Chiricahua National Monument was established on April 18, 1924, by
President Calvin Coolidge. Join the National Park Service in
commemorating 100 years of balancing protection with enjoyment! #ChiricahuaCentennial
The public is invited to the Centennial Commemoration at Faraway Ranch! President Calvin Coolidge established the national monument April 18, 1924, to preserve and protect the unique pinnacles of this "Wonderland of Rocks." Join local and national dignitaries in recognizing this "monumental" occasion! Pre-program music starts at 1:30 pm. Refreshments will be provided. Please arrive early to allow time for parking and shuttle service to the event site.
Extended Visitor Center Hours: Open 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Faraway Ranch House and Stafford Cabin will be open for self-guided tours from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
Special Event Shuttle and Parking Information
OPEN: Visitor Center, Massai Point, Echo Canyon, and Sugarloaf Parking Lots
CLOSED: Faraway Ranch Parking Lot Exception: Vehicles with a disability plate or placard
PROHIBITED: All vehicles over 24 feet, trailers, and horses. Exception: Vehicles and trailers with a campground reservation may proceed directly to campsite
Special Event parking will be available just outside the park entrance.
Special Event shuttle service will be provided. Shuttle stops include Event Parking, Faraway Ranch, and Visitor Center.
Living History at Faraway Ranch
Faraway Ranch from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
During this living history event at Faraway Ranch, you will meet staff in 1920-30s period clothing ready to share what life was like in Bonita Canyon 100 years ago.
Extended Visitor Center Hours: Open 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Faraway Ranch House and Stafford Cabin will be open for self-guided tours from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Special Event Shuttle and Parking Information
OPEN:Visitor Center, Massai Point, Echo Canyon, and Sugarloaf Parking Lots
CLOSED: Faraway Ranch Parking Lot Exception: Vehicles with a disability plate or placard
PROHIBITED: All vehicles over 24 feet, trailers, and horses. Exception: Vehicles and trailers with a campground reservation may proceed directly to campsite
Special Event parking will be available just outside the park entrance.
Special Event shuttle service will be provided from 12:30 to 5:30 pm. Shuttle stops include Event Parking, Faraway Ranch, and Visitor Center.
Guided Bird Walk
Bonita Creek Picnic Area from 9:00 to 11:00 am
Join a guided bird walk to observe Southeast Arizona birds and learn to identify them by sight, sound, and habitat. Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars if you have them.
"Story Behind the Scenery: Geology Chiricahua Style" Program
Massai Point from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
This 30-minute talk will be repeated on the hour.
Attend the "Story Behind the Scenery: Geology Chiricahua Style" program at Massai Point, the end of the eight-mile scenic drive. Please allow at least 30 minutes to drive from the park entrance to Massai Point.
Extended Visitor Center Hours: Open 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Special Event Shuttle and Parking Information
OPEN: All Parking Lots
PROHIBITED: All vehicles over 24 feet, trailers, and horses. Exception: Vehicles and trailers with a campground reservation may proceed directly to campsite
Special Hiker Shuttle service will be provided in order to reduce parking congestion in our most popular parking areas.
Hiker Shuttle from Faraway Ranch to Echo Canyon Parking Lot runs on the hour from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Hiker Shuttle from Echo Canyon Parking Lot to Faraway Ranch runs on the half hour from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
No vehicles beyond 24 feet, trailers, horses, or stock use are allowed in Chiricahua National Monument from 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 20. Alternate day parking for oversized vehicles and an event shuttle will be available April 18 & 19. Exception: Vehicles with a confirmed reservation at Bonita Canyon Campground may proceed directly to the campground.
Faraway Ranch Parking Lot will be closed from 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 17 to 6:00 pm on Friday, April 19. Alternate parking and an event shuttle will be available April 18 & 19. Exception: Vehicles with disability plates or placards.
There will be no hiker shuttle service on April 18 & 19.
2024 Events
Chiricahua Rocks! Talk With Park Geologist
Friday, January 19 at 10:30 am
Chiricahua National Monument Headquarters
Join our park geologist, Jessica, for an hour-long geology program! Learn the basic geologic concepts that shaped the landscape you see today, and impress your friends by identifying rocks and outcrops within Chiricahua National Monument.
Geology Activities at Visitor Center
January 19-21 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Visitor Center
Stop by for some fun geologic activities! Cave Junior Ranger booklets, coloring pages, and rock and mineral identification kits will be available for youth and adults.
Buffalo Soldiers Living History & Talk
February 17-18 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Faraway Ranch
Join us for a special event about the Buffalo Soldiers of Bonita Canyon! Meet at Faraway Ranch for a 60-minute guest speaker presentation on who the Buffalo Soldiers were, what their life was like here, and the Garfield Monument they constructed.
Star Party and Night Sky Viewing
Friday, April 12 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Faraway Ranch Parking Lot
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) to view solar system and deep sky objects! We will have several telescopes with operators for public viewing. You'll be able to see planets, nebulae, star clusters, double stars, and more!
Centennial Commemoration Days
April 18-20
Celebrate the official Chiricahua National Monument Centennial! Events will include a commemoration ceremony, living history, geology programs, bird walk, and more.
100 Years of Chiricahua Trails Ranger Program
Saturday, June 8
Rockin' the Arts at Chiricahua!
September 13-15
Regardless of skill or medium, whether you call it Art in the Park or Plein Air, bring your easel or sketch pad and come to the park to create.
Chiricahua National Monument preserves and protects amazing rock formations, flora, and fauna so all participants must Leave No Trace.
No materials or surfaces within the park may be used or damaged in your artwork. Bring a drop cloth, clean up kit, and unbreakable sealed vessel for any water, oil, turpentine, or other liquids.
Open to all. Non-juried. No Pre-Registration, Check in at Visitor Center.
