Trails in Chiricahua National Monument

The Heart of Rocks Loop is a 7.3 mile / 11.8 kilometer roundtrip hike to many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument, including Pinnacle Balanced Rock and Big Balanced Rock. Start the loop to the left and hike clockwise for the best views and easiest walking. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, but it's worth the effort. There are three different ways to get to the loop, all of them being the same distance.

Option #1 - Heart of Rocks Loop from Echo Canyon Trailhead

This route consists of the Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, and Heart of Rocks Loop trails. This is an easier route to Heart of Rocks than starting from the visitor center with more views of the rock formations. Ed Riggs trail drops you into the canyon while Mushroom Rock trail climbs 610ft/186m up the other side. Big Balanced Rock trail is along the top of the ridge. Complete the Heart of Rocks Loop and return.

Option #2 - Heart of Rocks Loop from Visitor Center

This route consists of Lower Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, and Heart of Rocks Loop trails. Lower Rhyolite Canyon trail begins as an easy level walk in the lower canyon forest, but soon starts climbing up Rhyolite Canyon. Sarah Deming trail gains 880ft / 268m to reach the top of the ridge. Complete the Heart of Rocks Loop and return.

Option #3 - Echo Canyon Trailhead to Visitor Center

This route consists of Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, Heart of Rocks Loop, Sarah Deming, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am. Watch for changes in vegetation from the upper canyon areas to the lower canyon riparian areas.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

This Bonita Creek loops around the picnic area and takes you along the intermittent Bonita Creek. Watch for Apache plume and prickly poppy flowers in spring and early summer. Arizona whitetail deer are frequently seen in the lower portion of Bonita Canyon. This is a good trail to view grassland birds. This is an easy 0.2 mile loop.

Winding along Bonita Creek, usually dry, this trail connects the Bonita Creek and Faraway Ranch Picnic Areas. Look for wild animals, including migrating birds, deer, coatimundi, and javelina. This is an easy 0.5 mile trail.

Start from the Echo Canyon Parking area. Take the Echo Canyon Trail down toward the right. When it branches, follow signs for the Echo Canyon Trail to the right. You'll pass a variety of interesting balanced rocks and pinnacle. About 1/2 mile down, on your righthand side, are the Grottoes. These tunnel-like formations are fun to explore. Look for a small sign, because you could walk right past!

If you feel energetic you can continue to the switchbacks just another 1/4 mile, around the entire loop (3.3 miles) or turn around. Notice how different the rocks look on your way back!

This trail has loose rock and includes about 200 feet of elevation decline. The trail is generally suitable for children as well as adults. A hiking stick may be helpful for those with uneven footing and during the winter.

Echo Canyon, Hailstone, and Ed Riggs Trails form a triangular loop through some of the best rocks in the park. We recommend hiking counterclockwise (go right) for great views and because of elevation. The hike is a moderate 3.4 miles with some steep drop offs and loose, rocky, and uneven surfaces.

Echo Canyon trail descends 400 feet through spectacular rock formations. It is a wonder of engineering constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Hailstone Trail is almost level with sweeping views of the Wonderland of Rocks. Look for unusual stones that resemble hail. Desert yucca, agave, and cactus are abundant on Hailstone's sunny southern exposure.

Ed Riggs Trail climbs back up 400 feet to Echo Canyon parking or a bit further if you started from Massai Point.

Moderately difficult. Uneven terrain throughout. 1-25% grade with cross-slope up to 50%. Tripping hazards include rocks, boulders, roots, and run off channels. Total elevation: 560 feet.

This hike can be done in 2 hours, but most people prefer to give it 3 or 4 hours.

This moderate, 4.2 mile / 6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. One stream crossing on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous if runoff is significant. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the seasonal hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

The Heart of Rocks Loop is a 7.3 mile / 11.8 kilometer roundtrip hike to many of the most unusual rock formations in the monument, including Pinnacle Balanced Rock and Big Balanced Rock. Start the loop to the left and hike clockwise for the best views and easiest walking. Lots of rock steps make this a challenging loop, but it's worth the effort. There are three different ways to get to the loop, all of them being the same distance.

Option #1 - Heart of Rocks Loop from Echo Canyon Trailhead

This route consists of the Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, and Heart of Rocks Loop trails. This is an easier route to Heart of Rocks than starting from the visitor center with more views of the rock formations. Ed Riggs trail drops you into the canyon while Mushroom Rock trail climbs 610ft/186m up the other side. Big Balanced Rock trail is along the top of the ridge. Complete the Heart of Rocks Loop and return.

Option #2 - Heart of Rocks Loop from Visitor Center

This route consists of Lower Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, and Heart of Rocks Loop trails. Lower Rhyolite Canyon trail begins as an easy level walk in the lower canyon forest, but soon starts climbing up Rhyolite Canyon. Sarah Deming trail gains 880ft / 268m to reach the top of the ridge. Complete the Heart of Rocks Loop and return.

Option #3 - Echo Canyon Trailhead to Visitor Center

This route consists of Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, Big Balanced Rock, Heart of Rocks Loop, Sarah Deming, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am. Watch for changes in vegetation from the upper canyon areas to the lower canyon riparian areas.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

This 5.4 mile / 8.6 kilometer strenuous trail takes you to the Inspiration Point overlook. The route consists of Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock, and Inspiration Point trails. Excellent views of Cochise Head and Rhyolite Canyon make this a great rest stop!

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

This moderate, 4.2 mile / 6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. One stream crossing on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous if runoff is significant. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the seasonal hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

Hiking at Chiricahua National Monument is an experience like no other. Many of the trails immediately bring visitors into an epic landscape of rocks of all shapes and sizes. Visitors don't just gaze at the formations from above, but stand under and beside the towering giants.

A good way to view the rocks without driving up the road, this mostly-level trail takes you to Rhyolite Canyon, a canyon lined with rock pinnacles. Walk 1.5 miles / 2.4 km until you reach the junction between Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Sarah Deming trails. Return the same way.

Take in sweeping views, balanced rock formations, and the park’s geologic story from this short trail beginning at the Massai Point parking area. The half‑mile route starts on the north side, climbs to the exhibit building, and then follows the west rim south around the point. Interpretive signs describe how these unique formations developed over time.

Those looking to explore deeper into the rock formations can connect to the Ed Riggs Trail and the larger trail system.

Uneven footing, stairs, and the 6,870‑foot (2,094 m) elevation can make this short hike feel more challenging.

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.

The least used trail in the monument climbs through oak and juniper woodlands to a ridge then drops into the Apache pine forest of Picket Park. It ends at an overlook for the small water-carved bridge located across the canyon. Return the same way. This is a moderate 4.8 mile hike round trip.

Beginning from the Visitor Center, Campground, or Faraway Ranch picnic area, this 1.2 mile/1.9 kilometer leisurely walk leads you through the Faraway Ranch Historic District to Stafford Cabin, built in the 1880s. You'll see Silver Spur Meadow, home for Civilian Conservation Corps Camp NM-2-A, Company 828 during the 1930s. The fireplaces are remnants from the lodge of the Silver Spur Guest Ranch in business from 1948 to 1968. Stream crossings can be hazardous during winter snowmelt or summer monsoons. This is a dog-friendly trail.

Beginning from the Visitor Center, Campground, or Faraway Ranch picnic area, this 1.2 mile/1.9 kilometer leisurely walk leads you through the Faraway Ranch Historic District to Stafford Cabin, built in the 1880s. You'll see Silver Spur Meadow, home for Civilian Conservation Corps Camp NM-2-A, Company 828 during the 1930s. The fireplaces are remnants from the lodge of the Silver Spur Guest Ranch in business from 1948 to 1968. Stream crossings can be hazardous during winter snowmelt or summer monsoons. This is a dog-friendly trail.

This moderate trail to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is 1.8 miles/2.8 kilometers roundtrip. Rising above the surrounding canyons, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at 7,310ft/2,228m is one of the highest points in the monument. The dark rock is dacite, evidence of a lava flow. Lightning activity is monitored from the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed fire lookout during the summer. Return the same way. Access is from the Sugarloaf parking lot.

This moderate, 4.2 mile / 6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. One stream crossing on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous if runoff is significant. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the seasonal hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

For folks wanting to do everything, this strenuous, 9.5 mile route consists of the Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, Sarah Deming, Heart of Rocks, Big Balanced Rock, Inspiration Point, Mushroom Rock, and Ed Riggs trails. It features our balanced rocks. The trail begins from the Echo Canyon trailhead.