Horseshoe Two Fire- 2011

On May 8, 2011, the Horseshoe Two Fire started on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains near the community of Portal.  The fire continued to burn steadily, heading to the northwest, and on June 8, the fire reached Chiricahua National Monument, burning into the southeast corner of the park.  In total, the Horseshoe Two Fire burned a total of 223,000 acres within the Chiricahua Mountains. No structures were lost at Chiricahua National Monument; however 100% of the acreage did burn to some extent.  While the fire burned intensely in some areas of the park, patches of green, and natural sources of water are still to be found.

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Camping

Reservations are not accepted for the 25 individual campsites at Bonita Canyon Campground. Maximum vehicle length for trailers and recreational vehicles is 29 feet.

Backcountry camping is available in the surrounding Coronado National Forest land. Call the Douglas Forest Service Office for more information 520-364-3468, or check www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado.

Hiking

Trails range from short and paved to all day adventures. The trail guide provides detailed trail descriptions. The hikers' shuttle is a limited service that leaves the visitor center daily at 8:30 a.m.

Protect yourself. Don't forget your hat, sunscreen, drinking water, and sturdy shoes.

Faraway Ranch Historic District

Faraway Ranch was the home of Swedish immigrants, Neil and Emma Erickson, who settled in Bonita Canyon in the late 1880s.Their home evolved from a simple homestead to a thriving guest ranch that was in operation from 1917 to 1972. Explore the grounds on your own, or check at the visitor center for tour times of the house.

Sky Islands

The Chiricahua Mountains are one of the many "sky island" ranges in southern Arizona. They rise like islands from the surrounding grassland "sea". Plants and animals from four ecosystems; Rocky Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, Sonoran & Chihuahuan Deserts, meet here. Watch for black bear, mountain lions, Arizona white-tail deer, coati-mundis, snakes & lizards, and a variety of birds.