Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness

The Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness is an 11,700-acre area managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Bowie County, Arizona. This wilderness is open for the public to visit at any time unless otherwise noted by the BLM, and the area sits within the Dos Cabezas mountain range. The name comes from the Spanish phrase for "two heads" and refers to the highest two granite peaks that are formed in the range.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Echo Canyon Trail

Echo Canyon Trail is a walking trail that connects by a loop and mainly follows a decline. Along the trail, you can walk through natural rock arches.

Length: 4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Bonita Creek Trail

The Bonita Creek Trail is a short trail that follows a mild desert terrain. Along the trail path, you'll find lots of beautiful wildflowers.

Length: 1 mile

Intensity: Easy

Big Loop Trail

The Big Loop Trail is a loop that connects via multiple shorter trails around the Chiricahua National Monument.

Length: 8.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Climbing

Rock climbers love to come to the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness to get the unique experience of climbing the Dos Cabezas Mountains in a secluded space. From the tops of the taller mountains in the range, you can see the Sulphur Springs and San Simon Valleys in the distance.

Wildlife Viewing

Another popular activity in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness is wildlife viewing. Large animals like deer and mountain lions frequent the area, and birds like the golden eagle and bald eagle abound. The once-endangered peregrine falcon is known to migrate through this wilderness as well. Lots of wildlife make this wilderness their home, including white-tail deer, golden eagles, and collared lizards. There are also reports of a jaguar in the area, one of only two known to live in the state of Arizona.

Picnicking

Picnicking is permitted in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness so long as you clean up after yourself and do not feed the wildlife. You won't find picnic tables and shelters on the wilderness land, though, so be sure to bring your own chairs, blankets, or towels to sit on if you choose to enjoy a meal in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness.

Stargazing

The Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness area is the perfect place for stargazers and amateur astronomers to set up an overnight watch on the sky. Since there are not many trees and tall shrubs to obscure the sky, and the area is far from large cities, making light pollution disappear, this desert area works well for stargazing. Keep in mind, though, that the nights tend to be quite cold year-round, so bring extra jackets and blankets as needed.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

If you'd like to experience the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness but don't want to leave the luxury of electrical and water hookups behind, consider RV camping at local spots like the Willcox/ Cochise, Arizona KOA Holiday. This campground offers full hookups and water services to guests, and there are a pool and free breakfast options on the grounds. You may also like Grande Vista RV Park, a nearby campground with the same electric and water amenities.

Free Camping

If you're searching for "BLM camping near me," consider staying right in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness. This area is a Bureau of Land Management free camping option though RVs and other motorized vehicles are not permitted onto this managed land. Because it's a wilderness area, the BLM wants to keep the environment here as natural as possible. However, tent and backpack camping is permitted, and you can set up your campsite anywhere you'd like in the wilderness area so long as you do not disturb any wildlife or running water.

RV Rentals Near Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness BLM trip

If you are planning to stay on the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness land, remember that motorized vehicles and modes of transportation with wheels, like wagons and bicycles, are not allowed, so consider packing light so that you can carry your supplies yourself. It's also important to remember that temperatures in the Arizona desert range widely from day to night, so you may need to bring sunscreen for the hot days and warm clothing for the chilly nights.

By choosing to stay at a Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, you're choosing to camp right in the heart of nature, away from the buzz of city life. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whenever you are in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness, you will be required to follow the Leave No Trace policy put in place by the BLM. This policy requires you to pack out whatever you pack in, meaning anything you bring into the area must come back out with you. This includes any trash or waste, even if it is biodegradable, as there are no trash bins in the wilderness area. You will also be required to avoid contact with the wildlife, not feed any animals, and tend any campfires you start.

Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness Location

To reach the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness from Tucson, start by taking I-10 East for about 105 miles. From there, take exit 362 toward Bowie; then, turn right onto South Apache Pass Road, and follow it for about five miles. After that, take a slight right onto South Happy Camp Canyon, and you will reach the wilderness in 5.5 miles.

Ready to visit Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.