Location: Willcox
Top Things to do in Willcox
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What to do and see in Willcox, Arizona (AZ): The Best Nature & Parks
Willcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 3,757.
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1. Chiricahua National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 779 reviews
The unusual rock formations at this popular hiking site were caused by a massive volcanic eruption 27 million years ago.
Reviewed By keithbporter - Tucson, United States
Some of the best trails in all of Arizona. You will not be disappointed. The views are incredible, the trails well maintained, facilities are very clean. Be sure to bring a camera, lots of water, light snack or small lunch, and hike all day. I would highly recommend "The Big Loop" counter clockwise (BEST VIEWS). "The Big Loop" and traverses multiple connecting trails in the Chiricahua NM. Begin at the Echo Canyon trailhead, then veer left on Ed Riggs trail, connect to Mushroom Rock Trail, then Big Balanced Rock Trail, make sure to do the Heart of Rocks Loop, after that, then Sarah Deming Trail, connect to Upper Rhyolite Canyon Trail, and then finish up with Echo Canyon Trail. You'll end up right where you started, but richer in experiencing the beauty of nature!
2. Heart of Rocks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Explore a 'Wonderland of Rocks' on this seven-mile hiking circuit past weathered stone stacks and pinnacles.
Reviewed By Susie1028 - San Diego, United States
I completed the Heart of Rocks Trail from Echo Canyon, which is the easiest way to do it (7.3 miles). The Heart of Rocks Trail is definitely the best trail in the park. The hoodoos and rock formations are just amazing.
3. Muleshoe Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Please note that effective 04/15/2020 the Muleshoe Ranch headquarters, day use parking lots, trails, casitas, facilities are closed to the public due to COVID. To visit the back country , please take Jackson Cabin road 3 miles past headquarters to public lands. There is no parking and no staff on site to assist visitors at Muleshoe Headquarters.
Reviewed By jmesh - Prescott, United States
It is NOT a spa, plush, lively,gourmet or easy to get to! It IS a long ride on a dirt road, AWD recommended, RUSTIC, PEACEFUL, QUIET, CLEAN AND COMFY. TNC is not in the business of providing high end accomadations. They are in the business of providing nature. If their property has rooms, casitas etc they rent them. All very adequate. We stayed in the King Casita, owners house for two nights, we left a day early do to probable rain storm. You don't want to get stuck, the road can be difficult. A very nice common room with games etc. Natural hot tubs are very hot, clean soothing. The Bass Canyon Trail is excellent. 4+ miles, can get confusing so pay attention. Nature Trail also nice. Terri the manager and Ron and Ben were most helpful, pleasant and accommodating. We returned to the I-10 via Benson,,nice drive, good dirt road. Would return....j
4. Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Located here are the carefully preserved ruins of Fort Bowie, a focal point of the battle between the U.S. Army and the Apaches.
Reviewed By 805williamm - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
This is a “Must Visit” place if you are interested in the History of the American West. There are 2 ways to get to Fort Bowie, either by walking a 1.5 Mile trail, or by taking the “Disabled Visitor” vehicle route, which is signposted for “Disabled Visitors Only”. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TRAIL IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESIBLE. If you don’t think you can manage the trail, take this route. The Trail Head is located 13 Miles from the town of Bowie, or approximately 30 Miles from the town of Wilcox. If you travel from the town of Bowie, you will see the sign for the disabled route on the left-hand side of the road, approximately 2.25 Miles from the Trail Head car park. There are Toilets, Picnic Tables, Trash Cans & Information Boards at the trail head. There are no toilets on the trail. The trail itself is very interesting, you will cross a dry stream bed (Depending on the weather, Flash floods can appear very quickly, they can also dissipate very quickly) so please take care, (Remember “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”). There are the remains of an old miner’s cabin, further along you will find the remains of the old Butterfield Stage Coach Station, the Cemetery, The site of “The Battle Of Apache Pass”, Apache Spring, The Remains of the 1st Fort Bowie, The 2nd Fort Bowie & Bascoms Camp, all set in some beautiful scenery, some wonderful views. There are also a lot of different plants and animals, (Beware Of Rattlesnakes), the whole area is very quiet & peaceful, and all this before you get to Fort Bowie itself. Once at Fort Bowie, there is a lot to see. There are a lot of ruins to explore, some of them are Archeological sites. Some of the buildings are:- The Cavalry Barracks, The Walls of the Corral, The Guard House, The Bath House & Laundry, Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters. The Powder Magazine and the Gun House, just to mention a few. The Park & Trails are open every day from Sunrise to Sunset. The Cemetery deserves a mention in itself. It was built and in use before Fort Bowie was built and was still in use after the Fort was abandoned. The Cemetery was at one time nearly full, with both Military & Civilian burials. After the Fort closed, some of the families had their relatives (Both Military & Civilian) removed and re-buried at San Francisco National Cemetery. There are still somewhere between 23 & 33 people buried here. One of the people who was buried here is a Medal Of Honor Recipient. One of Geronimo’s son’s “Little Robe”, is buried here, the soldiers of the fort had taken a liking to the little boy, he died of Dysentery on the 10th September 1885. On the 27th September another little Apache boy died, his Name & Age are not known, but the soldiers of Fort Bowie looked after him and buried him here also. I personally do not know if they are still here, but it is thought that they are. The Cemetery is well maintained and worth stopping for a while, to reflect on the past, what has happened in this area (25 Years of conflict between the US Army & the Chiricahua Apache), and to pay respects to those who are still here. There is a lot of information at the Visitor Centre (Open Wednesday to Sunday 08:30 ~ 16:00 Mountain Standard Time). Remember that Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. There are also toilets and picnic tables here, so after having explored the Fort, you can rest here before starting the journey back along the trail to your car. There are actually 2 trails back to the trail head, the one you came along to get here. Information about the other one, (Which is a lot steeper in places) is available at the visitor centre. If you take the second trail back to your car, you get a view of what the Apache view would have been when they attacked the Butterfield Stage Coach Station. The trails to and from Fort Bowie can be very hot and dusty, when we were there in September 2018, the Temperature along the trail in Apache Valley reached 100OF / 30OC, there wasn’t the slightest breath of wind, not even a breeze, and we were the only people on the trail, so take your time, carry and drink plenty of water. When you get back to the trail head and your car, if you head towards Wilcox for approximately 1.5 Miles there is parking area on the right-hand side of the road, just after you have rounded a right-hand bend. Stop here and walk across the road. Just in front of where you are stood lies what is left of the old stagecoach road, it was here that the massacre of the occupants of a Butterfield Stagecoach took place.
5. Apache Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
An important water source for Fort Bowie.
Reviewed By 842meganf
Apache springs is seen on the 3 mile round trip (1.5 each way) to ft. bowie NPS visitor center and ruins. It is well signed, well maintained and informative. There is a cool mock Indian hut for the kids to see and sit in ( adults ..myself too). The springs is a nice surplice from the open sun exposed terrain prior. There is a sign stating do not drink from FYI. The trail here is beautifully shaded by large trees and is a beautiful area. We had 5 kiddoes with us and they all enjoyed and did well..1,2,4,8,10 The spring itself is more of a soft flow, nothing impressive for the water works. I asked the ranger and she said what is flowing now is kind of what usually flows ( not a lot) A nice hike!
6. Massai Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
Great stop to see the Hoodoos of Chiricahua. This is the final stop of the road and while there are trailheads from here into the rocks, the main feature is a short hike to an overlook. We did not arrive until late in the afternoon. However, I would imagine this place would be amazing in the morning from a sun perspective.
7. Willcox Playa Wildlife Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Polarbear95404 - Hungry Horse, United States
We got in a bit late... about an hour before sunset. Followed path toward lake (which we never seemed to get closer to!). Sun was setting. Decided to head back to RV. And suddenly wave after wave of Sand Hill cranes flew over us. My husband referenced the Flying Monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. Really amazing! They summer near us on the Red Cedar River in WI. It was a great treat to see them come together in their winter home. Be warned... they return as the sun is setting. It's a small window... but an awesome experience!
8. Cochise Lake
9. Chiricahua National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
