Date: January 25, 2017
Coronado National Memorial is pleased to announce the return of free, ranger-guided programs in the park. Late winter and early spring are ideal seasons to join park rangers for a hike to explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Mild daytime temperatures ensure comfortable hiking conditions in the park’s oak woodlands and mountainous terrain. All programs are free of charge, and no reservations are necessary.
Ranger-led Coronado Cave tours leave from the Coronado Cave trailhead, ¼ mile west of the visitor center, on Saturdays at 10:00 am from January 28 to April 8. The cave is nestled in a limestone layer at the base of the complex geological puzzle that is Montezuma Peak. Exposed in the beam of a flashlight or headlamp, cave formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and columns emerge from the darkness. This guided hike and cave tour requires a moderate, one-mile round-trip hike to the cave entrance (500 foot elevation gain), and a steep, 40-foot rocky descent from the cave entrance to the cave floor. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries, gloves, water, and sun protection. Sturdy shoes are required due to the uneven terrain. The tour lasts approximately two hours. Groups of 10 or more should call the park to arrange a group tour.
The park is pleased to offer a new service – a free hiker shuttle from the visitor center to Montezuma Pass. Beginning on January 26, a shuttle van will leave the visitor center every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 am to transport riders to Montezuma Pass where hikers can take the 3-mile Joe’s Canyon Trail back to their vehicle and the visitor center. Riders can also opt to take in the views and spend about 20 minutes at the overlook before taking the shuttle back down to the visitor center. Seats will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Check in at the visitor center to sign-up the day of the shuttle. Due to capacity limits of the shuttle van, we cannot accommodate large groups (hiking groups, etc). Contact the park for more information.
Attend a special lecture given by archaeologist and historian Dr. Deni Seymour. Learn about how the San Pedro River got its name and about those who lived in the San Pedro River Valley before and after the Coronado Expedition arrived in the area nearly 500 years ago. Join Dr. Seymour for an outdoor presentation (weather permitting) in the picnic area on Saturday, March 11 at 1:00pm.
The park is open every day a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. The visitor center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information about programs or directions to the park, please contact the visitor center staff at 520-366-5515, ext. 0, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/coro or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coronadonationalmemorial.
