Overview
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, known as the “Wonderland of Rocks”. Visitors love Chiricahua for its stunning rock columns (hoodoos), hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities.
Recreation
Chiricahua National Monument offers 17 miles of day-use hiking trails; a complimentary shuttle is available to transport hikers to several trailheads once each morning. Birders frequent Chiricahua for the diversity of species that reside in or migrate through the area. The park also offers sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges which make for stunning photography opportunities. No back country camping is permitted in the park. Check the surounding the Coronado National Forest for those opportunities.
Facilities
Originally built by the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, there are 25 individual sites and one group site for 8-24 people available at Bonita Canyon Campground. Flush toilets and potable water are provided (no filling of water tanks). No dump station. All sites have a picnic table, grill, food storage box, tent pad, and the group site has a fire pit. Utility hookups are not provided. The exception is site #8 which is reserved for ADA access and has electricity available for medical equipment use, only. Sites are narrow and will not accommodate side by side parking. Be sure length of campsite is long enough for both your trailer and vehicle. Some sites are difficult to back into due to sharp angles. Although most trails are open to horseback riding, there isn’t any overnight camping for horses and horsetrailers. See the local Coronado National Forest. No hanging of hammocks or any items from trees or other vegetation. Quiet hours are from 8 pm to 8 am; no generator use is permitted during quiet hours.
Natural Features
Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites are well shaded, and have a good view of the creekbed (usually dry) that runs through the campground.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors may explore Faraway Ranch, the Erickson family pioneer homestead and later 20th century guest ranch. The visitor center is open daily, closed December 25, and provides interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park, plus a Western National Parks Association store. For more information about the park, visit www.nps.gov/chir.
Charges & Cancellations
The Group Tent Site is available to groups of 8-24 people. The minimum fee per night is $24 and the maximum fee per night is $72.
Nearby Activities
- Historic & cultural site
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Visitor center
- Wilderness
- Day use area
- Photography
- Star gazing
- Birding
- Scenic drive
Gallery
Directions
Chiricahua National Monument is 45 minutes southeast of Willcox and 2 hours southeast of Tucson, AZ.
From I-10 east
1. Take exit 336 toward Willcox for 4 miles.
2. Turn left onto Arizona 186 E (E Maley Street) for 31 miles.
3. Turn left onto Arizona 181 E for 4 miles.
4. Veer left onto E Bonita Canyon Road and into Chiricahua National Monument. The campground is 2.5 miles ahead on your left.
From I-10 west
1. Take exit 344 toward Willcox.
2. Continue on N Haskell Ave for 5 miles.
3. Turn right onto Arizona 186 E (E Maley Street) for 31 miles.
3. Turn left onto Arizona 181 E for 4 miles.
4. Veer left onto E Bonita Canyon Road and into Chiricahua National Monument. The campground is 2.5 miles ahead on your left.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 32° 0′ 40.0000″ N
Longitude 109° 21′ 19.0001″ W