ARIZONA
NATIONAL
PARKS
Chiricahua National Monument
The monument is a mecca for hikers and birders. At the intersection of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts, and the southern Rocky Mountains and northern Sierra Madre in Mexico, Chiricahua plants and animals represent one of the premier areas for biological diversity in the northern hemisphere. Of historic interest is the Faraway Ranch, a pioneer homestead and later a working cattle and guest ranch. It is a significant example of human transformation of the western frontier from wilderness to the present settlement. Faraway Ranch offers glimpses into the lives of Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson, and their children. The house is furnished with historic artifacts which not only give us reminders of our youth and our ancestors, but one can also trace the development of technology during the first half of the twentieth century. Acreage: 12,000 acres.
VISITATIONHighest in April; lowest in June. Total visitation for 1994 - 91,215 visitors.
LOCATIONWillcox, AZ
ADDRESSSuperintendentDos Cabezas Route Box 6500 Willcox, Arizona 85643
TELEPHONE(928) 824-3560
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONSVisitor Center: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily; closed Christmas Day. Peak season is from March - May.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHINGTemperatures are generally mild with summer daytime highs in the upper 90s and nighttime lows in the 50s. Winter daytime highs range in the 50s to 60s and nighttime lows are typically in the upper teens or low twenties but can dip into the subzero range. Moisture is evenly distributed, half during the winter as snow, half in the summer as rain. Daily thunderstorms can occur from July through September.
Clothing:Sturdy hiking boots, with good ankle support, are highly recommended when hiking the trails.During the summer, light clothing for warm days and cool nights is recommended. Rain gear is useful during the rainy season. During the winter, wear warm clothing to cope with wind chill factors below zero, snow and subfreezing temperatures.
DIRECTIONSChiricahua National Monument is located 120 miles east of Tucson. Exit I-10 at Willcox, and follow State Route 186 36 miles to the monument.
TRANSPORTATIONPrivately owned vehicle. There is no public transportation to monument. Obtain gas in Willcox; gasoline is not available at or near the monument.Airline service to Tucson (120 miles) is available with rental cars also available.
FEES, COSTS, RATESEntrance to the park: $6.00 per vehicle, $3.00 per motorcycle, bicycle, or hiker. The annual Golden Eagle Passport is valid in all Federal Fee areas that have entrance fees (most national park areas). Cost is $50. Free with Golden Age Passport (available to U. S. citizens 62 years old or older for a one-time fee of $10.00). Free with Golden Access Passport (available to blind or permanently disabled U.S. citizens). Commercial rates 1-6 passengers: $30.00; 7-25 passengers: $45.00; 25+ passengers: $100.00. Camping fees: $8.00 per night; $4.00 with Golden Age Passport; $4.00 with Golden Access Passport.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIESVisitor Center/Exhibits:Visitor Center with audiovisual program, exhibits, computer information station, book sales. Chiricahua features 17 miles of maintained trail in a monument that is 90% wilderness. Trails vary in degree of difficultly. The Echo Canyon Trail and the Heart of Rocks Trail offer spectacular views of balanced rocks, spires and pinnacles. A picturesque pioneer homestead, the Faraway Ranch, offers daily tours of the house and a chance to learn about the Swedish immigrant family that was one of the first to settle in the area. One can view animals and birds not seen outside the desert southwest. Mammal species include: Javelina, coatimundi, hog-nosed and hooded skunks, white-tailed deer, bears, and mountain lions. Birds seen include: Magnificent hummingbirds, Black-chinned hummingbirds, Scott's orioles, Hepatic tanagers, Painted redstarts, Yellow-rumped warblers, Red-faced warblers, and Black-headed grosbeaks.
Programs/Activities:Interpretive programs are available from March through November. Evening programs are presented at the Campground Amphitheater. Short talks and guided walks are also given. Check the schedule at the Visitor Center for specific times and places. Special events at the Faraway Ranch include an annual Christmas open house, a Mother's Day Ice Cream Social, and other special programs. Call for further information.
Lodging and camping facilities:Campground is temporarily CLOSED until September 24, 1999. Waterlines are being replaced. Camping is available in the surrounding National Forest Service land. There is a 25 site campground (Bonita Canyon). It features rest rooms with flush toilets, running water, picnic tables and trash pickup. There are no hookups or showers. Camping is limited to 14 days. Camping is restricted to the campground. No back country camping is available in the monument. Camping is available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. There are no food services, gasoline, or lodging in the monument. Supplies can be obtained, along with these services, at nearby stores and towns.
Accessibility:The visitor center and campground are fully accessible, including rest room facilities. The Faraway Ranch House can accommodate a narrow wheelchair.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONSTake the 8-mile scenic drive to Massai Point, take a Faraway Ranch tour, hike the Echo Canyon Loop trail (3.5 miles).
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONSFort Bowie National Historic Site - a prominent outpost in the Apache Wars of the late nineteenth century (21 mile drive, 3 mile walk), Coronado National Memorial - memorial to the Spanish explorer Coronado (100 miles), Tombstone/Bisbee - historic towns that feature mining and late nineteenth century history (70/90 miles), Portal/Cave Creek (Coronado National Forest) - a favorite scenic bird watching destination (26 miles).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCall (928) 824-3560. |
Twenty
seven
million
years
ago
a
volcanic
eruption
of
immense
proportions
shook
the
land
around
Chiricahua
National
Monument.
One
thousand
times
greater
than
the
1980
eruption
of
Mount
St.
Helens,
the
Turkey
Creek
Caldera
eruption
eventually
laid
down
two
thousand
feet
of
highly
silicious
ash
and
pumice.
This
mixture
fused
into
a
rock
called
rhyolitic
tuff
and
eventually
eroded
into
the
spires
and
unusual
rock
formations
of
today.
