Willcox and the Chiricahua Mountains

These wondrous, storied mountains far east of Tucson [1], near the New Mexico border, comprise one of the most unique, diverse ranges in the state. Rugged and remote, this area is recommended primarily for its scenic qualities, unless you’re a wilderness lover, a hiker, or a camper.

The easiest way to see the mountains is to visit Chiricahua National Monument [2], where you can drive to the top of an overlook and behold an awesome view. On the way, stop off at the Amerind Foundation [3] and learn about the Chiricahua Apache and other Native Americans, and in dusty, dilapidated Willcox you’ll find a few quirky reminders of the old Southwest.

Though the former railroad and ranching town of Willcox has seen better days, the canyons, mountains, and grasslands around it are worth the 80-mile drive east on I-10 from Tucson. Willcox today has a few boarded-up buildings and abandoned motels along its main thoroughfare, but its historic downtown [4] holds some interest and is worth a mosey.

The famous singing cowboy Rex Allen grew up in the area, and a museum and an annual festival honor that fact. Willcox is also known as the place where Wyatt’s brother Warren Earp met with a bullet in 1900, and was later buried in the Historic Willcox Cemetery.

For information and advice on getting out into the less-accessible regions of the Chiricahua range, contact the Douglas Ranger District (1192 W. Saddleview Rd., 520/364-3468, Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), 2.2 miles north of Highway 80 on Highway 191 in Douglas.

Getting to Willcox and the Chiricahua Mountains

A trip to this area takes to you some fairly remote locals, so I’d recommend, just this once, shooting here as quick as you can along the 75-mile-per-hour I-10. It’s an 82-mile drive to Willcox from Tucson [1], and from there it’s another 35 miles to Chiricahua National Monument [2] southeast along Highway 186.

Gas up before you leave Willcox, and bring food and water and whatever else you think you might want. All the other sights in this section can be easily accessed off I-10 before you get to Willcox, and are well signed.