Arizona’s best-kept secret is ready for its close-up.
About 120 geographical mile east of Tucson , Arizona lie in a ocean of monolithic wonders forged in volcanic fury . Here , thousands of rocky voodoo twist skywards under a pictorial cover of stars . The Martian - like landscape is creep with uncommon creatures and abstract instinctive phenomenon unlike any you ’ve ever seen . And soon , Southeastern Arizona’sChiricahua National Monumentcould take its true place in the spotlight .
Hot on the heels of West Virginia ’s newly mintedNew River Gorge National Park , anew bipartisan billcould soon promoteChiricahuafromnational monumentto national park . And should Congress overstep the bill espouse two flunk attempts , this 12,025 - Akko stunner will become the sixty-fourth wilderness in theAmerica ’s Best Ideaclub .
Dubbed the “ The Land of Standing - Up Rocks ” by the Apache , Chiricahua ’s iconic rhyolite pillars earned it national monument status back in 1924 . These transcendental oddment — reminiscent of the orangeness - hue hoodoos of Utah’sBryce Canyon — number in the thousand and were mould million of years ago by a volcanic eruption 1,000 time more potent than Mount St. Helens . Adding to the mystique , Chiricahua is one of Arizona ’s “ sky island , ” a prodigious spate range that emerges from the desert like a hazy mirage .
mlharing/E+/Getty Images
The unique geologic features of sky islands result in some moderately unpredictable climate conditions ; think tank upside and Tevas at the lower elevation and winter coating and beanies closer to the high-pitched peaks . And as the elevation change , so do the ecological communities . locate at the convergence of the Rocky Mountains , the Sierra Madres , the Sonoran Desert , and the Chihuahuan Desert , Chiricahua is home to five world biomes that range from comeuppance and grasslands to chaparral , deciduous , and coniferous forests . It ’s basically the Grand Central Station of ecosystem , and it ’s teeming with unnumbered desert - inhabit critters and creepy-crawly crawlies .
As of August , the pecker was gathering dust in Washington , so it could be a while before we know for sure if Chiricahua will joinPetrified Forest , Saguaro , and theGrand Canyonand become Arizona ’s fourth National Park . But that should n’t stop you from seeing it for yourself today . Here ’s how to best see the starry skies , ancient lava flows , and wildlife of this Southwestern dreamscape .
Cruise through Bonita Canyon
Seeing the salutary of Chiricahua does n’t necessarily mean lacing up your hiking boots : Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive serves as the perfect gateway to adventure . This eight - mile drive provides access to scenic pullouts , trail head , and Bonita Canyon Campground . Enjoy the scenic drive as it jog through cypress , oak , and pine tree forests and climb to Massai Point , where you ’ll gaze over a sea of trippy hoodoos , distant pile range , and palisade valleys from a 6,880 - foundation vantage .
Be certain to extend your legs along the paved half - mile Massai Nature Trail . The path is outfit with informatory signs about the born account of the area , so you could depart Chiricahua with some impressive facts that give setting to the photos in your camera roll . Oh , if you need to catch a sunset , this is the place .
Be wowed under a blanket of stars
Unparalleled sunsets are a highlighting in Chiricahua , but that lilliputian nut of fire drop off behind removed mountain ranges is just the opening deed . Chiricahua is a premier destination forastronomy touristry , and it wow with spellbinding views of the watch crystal - unmortgaged night sky .
In 2021 , Chiricahua added International Dark Sky Park status to its resume , make it the twelfth such stargazing finish in Arizona . Definitely appease up past your bedtime for a chance to glimpse the Milky Way in all its resplendence .
Explore hidden grottoes and towering volcanic rocks
Overall , there are 17 miles of day - employment hiking trails snake through the monument swan from easy accessed to stifle - shaking . For a panoramic view , Sugarloaf Mountain should be first on your list . The 1.8 - mile restrained hike lift 7,310 feet above canyon to one of the highest points in the monument . It winds through carved tunnels and culminates at a flaming observation post that offers far - pass views in every direction .
Echo Canyon Loop is your dear bet for stellar pic ops . cross 3.3 miles and honest hiked counterclockwise ( intrust us on this one ) , Echo Canyon Loop leads you through rock and roll pinnacles and popular arena of the monument , let in the grottoes and through the narrow-minded careen paries corridor experience as Wall Street .
The ultimate strong-arm mental test has to be The Big Loop . shoot down at the top of the list of the most straining trails in the monument , this 9.5 - mile loop topology twists through mazes of rhyolite formation and it ’s peppered with scenic mind-set , which make the trek through those elevation change worth the sweat . tackle the Big Loop gets you up confining and personal with the monument ’s most notable ( and aptly nominate ) geologic formations like Camel ’s Head , Kissing Rock , and Big Balanced Rock .
Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
Encounter some truly wild wildlife
From falcons and finches to swallow andswifts , southeastern Arizona is renowned for its avian diversity . In fact , closely to 200 wench species have been document throughout the monument . Each twelvemonth , 1000 of migrating birds funnel through Chiricahua , highlighted by massive migrations between mid - April and mid - May , according to theSoutheastern Arizona Bird Observatory .
Far from just abirder ’s paradise , Chiricahua is one of the northerly hemisphere ’s most biologically various areas . Javelina , pitch-dark bear , jaguar , ocelot , whitetail deer , and the clean - nosed coati ( the cuter cousin of the vulgar raccoon ) are among the 71 metal money of mammals in the monument . There are also 46 species of reptilian — including the western box turtle and vicious band rattlesnake — and eight amphibian mintage , including the smirking , stripy Panthera tigris fire hook that dwell Chiricahua ’s wetland area .
Like the fauna , the vegetation in Chiricahua abound . expert cite that 1,000 flora specie flourish throughout the memorial , including an oculus - popping , sinus - destroy superbloom of desert wildflowers . For the bestwildflower peeping , design your trip-up for former spring or early summer .
Rhonda Royse /500px Plus/Getty Images
Things to know before you go
Chiricahua ’s busiest months are March and April , but at last the best metre to see is between March and June or from October to November . Just think , as a rule , to expect the unexpected . In Chiricahua , weather consequence like unpredictable electric storm are common in the summer monsoon season and snowstorms are a normal occurrence during winter months .
Road tripping in ? Campers and trailers are allowed inside the monument bound and in the campground , but all vehicles longer than 24 understructure are prohibited on Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive . The close services are in Sunizona and Wilcox , 24 stat mi and 34 miles aside , severally . That ’s a farsighted style to take the air for flatulence — especially with panther cat watching — so fuel up before you enter and keep an eye on the gauge .
For lodgment , Bonita Campgroundis the only field where camping is permitted in the memorial . It has 26 individual site , and they go fast . The camping ground is fit with affluent throne and run water , but that ’s about it . There are no exhibitioner or laundry facility , and cell serve is nonexistent . If you want to take your all-night stay on - power system , DreamCatcher Innis your good wager . The adobe - style bed - and - breakfast is about a 15 - minute thrust south of the monument .
Paul B. Moore/Shutterstock
Chiricahua does have a visitor center and a bookshop , but it ’s not a big - box grocery shop by any means . Some food detail are stocked , but you probably wo n’t see any spirulina - dusted artisan popcorn on the shelves here . There are no eating house , either . So convey plenty of provender and urine for your trip , and set up to be awed .
Tom Tietz/Shutterstock
Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock
