What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Aravaipa Canyon Trail
Along the Aravaipa Canyon Trail, you'll cross a stream several times and enjoy the shade of cottonwood trees. You have a chance of seeing turkeys or deer. This out-and-back trail is open all year.
Length: 9.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Turkey Creek Trail
Turkey Creek Trail in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness features one of the most intact cliff-dwellings in southeastern Arizona. The best months to take this hike are March through October.
Length: 4.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Echo Canyon Loop
Many hikers recommend going counterclockwise along Echo Canyon Loop in the Chiricahua National Monument. It has beautiful rock formations and lots of birdwatching opportunities. Because there's not a lot of shade along the route, you may want to take the hike when the temperature is below the 80s. The trail is open all year.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Silver Spur Meadow Trail
Silver Spur Meadow Trail is an easy hike in the Chiricahua National Monument. It has birdwatching opportunities and a creek bed. You may also spot deer or turkeys while hiking.
Length: 2.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Trout is a common species of fish you can catch in this region. You could fish at Fourmile Canyon Campground, the Kern River, and Aravaipa Creek. Aravaipa Creek is great for native species like roundtail chub, desert sucker, Sonora sucker, longfin dace, and speckled dace.
Climbing
Beautiful areas for rock climbing near the Fourmile Canyon Campground are the Chiricahua Mountains and Mount Glenn. The Chiricahua Mountains feature big walls, spires and cliffs and more moderate temperatures than some other rock-climbing spots in Arizona.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife spotting opportunities in Fourmile Canyon include desert birds, Gila monsters, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. Pay attention to cliffs in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness if you'd like to spot bighorn sheep. You may also see nesting areas of desert birds, woodpeckers, and owls along rocky ledges.
Picnicking
Fourmile Canyon Campground has picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite. You must bring your own firewood. Drinking water is sometimes available, depending on the season. Riggs Flat Campground and Hospital Flat Campground are other areas where you can have a picnic.
Hunting
Bow and arrow hunting is allowed during certain seasons in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. Game you could target in the region includes turkeys, deer, and javelina.
Horseback Riding
You can explore the Aravaipa Canyon on horseback. Keep in mind that horses aren't allowed to stay overnight in the Aravaipa Canyon, and groups are limited to five riders. Fall, spring, and winter are the best seasons for horseback riding. The temperature is hot in the summer and creeks may be dried up.
