Amazing scenery and picturesque campground.
photo: sweet shady spot–site #2
The Chiricahua National Monument seems to be a little known gem in SE Arizona. It has phenomenal rock formations and stunning landscapes. Bonita Canyon Campground is situated in the midst of this grandeur and has a lovely beauty all its own.
Rating: 9/10
Location & getting there: It’s located east of Tuscon in south-eastern Arizona. From the Phoenix area, take Hwy 10 east toward Tuscon. Go through Tuscon and continue toward Willcox (I-10 swings east at this point). At Willcox, take 186 south toward the Chiricahua National Monument (there will be signs). After about 35 miles, take 181 east to the Chiricahua National Monument ranger station/park entrance. (Again, there is a sign) After about 5-10 minutes you’ll pass the ranger station, and a few minutes later, the campground will be on the left (which is north at this point).
Total travel time from Tempe: approximately four hours; 1 hr 45 min to Tuscon, then 1 hour to Willcox, then 55 min to campground.
Elevation: 5400′
What I liked best: Really beautiful campground: lots of natural eye candy! Fabulous trees grow under a backdrop of towering rock cliffs. The diversity of trees and plants found at this campground is great. Excellent climbing trees, plenty of shade, beautiful to look at and listen to as they sway in the breeze.
photo: one of the best climbing trees ever! (at site #2)
And, the rocks! Rocks of all sizes keep your little climbers busy (they also can serve as a side table for your adult beverage). There is a lot of nature for the kidlets to explore and it’s mostly safe (no cliffs, drop offs, deep water, etc). Also, the terrain in the campground is a pleasing compromise between flat and slight hills, folliage and good visibility for watching your budding explorer. The campsites are well spread out–not too crowded and the trees and bushes provide some sense of privacy for many of the sites. And the bathroom! This is the nicest bathroom I’ve ever seen in a campground–nice tile, a real sink, flush toilets. Another great thing is the quiet: you only hear a few cars driving by now and then–the man-made noises are minimal. We saw lots of wildlife (relative to other campgrounds I’ve been to)–deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and, of course, birds. And, just one more thing to love, there is a trail head that leaves from the campground. This trail leads to the Ranger Station a few miles away and it hooks up with longer hiking trails. (See “Hiking” below)
Best Sites: #4 is shady, next to the creek bed and roomy. I also liked #2, as it has this wonderful leaning clmbing tree you see in some of my photos, and it’s next to the creek bed, too. There are no real doggy sites–they all have beautiful trees and are roomy. The group site (photo below) is quite nice and is next to the creek bed.
photo: the view toward the cliffs (as seen from your camp hammock) is magnificent
Shortcomings: The creek bed was dry when I was there. I am told it is seasonal and usually flows during monsoon season, July-September. Bonita Creek runs right through the campground and it would be sweet to have a little water in it. Also, no campfires are allowed, regardless of season. You can have a fire in the grill, however.
Amenities: Each site has a picnic table, and an elevated grill (grill on a post). No fire rings. There are toilets (flushing), and spigots with drinking water . There is also a working pay phone (which is nice since I had no cell phone reception out there). They do not sell firewood or ice. There is also an ampitheater (call ranger station for programming).
photo: wonderful old trees are all over this campground
Logistics: Bonita Canyon Campground has 22 sites. They are first come, first serve. Only the group campsite is reservable (8-24 people). Cost for regular sites is $12/night, max 8 people, 2 tents and 2 vehicles per site. You also need to purchase a pass to enter the Chiricahua National Monument. The cost is $5 per person (kids 15 and under are free) and it is good for 7 days. Call 520-824-3560 for information and to reserve the group site.
photo: view of the group site
Hiking: As I mentioned above, there is a trail that leaves from the far end of the campground–near the Group Site. You can take that to the Visitor Center (.5 mi) or it connects to the Silver Spur Meadow Trail for a longer hike to Faraway Ranch (1.2 mi) or keep going to Bonita Creek picnic area (an additional .5 mi). There are many trailheads within a short (less than 10 min) drive away. For written description of trails in this area go to: http://www.nps.gov/chir/upload/Trail%20Guide%2008.pdf For a map of the trails go to: http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=chir&parkname=Chiricahua%20National%20Monument
I did the Echo Canyon trail with a group that included kids 4-8 years old and no one had to be carried once. It took about 2.5 hours. It was fabulous. See the post titled Chiricahua National Monument for details.
photo: crazy rock formations seen from the Echo Canyon Trail
