusters, and other cosmic treasures. Bring a cozy blanket or chairs and come early to snag a great spot. No registration needed—just an eagerness to explore the universe!
Looking for a relaxing evening at Massai Point? Join Ranger Michelle for sunset, some quiet time, and the sounds of Chiricahua. We’ll slow down, listen to the world around us, and take some time to reflect. Journals and writing utensils will be provided.
Explore Silver Spur Meadow on this fun, dog‑friendly history walk! As you stroll past old stone remnants from CCC Camp NM‑2‑A, imagine hardworking CCC boys living right here among your paw steps—they built trails, stabilized structures, improved roads, and made Chiricahua safer and more accessible for future explorers (including today’s pups!). You will also learn how your own pup can become an official Bark Ranger and earn a Chiricahua National Monument Bark Ranger Certificate for completing the adventure.
Join Ranger Laren for a fun intro to night‑sky photography. You’ll pick up simple techniques for capturing stars and planets with confidence, and experienced photographers are welcome to join in and share the adventure. Bring your DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, camp chair, red light, and a few extra layers for the cool evening air.
Meet the Rangers • Learn About the Park
Join us at our outdoor Junior Ranger table, where visitors can meet real park rangers, story time will be from 10 am - 10:30 am, come explore fun hands‑on activities, and learn all about the amazing natural and cultural wonders of the park. Whether you’re curious about wildlife, geology, history, or how rangers protect these special places, we’d love to talk with you!
Kids of all ages are welcome — from 1‑year‑olds to 100‑year‑olds. Everyone can participate, explore, and enjoy.
Come by, say hello, and become a steward of your park!
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.
Mailing address: 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
