President Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act on October 20, 2026, making this corner of southeastern Arizona the country's 64th national park and the first new one since West Virginia's New River Gorge in 2021.
Chiricahua joins the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro as Arizona's fourth national park. It's the smallest and least visited of the group, with just over 70,000 visitors in 2025 - but that figure is sure to increase with the fresh publicity. A paved scenic drive reaches the best viewpoints, the most rewarding hike is under four miles, and there's no entrance fee.
What Makes Chiricahua Worth the Drive
The park protects about 12,000 acres of volcanic rock laid down by an eruption roughly 27 million years ago and carved by wind and water into thousands of rhyolite columns, pinnacles, and balanced boulders. The Chiricahua Apache called it the Land of Standing-Up Rocks, and early visitors named it the Wonderland of Rocks. It was protected as a national monument starting in 1924, and the new designation doesn't change its boundaries.
The Chiricahua Mountains rise between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, which gives the park a mix of wildlife that includes coatimundis (a dog-sized mammal that’s part of the raccoon family), black bears, and a bird list that draws serious birders. It's also an International Dark Sky Park. As of 2026, Chiricahua charges no entrance fee and doesn't sell passes, but that is soon likely to change.
When to Go
Spring and fall are the best seasons. The visitor center sits at 5,400 feet and the top of the scenic drive is at 6,870 feet, so summer runs cooler than nearby Tucson, but afternoon thunderstorms with dangerous lightning are common from July through September. Snow is possible from December through March and can temporarily close the upper road. For the most reliable hiking weather, aim for March through May or October through November.
The Scenic Drive
Bonita Canyon Drive runs eight paved miles from the entrance to Massai Point and is the easiest way to see the park. Stop first at Bonita Creek, where a short ADA-accessible trail with picnic tables is also the best birding spot in the park. Further up, pullouts overlook the Organ Pipe Formation and other columns, and rangers recommend saving those stops for the drive down. At the top, Massai Point has a half-mile nature trail, a stone exhibit building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a wide view across the rock field.
Larger vehicles have limits on the drive. RVs over 29 feet must stop at Faraway Ranch near the start of the road, and anyone towing a trailer needs to unhitch there because there's nowhere to turn around further up. Past the campground, the road narrows and climbs steeply, so only vehicles 24 feet or shorter can continue to the top. The park's scenic drive page lists every stop along the way.
The Best Hikes
If you only do one trail, make it the Echo Canyon Loop. It covers about 3.5 miles from the Echo Canyon parking area and winds through grottoes and narrow passages between the spires, with a moderate climb back to the car. The Heart of Rocks Loop is the park's signature hike and passes named formations like Big Balanced Rock, Punch and Judy, and Duck on a Rock. Reaching it from Massai Point and back runs roughly seven to eight miles, so plan on a full day.
On busy winter weekends, the park runs a one-way hiker shuttle to the top of the mountain so you can skip the uphill climb and hike back down to your car. As of 2026, it leaves Faraway Ranch at 9 a.m. and drops hikers at Massai Point or Echo Canyon. The Echo Canyon Trail back down to Faraway Ranch runs a little over five miles, and the route through the Heart of Rocks runs a little over eight. The shuttle depends on staffing and weather and takes no reservations, so check the park calendar before counting on it. Full trail descriptions are on the park's hiking page.
Faraway Ranch
Near the entrance, the Faraway Ranch Historic District tells the story of the Erickson family, who homesteaded in Bonita Canyon in the 1880s and later ran a guest ranch that brought the rock formations to public attention. The grounds are open for a self-guided walk. The ranch house itself opens only for periodic ranger-led open houses, so call the visitor center at 520-824-3560 to confirm the schedule before building a day around it.
Where to Stay
Bonita Canyon Campground is the only overnight option inside the park, with roughly two dozen sites, flush toilets, and drinking water but no hookups or showers. Every site is reserved through Recreation.gov up to six months ahead, and standard sites cost $25 a night as of 2026. The campground regularly fills in October, over holidays, and from January through April, and national park status will only make spots even more competitive. Vehicles must be under 29 feet.
The closest lodging outside the park is in Willcox, about 36 miles northwest, which has several chain hotels along with restaurants and gas. It's also the hub of Willcox Wine Country, where vineyards grow more than 75 percent of Arizona's wine grapes and tasting rooms make an easy afternoon after a morning on the trail. For a quieter stay closer to the park, Sunglow Ranch near Pearce sits about 15 miles away in the Chiricahua foothills.
Before You Go
Fill the tank and pack lunch. The park has no restaurants or vending machines, only a few snacks at the visitor center bookstore, and the nearest gas is in Willcox. Expect cell service to drop on the approach. Tucson International Airport is about two hours away by car.
Give Chiricahua two days if you can. One day comfortably covers the scenic drive, Massai Point, and Echo Canyon, and a second leaves room for the Heart of Rocks or an easier afternoon at Faraway Ranch and the Willcox tasting rooms.
Did you visit Chiricahua back when it was still a national monument? Share your favorite trail or tip in the comments.
Comments
Been there? Share a tip for the next traveler.