Hikes and walks (14)
| Hike | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Trail to Natural Bridge | This trail is a great opportunity to avoid the crowds in March and to see wildlife. It crosses through a stunning variety of ecosystems before ending at a bridge overlook. The small water-carved bridge is located across the canyon. This hike is about the journey, not the bridge. Return the same way. | 3 to 4 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Hike the Trails at Chiricahua | 17 miles of trails will take you into a wilderness of rocks. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous. | 1 to 9 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail | A good way to view the rocks without driving up the road, this mostly-level trail takes you to Rhyolite Canyon, a canyon lined with rock pinnacles. Walk 1.5 miles / 2.4 km until you reach the junction between Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Sarah Deming trails. Return the same way. | All year · No pets |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Trail | This moderate trail to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is 1.8 miles/2.8 kilometers roundtrip. Rising above the surrounding canyons, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at 7,310ft/2,228m is one of the highest points in the monument. The dark rock is dacite, evidence of a lava flow. Lightning activity is monitored from the Ci | 1 to 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Echo Canyon to Visitor Center | This moderate, 4.2 mile/6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make s | 2 to 4 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Echo Canyon Grottoes | Just 1/2 mile from the parking area, on the Echo Canyon Trail, visitors can be amazed by the tunnel-like rock formations. The Echo Canyon Grottoes are a great option for those who want to experience the rocks but have limited time or mobility. | 30 to 60 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Massai Point Nature Trail | A half-mile loop trail through balanced rocks starts at the top of the scenic drive, Massai Point parking area. | 30 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Echo Canyon Loop Trail | The most impressive moderate hike in the park. Hike 3.3 miles through balancing rocks, the unique tunnel-like grottoes, narrow slots, and below cliffs of towering pinnacles. No pets. | 2 to 4 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Silver Spur Meadow Trail | Beginning from the Visitor Center, Campground, or Faraway Ranch picnic area, this 1.2 mile/1.9 kilometer leisurely walk goes by the Faraway Ranch Historic District, Stafford Cabin, and Silver Spur Meadow. This is a dog-friendly trail. | 45 to 90 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
| Bonita Creek Loop | This Bonita Creek loops around the picnic area and takes you along the intermittent Bonita Creek. Watch for Apache plume and prickly poppy flowers in spring and early summer. Arizona whitetail deer are frequently seen in the lower portion of Bonita Canyon. This is a good trail to view grassland birds. | 15 to 30 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
| Inspiration Point Trail | This 5.4 mile / 8.6 kilometer strenuous trail takes you to the Inspiration Point overlook. The route consists of Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, and Inspiration Point trails. Excellent views of Cochise Head and Rhyolite Canyon make this a great rest stop! | 3 to 4 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Heart of Rocks Loop | The Heart of Rocks Loop is a 7.3 mile/11.8 kilometer roundtrip hike to many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument, including Pinnacle Balanced Rock and Big Balanced Rock. Start the loop to the left and hike clockwise for the best views and easiest walking. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, | 4 to 6 Hours · All year · No pets |
| The Big Loop | For folks wanting to do everything, this 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead. | 4 to 7 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Bonita Creek Trail | Winding along Bonita Creek, usually dry, this trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch Picnic Areas. Look for wild animals, including migrating birds, deer, coatimundi, and javelina. This is an easy 1/2 mile trail. | 30 to 60 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
Other things to do (5)
| Activity | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Horseback Riding at Chiricahua | Come explore the "Wonderland of Rocks" on horseback! | All year · No pets |
| Birdwatching at Chiricahua | Chiricahua is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 different bird species documented in the area! The best places for birdwatching include Bonita Creek Trail, Silver Spur Meadow Trail, and Echo Park, although you can see birds anywhere in the park. | All year · Pets with limits |
| Stargazing at Chiricahua | Chiricahua is always open, so come experience our dark skies! The best places to view the night sky at Chiricahua are the Faraway Ranch and Echo Canyon parking lots, both offering wide, unobstructed views of the sky. | All year · Pets OK |
| Picnicking | Bring a box lunch and relax in nature. Bonita Creek, Faraway Ranch, and Massai Point have accessible picnic areas with multiple tables and covered options. All parking lots have restroom and trash facilities. Picnic areas do not provide any grill or fire facilities. Campground tables are restricted to overnight campers | All year · Pets OK |
| Bonita Canyon Drive | This 8-mile paved drive winds up the valley through rock formations, oak, cypress, and pine forests, to Massai Point. Massai Point overlook has a 360-degree view of the Wonderland of Rocks and the surrounding valleys and mountains. | 60 to 90 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
Before you set out
Trail conditions change with snow, fire and storms. Check the park’s current alerts, carry the ten essentials and read know before you go.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Chiricahua National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.