Arizona's 'Wonderland Of Rocks' Is A National Monument Marked By Scenic Hiking Trails And Stargazing Sites

In the southeasternmost corner of the Arizona desert, rock formations sprout unusually from the earth to form the Chiricahua National Monument. What the Apaches referred to as "The Land of Standing-Up Rocks" — also known as the "Wonderland of Rocks" — now sits on 12,000 acres of protected land, just a two-hour drive away from Tucson. This destination may not be the first that comes to mind when visiting Arizona's many parks and monuments, but this underrated park packs a punch with over a dozen scenic hiking trails, paved roads, stargazing, and plenty of historic markers to explore.

Easily reached by car, this national monument makes for a great pit stop or full weekend trip, with options to camp inside and outside the park or stay nearby at a lodge or motel, depending on your budget and preferences. Camping in the park ranges from $25 to $50, and a typical rate in a nearby hotel starts at $95 per night, at the time of this writing. If hiking isn't quite your thing, plenty of scenic and historic spots are accessible on two or four wheels. If you're taking a southwestern road trip and want to see some fascinating geology, the Chiricahua National Monument is a great place to stop.

The Chiricahua National Monument has 13 hikes ranging from easy to hard that can take anywhere from one to nine hours to complete. This park offers a diverse range of terrain, with hikes running along the creek, meadows, canyons, and mountains. Past visitors highly recommend the Echo Canyon Loop, as it connects to multiple trails. It's considered a moderate 3.4-mile hike and is a great option if you want to veer off into other sections of the park.

The park has five "easy" trails if you're traveling with children or are just looking to take in the scenery. If you're looking to do a short hike, the Bonita Creek Loop and Bonita Creek Trail are great options that take 30 minutes to an hour to complete, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife and local flora along the way. If you're headed to Chiricahua, you're likely going for the rock formations. The Echo Canyon Grottoes Trail will only take an hour to explore and can be accessed by the Echo Canyon Loop, where you can crawl through the rocks. A trek to a natural bridge and the Heart of Rocks Loop are also excellent ways to experience the park's unique geology on foot.

Between June and September, Arizona frequently reaches temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring and fall, particularly April, May, and October, are the best times to visit for the most temperate weather. No matter what time of year you come, but especially in the summer, it is always recommended that you carry your own food and water in and out of any national park or monument. At least 2 liters of water per person per day should suffice.

Arizona is known for its astronomical attractions like the Astro Trail, and Chiricahua is no different. Whether you're visiting for the day or camping, stargazing is a huge draw to this monument. Situated in a Dark Sky zone — an area that has intentionally reduced light pollution, much like the world's first International Dark Sky City — this monument is a fantastic location for seeing a full night sky.

According to the National Park Service, two of the best places in the park to see stars are the Faraway Ranch and Echo Canyon parking lots. You'll have fantastic views regardless of where you are in the park, but they may be partial if you're someone who has to log every star in their stargazing app. The park service also recommends avoiding a full moon if you want to get the most out of your stargazing experience.

Chiricahua National Monument often has scheduled night sky programs, educational events, and campfires, some of which are organized by outside institutions like the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Reservations are required if you plan to spend the night at the park's single campground, the Bonita Canyon Campground. The camp has 23 sites available and is open year-round.