| Exploring Chiricahua National Monument is like exploring a fantasy world of extraordinary rock sculptures, sculptures created not by man's hand but by forces of Nature over millions of years. Called the "Land of the Standing-Up Rocks" by the Chiricahua Apaches and later the "Wonderland of Rocks" by pioneers, this northwest corner of the Chiricahua Mountains harbors towering rock spires, massive stone columns, and huge balanced rocks weighing hundreds of tons that perch delicately on small pedestals. Where hundreds of these rocks occur together, such as in the Heart of Rocks, the landscape appears as a rugged badlands. The area is also one of the premier areas of biological diversity in the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Fees: |
$6.00 per vehicle; $3.00 per motorcycle, bicycle, or walk in. |
| Visitor Center: |
Cochise Visitor Center: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed December 25th. |
| Facilities: |
Parking and restrooms at the Visitor Center, campgrounds, drinking water, fireplaces, tables, picnic areas. |
| Directions: |
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| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 32 00.324N; 109 21.445W. |
| Weather: |
- Temperatures are generally moderate. The mean daily temperature in January is 40 degrees F and in July, 74 degrees F. This is a year-round park, with distinct seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Winter typically has snowfall, Spring and Autumn are generally day, and thunderstorms dominate the Summer.
- NPS Weather Conditions.
- See area weather chart.
- See Canyon Country Weather for more information.
- Sunrise/Sunset
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| Precautions: |
- Drive carefully on winding scenic road. Watch for fallen rocks on the road, and ice in the Winter.
- Get gas in Wilcox.
- The Monument is busiest in March and April, and is the least crowded in June and July.
- Be alert for occasional rattlesnakes during warm weather.
- The road is occasionally closed in Winter.
- See Backcountry Considerations.
- See Backcountry Emergencies.
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