## Overview

 Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, also known as the \"Wonderland of Rocks\". Visitors love Chiricahua for its stunning rock columns (hoodoos), hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities.\_\_ NOTE: Vehicles and RV\'s longer than 24 feet are NOT permitted on the scenic drive beyond the campground. Trailers are not permitted on the Scenic Drive. [See campground regulations and map.][1]\_\_ \_\_ 
## Recreation

 Chiricahua National Monument offers 17 miles (27 km) of day-use hiking trails. Birders frequent this site for the diversity of species that reside in or migrate through the area. Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges which make for stunning photography opportunities at Massai Point, the end of the 8-mile (13 km), paved scenic drive. No backcountry camping is permitted in the park. The Coronado National Forest surrounds Chiricahua and may offer dispersed or other [camping opportunities][2] as well as [reservations for developed campgrounds][3]. 
## Facilities

 IMPORTANT: Total maximum length for Vehicle + trailer or RV is 29 ft (9 m) and only a few sites will accomodate RVs. Please confirm that the length of campsite is long enough for both your trailer and vehicle before booking. Most sites are narrow and will not accommodate side by side parking. Some sites are difficult to back into due to sharp angles.\_\_Crossing the two creek bed dips can be difficult for longer vehicles. See [campground map][1].\_\_ Utility (electricity, water, sewer) hookups are not available. There are no dump stations (the closest is in Willcox, AZ). An individual campsite will accommodate a maximum of 8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents. All vehicles must be parked within the campsite driveway. Parking is not available or permitted on shoulders of campground road and overnight parking at other parking areas within the Monument is not permitted.\_\_\_\_ Site #8 is reserved for accessible needs only and has an electric utility box for connection of medical equipment only.\_\_ The restroom has flush toilets and cold water sinks but no showers. Potable drinking water faucets are provided. The park prohibits filling RV or trailer water tanks.\_\_ All sites have a picnic table, raised grill, food storage box, and tent pad. Please bring your own firewood or charcoal. Use of raised portable fire pans is permitted. Hanging of hammocks or any items from trees or other vegetation is not permitted. Quiet hours are from 8:00 p.m to 8:00 a.m. with no generator use or other loud noises allowed during this time.\_\_ There isn\'t any camping for people with horses or horse trailers within the park. Please check opportunities for [Horse Riding &amp; Camping within the Coronado National Forest.][4]\_\_ 
## Natural Features

 Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites are well shaded and have views of Bonita Creek which is dry most of the year,\_\_ 
## Nearby Attractions

 The park visitor center is open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (except Thanksgiving Day and December 25). Inside you will find interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park, plus a Western National Parks Association store.\_\_ Visitors may explore [Faraway Ranch][5] , originally the Erickson family pioneer homestead, converted into a 20th century guest ranch by the family daughters and currently an historic site. For more information visit the [Chiricahua National Monument website.][6] \_\_\_\_ Nearby [Fort Bowie National Historic Site][7], [Coronado National Memorial][8], the [Coronado National Forest][9], Portal/Cave Creek, Tombstone, Bisbee, and Willcox are additional places visitors to Chiricahua may also enjoy exploring. 
## Charges &amp; Cancellations



[1]: https://www.nps.gov/chir/planyourvisit/upload/SB-CG-rules_regs_online_res-ACC-2.pdf
[2]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/coronado/recreation/camping-cabins
[3]: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1093
[4]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/coronado/recreation/horseriding-camping
[5]: https://www.nps.gov/chir/planyourvisit/faraway-ranch-historic-district.htm
[6]: https://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm
[7]: https://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm
[8]: https://www.nps.gov/coro/index.htm
[9]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/coronado

Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

My husband, myself and our 2 small dogs live in Tucson, AZ. We recently acquired a roof top tent and we’ve been trying out various campgrounds across the Southwest. 

This is still one of our favorite National Parks to stay at. The sites were “pull though” so it’s perfect for our Roof Top Tent set up. Plenty of trees and hiking opportunities. Honestly, it’s worth the trip just to see the coatimundis. They are ADORABLE!

Pros: Coatis! Scenery. Easy to access. Water. Bear boxes. 

Cons: As typical in National Parks, the majority of hiking trails are not dog friendly. No showers. no fire pits, just BBQ that can be used for cooking with fire. 

One of our favorites

The campground is beautiful and the national monument feels very spiritual.  If you have not explored this southeast corner of Arizona, you are missing out!

Chiricahua National Monument is very underrated!

Super underrated and amazing national monument on the south eastern border of Arizona.  Definitely worth a stop in!

Chiricahua National Monument!

So much shade and nature. Had a wonderful hike right by our campsite. Bear box does hold a lot. BBQ is used for campfires and it was actually perfect. Had a water Spicket right by our camp. The  bathrooms were very clean and even had soap to wash your hands. Camp host, Steve, was very helpful. Went on a weekday end of May and it was very quiet. Don’t notice your neighbors really.

Very relaxing place

Small, quiet campground in Chiricahua National Monument with a dutiful camp host and clean bathrooms. Ample water throughout the site and food storage lockers provided. Did not see bears but enjoyed great birding and observed a large family of coati on our day hike. Your phone will be of little use except taking pictures unless you drive to the top of the mountain where the view are amazing and several trailheads lead into the hoodoos.

Bryce Canyon of AZ

Beautiful and unexpected. The drive getting there is pretty disappointing however when you arrive the land scale completely changes. We have camped here twice. The first time tent camping in site 3 which was good but not a ton of privacy. The second time in our 23’ travel trailer In Site 11. Super cool very private spot (next to amphitheater but with COVID nothing was scheduled) may not be as private when people are attending amphitheater. but this site is NOT intended for trailers, the site is intended for tents however we had the reservation for so long they allowed us to attempt to stay and park the trailer. We did but other ground was very uneven. GREAT campground, quiet, cool hikes. They have blue birds that look like the angry birds and they are a nuisance dropping twigs in your food and coffee and tormenting your dog if you bring it. STILL AWESOME.

Hidden GEM

We just returned from a two night stay. It was one of the most beautiful campgrounds ever. It was quiet, shady, clean and small. A wonderful trail is within the campground that takes you to the visitor center and beyond. Only 25 spots and even though they are close, you feel alone. Can’t wait to go back!

One of the most beautiful 

No shower but clean restroom and beautiful trails

quiet, beautiful

No power or shower but worth it. Tough hiking with spectacular scenery. Love it here!!

Rustic beauty

Small but adequate campground in the National Monument.  Some sites are tight for a trailer.  Fabulous hiking nearby. 

RV Comfy

Remote, quiet, dark skies. Great campground with amazing hiking within the Monument.
Large campsites

Hidden gem

Great little campground with great camp hosts. The campground is clean and quiet. Park rangers are friendly and helpful. Nice clean bathroom with flush toilets.

Bonita Canyon Campground

This is an incredible place. Campground was constructed in the 30’s by the CCC and its impeccably maintained by NPS, it’s no surprise that it is about to become AZ’s fourth National Park. 

OMG!

Bonita canyon campground is the perfect place to camp, great for small groups in normal sites, group site are available. Perfect place to watch the sky at night and take amazing pictures.

Perfect place to camp!

We've stayed here a number of times, always in March. Very nice, quiet campground in a wooded canyon with a small stream running right through the CG. There are 25 sites, mostly smallish, better suited for small rvs/trailers or tents. Not enough room for very rigs in here. 

Water spigots are scattered throughout, 1 restroom with flush toilet. Last time we were there they had an issue with water system and had to shut it off and bring in port-a-potties.

As far as other amenities, there's spotty cell service (at least Verizon) and Wifi at the visitor center not far from the CG. Nearest services and dump station are in Willcox, 37 miles away. There's also a gas station/convenience store at a place called the Mustang Mall (it's not a mall in the usual sense), 29 miles west of Bonita.

A number of good hiking trails, mostly up on top at Massai Point with a few additional trails starting at the CG. Our favorite is Echo Canyon to the Visitor Cntr.

One important note: Ground fires are not allowed (at least as of 2023), which means you can have one in the above ground little BBQ grill or you have to have your own fire pan to have a wood fire. Speaking of which, no wood is for sale at the Monument nor are you allowed to gather it.

So, bring everything you need!!

Old school CCC built campground in an out of the way location

Bonita Canyon Campground at the Chiricahua National Monument is a quiet little campground in a scrub pine forest. Chiricahua National Monument is a  “dark sky” park, so there is very little light at night. Bring flashlights but leave lanterns at home!
There are 36 sites with picnic tables and grills. There are community water faucets, but all were turned off when we were there.
There are bathrooms with flush toilet, but no hookups or showers.
Most sites are small and could accommodate tents, a small class C or van campers. 25’ is the max length and 14 days is max stay.
The sign said the campground was full but there were empty sites. All sites are reservable through the www.US.gov web site.