Arizona / Cochise County / Chiricahua National Monument

Bonita Canyon Campground

Open — Open year-round by reservation only. All 23 sites are reservable up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov. No first-come, first-served camping available. Peak season is January through April and October.

About

Bonita Canyon Campground is located within Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona, a landscape renowned for its towering hoodoos and balanced rock formations. This small, historic campground features 23 sites nestled among mature pine and oak trees at approximately 5,400 feet elevation, offering a cool mountain retreat with well-shaded sites overlooking Bonita Creek, which remains dry most of the year. The campground provides an ideal base for exploring the monument's 17 miles of day-use hiking trails and the 8-mile paved scenic drive to Massai Point. Birders are drawn to the area for its exceptional diversity of species ranging from Alaska to South America. The campground operates year-round with all sites available by reservation only through Recreation.gov, bookable up to six months in advance. Peak season runs from January through April and during October, with holidays seeing particularly high demand. Strict vehicle length restrictions apply due to a dip in the access road that can damage vehicles over 29 feet. Many sites are best suited for tents or smaller RVs, though some can accommodate larger vehicles up to the 29-foot maximum. The campground maintains a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with no hookups, showers, or dump station, emphasizing a more rustic camping experience in this unique National Monument landscape.

Directions

From I-10 take exit 336 toward Willcox. Drive 4 miles, turn left onto AZ-186 E for 31 miles. Turn left onto AZ-181 E for 4 miles, then veer left onto E Bonita Canyon Road. The campground is 2.5 miles past the entrance station on the left. Vehicles over 29 feet must park at Faraway Ranch parking area 1 mile after entrance. Trailers must be disconnected at Faraway unless proceeding to campground with reservation.

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