Directions & Transportation

 
maps showing communities in cochise county
The gray roads in this image are unpaved, primitive roads, and may take additional time to drive. Download an area map for offline use before you arrive, because reception is limited.

NPS

Getting Here

Private car is the best, if not only way to reach the park. Rideshare apps and taxi services do not exist or operate in the park or nearby communities.

Make sure to get fueled or charged up before getting on Hwy 186 or Hwy 181. E-vehicle charging, gas, groceries, ice, and fuel are 30-40 miles from the monument. Willcox and Sunizona are the last towns with gas and basic supplies.

Driving from North, West, or East: I-10 connects to Hwy 186 in Willcox (Take Exit 336, 340, or 344 and follow brown signs to HWY 186 South). Follow 186 for 32 miles then take a left on to Hwy 181. Park is straight ahead 4 miles.

Driving from South or Southwest: Hwy 191 meets Hwy 181 in Sunizona (Pearce, AZ). Follow Hwy 181 for about 26 miles (stay on the pavement through several sharp turns).

Driving from Portal, Rodeo, or Bowie: If you prefer pavement, go through Willcox or Douglas. Pinery Canyon (FR 42) and Apache Pass are winding, rocky, dirt roads. They remain open in all weather, but may become impassible after snow or rain. High clearance or 4 wheel drive is recommended for Pinery Canyon Rd.

FYI: There is only one entrance to the Chiricahua National Monument. The paved monument road does not go "through to the other side", but ends at Massai Point.

Nearest Airport: TUS (Tucson)
Airports within 6 hours: PHX (Phoenix), ELP (El Paso), ABQ (Albuquerque)

Maps

 

Use this address for GPS directions. We recommend downloading the map for offline use - you will lose cell reception. 

 

Parking Lots

Most parking areas in Chiricahua National Monument cannot support oversized vehicles or trailers. To make the most of your experience, bring a standard size vehicle (under 24 feet).

Parking Lot

Bonita Creek Parking Lot - 29 ft Limit

  • 9 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.00964531075583, -109.38400268554688

Live Status

Bonita Creek Parking lot provides access to the paved Bonita Creek Loop, a large picnic area, and a vault toilet. No overnight parking.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Echo Canyon Parking - 24 ft Length Limit

  • 19 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.012015380451054, -109.31584350307958

Live Status

This small parking lot is the primary access point for hikes into the Echo Canyon. No oversized parking - 24 foot limit. Echo Canyon Parking can fill up quickly during February, March, April, and on holiday weekends. When full, visitors should consider starting their hike from Massai Point Parking or Sugarloaf Parking. No overnight parking. No camping, trailers, or oversized vehicles.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Massai Point Parking - 24 ft Length Limit

  • 25 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.007379977432635, -109.31221604347229

Live Status

Massai Point Parking provides access to amazing views of the rocks, picnic tables, the short nature trail, an exhibit building, and connects to the full trail network. No overnight parking. No camping, trailers, or oversized parking.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Natural Bridge Parking Area - 24 ft Limit

  • 3 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.022518148921634, -109.34893994893775

Live Status

This small pullout provides parking for 3 vehicles to access the Natural Bridge Trail. Cars should angle into the parking area to leave space for other vehicles. No overnight parking. No camping, trailers, or oversized vehicles.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Sugarloaf Parking - 24 ft Limit

  • 17 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.01643872192224, -109.32122262526184

Live Status

Sugarloaf Parking provides access to the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail. It has a picnic table and vault toilet. No overnight parking. No camping, trailers, or oversized vehicles.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Visitor Center Overflow Parking

  • 0 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.006101722476785, -109.35851097106934

Live Status

When the Visitor Center Parking is full, visitors may need to park along the Rhyolite Creek Rd. Visitors are asked to pull off to the right side of the gravel to allow others to pass. Drivers will find a few areas where normal vehicles may turn around. This road may not be suitable for oversized vehicles or trailers due to a significant dip and lack of turn around.

Image Gallery

Parking Lot

Visitor Center Parking - 29 ft Length Limit

  • 25 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 32.005606748675, -109.35620580279294

Live Status

Lot is directly in front of visitor center. Spaces accommodate standard size vehicles without trailers. No overnight parking. No camping.

Image Gallery

Last updated: May 24, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643

Phone:

520 824-3560
The visitor center phone is staffed from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily. If we don't answer we may be helping others. Please leave a message with your phone number. We do not have caller ID. If calling while driving nearby, please pull over as cell reception will likely cut out.

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected