Chricahua National Monument is my favorite national monument, especially for exploring with kids!
The towering rock pinnacles and balanced rocks speckled with lichen are unlike anything else you’ll find in Arizona.
The indigenous nations that call this region home, called the Chiricahua or Chiricahua Apache, named this area “The Land of Standing Up Rocks.” It’s easy to see why!
The Chiricahua Mountains are part of Arizona’s “Sky Islands,” mountain oases that rise up sharply from the parched desert floor.
The Sky Islands are much cooler than the desert and get more precipitation too. We visited in early April and were surprised how cold it was in Chiricahua!
We had a wonderful trip. Here are my favorite things to do at Chiricahua with kids.
Hike the Echo Canyon Loop (3.4 miles, moderate)
You must hike the Echo Canyon Loop when you visit Chiricahua with kids!
The trail is about 3.4 miles and is moderate. Hike it counterclockwise and you’ll hit the most interesting rock formations first.
Kids will love scrambling over boulders, peering into grottos, and gazing up at the spires. We decided they look like a horde of people looking down on us!
The trail descends down into the canyon before returning back up. It’s steep, but I hiked the whole trail with a 3-year-old in a hiking carrier and we did just fine.
Search for coatis
Be on the lookout for coatis when you visit Chiricahua with kids!
Coatis are close relatives of raccoons. They live from the Southwestern United States down to Mexico, Central America and South America. And they’re absolutely adorable!
I had heard the campground was the best place to spot coatis as they like to drink from the water stations in the park.
We camped in the campgrounds — which I highly recommend — but, sadly, didn’t see any coatis on this trip. I’ve seen them elsewhere in southern Arizona as a kid though, and they’re a joy to watch!
(Watch this video of coatis scampering in reverse and enjoy how much they look like mini brachiosaurus!)
Become a Junior Ranger
You can’t visit Chiricahua National Monument with kids without swearing in as Junior Rangers!
Pick up a free Junior Ranger activity book at the Visitor Center. Complete the booklet and turn it back in for a free wooden Junior Ranger badge!
Where to stay in Chiricahua with kids
Bonita Canyon Campground is the only lodging in Chiricahua National Monument.
It’s a great campground with stunning rock spires looking down over the shaded campsites. We loved camping here in Chiricahua with kids!
The campground has flush toilets, running water, and picnic tables. It’s just a short walk to the Visitor Center too.