Chiricahua National Monument is often overlooked by visitors while in Arizona. Sure Sedona and The Grand Canyon are b e a u t i f u l places to see, but the rocks at Chiricahua are equally impressive and less crowded. Never heard of them? No worries! By the end of this guide, you’ll (hopefully) be eager to visit one of my favorite places in Arizona.

Table of Contents

• Where is Chiricahua
  • Park Information
• What to Pack
• Echo Canyon Trail
• Other Trails
  • The Big Loop
  • Heart of Rocks Loop
  • Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
• Why You Should Visit

Where is Chiricahua

Located in the southeastern portion of Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument is about 2 hours outside of Tucson and 40 minutes away from the town Willcox. If you’re wanting to get away from crowds, making the drive out to Chiricahua is well worth it. It’s incredibly peaceful and the scenic drive out is beautiful.

Park Information

• Address: 12856 East Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox, AZ 85643
• Admission Fees: None! It is free to visit.
• Hours of Operation: The park itself is open 24/7, however the visitors center is only open 8:30-4:30pm.
• Restaurants: There are no restaurants to be sure to pack your own food and drinks

What to Pack

The key to a successful hike is to be prepared! Here’s my tried and true list of what you should pack for any hike.

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Food–I like to take sandwiches, granola bars, fruit snacks, nuts, + fruit
• Plenty of water–I cannot stress this enough; pack what you think you’ll need + some
• Hiking shoes
• Sandals to change into
• Light jacket
• Camera/Phone
• Electrolyte replacement drinks–my favorites are Roar and Body Armour

Echo Canyon Loop

When we went to Chiricahua, we hiked the Echo Canyon Loop which is a 4 mile, moderate loop with almost 600 feet of elevation gain. Please note that dogs are not allowed on this trail. Though windy and rocky, the trail is well marked and is family friendly! It allows for s t u n n i n g views all throughout the trail. If you’re unable to do the 4 mile loop, there is a 1 mile out and back to the grottos (Echo Park) that is worthy of a visit. This trail head has it’s own parking lot with bathrooms, which is such a nice amenity.

While hiking it is always good to be aware of your surroundings, Arizona has a diverse wildlife and Chiricahua is no different. There are mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and bears. Keep your eyes peeled for any of these creatures and have a plan in place if you were to see one. We didn’t see anything dangerous, just a few non venomous snakes and TONS of birds. If you’re into bird watching, this is the place for you!

There are areas in this trail that descend down into the canyon, making it the perfect area for a flash flood. Be sure to check the weather out prior to beginning your hike down + look at the clouds every now and then. We spotted a storm miles away from us while we were in the deepest portion of the hike, we managed to climb out and make it to the car before the rain hit though!

Other Trails at Chiricahua

Echo Canyon may be the most popular trail, but there are tons of other trails to choose from! If you have multiple days to spend at Chiricahua, I’d recommend camping near the park and spend your days hiking through the park. However, if you just have one day to explore, the Echo Canyon trail is the one to do!

The Big Loop

The Big Loop is an 8.7 mile, hard loop with over 1800 feet of elevation gain! This trail connects multiple trails throughout the park, giving you an opportunity to see all that Chiricahua has to offer! It takes an average of 4.5 hours to complete so be sure to come prepared!

Heart of Rocks Loop

The Heart of Rocks loop branches off Echo Canyon and provides a 6.9 mile, moderate out and back with over 1500 feet of elevation gain. It takes an average of 3.5 hours to hike and is not very shady, so be sure to bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. This trail can also be accessed from the Visitors Center.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

If you’re looking for a shorter and easier trail, head over to the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail. This is a 1.8 mile, out and back trail that takes an average of 1 hour to do. There’s 482 feet of elevation gain then you’re greeted with beautiful, panoramic views at the top!

These are just a few of the trails at Chiricahua and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. The park is beautiful no matter where you’re looking from! For more information on these trails and many others, click here.

Why Chiricahua is Worth Visiting

Chiricahua was such an unexpected favorite part of my tip to Arizona! Not only is it free, it provides amazing rock formations, plenty to explore, and a chance to getaway from the crowds. Due to the variety in landscapes, there’s diverse wildlife throughout the park so it’s the perfect place for people who are interested in potentially seeing some beautiful plants and animals. Even just driving through the park is phenomenal! I highly recommend taking a trip to visit the Chiricahua National Monument if you’re ever near the Southeastern part of Arizona. Trust me! You will be glad you went.

Have you ever been to Chiricahua National Monument? If so, share your experience in the comments, I’d love to hear about it!

til the next trip,

bre<3

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