Cochise County: Room To Roam
Tucked into Arizona’s lower right corner, Cochise County invites you to disconnect and recharge.
The expanse of mountain and sky, from sunrise to sunset, makes flipping your phone from selfie to scenic simple. Discover a just-right climate, with short-sleeve temperatures, sunny days, and starry nights. Prepare to fill up on fresh air, brilliant stars, and clear blue skies.
Cochise County has so many amazing communities, small towns, and rural areas that you could endlessly explore the county and still never see everything.
DRAGOON
The town of Dragoon and the rugged Dragoon Mountains, located off Interstate 10 between Benson and Willcox, are named after a United States cavalry unit.
Today, Dragoon is home to Texas Canyon, the Amerind Museum, a one-of-a-kind anthropological and archaeological collection, and one of the most eye-popping rest areas in the region.
The local Triangle T Historic Ranch is a great place to enjoy some Old West hospitality. It was once the film location for such movies as 3:10 to Yuma and Tombstone.
FORT HUACHUCA
Used by the U.S. Army since 1877, this fort is 15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border and has a long history as a military base.
Located outside of Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca was originally a camp built to guard settlers and travel routes in southeastern Arizona from the local Apaches. It was later designated as a fort in 1882. African-American troops, known as Buffalo Soldiers, of the 10th Cavalry arrived in 1913 and occupied the base for nearly 20 years.
Today, Fort Huachuca remains a major military installation in Arizona, and is proud to be one of the most prominent in the Southwest.
Photo Credit: Amanda Baillie
PEARCE / SUNSITES
Pearce and Sunsites are adjacent unincorporated communities in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
Located between the Cochise Stronghold, Chiricahua National Monument, and the winter Sandhill Crane refuge of Whitewater Draw the area is popular with birders, history buffs, hikers, and climbers.
Pearce is best known as a historic ghost town. The region is also known for its milder summers, with an elevation of 4,400 feet, which makes it ideal for quality grapes and vineyards.
ST. DAVID
A popular choice for birders, wildlife watchers, and those seeking reflection, the town of St. David is a peaceful location to bed down while exploring surrounding Cochise County.
Today, it is home to the Holy Trinity Monastery, a Benedictine monastery that welcomes visitors seeking quiet time. Peacocks stroll the grounds, which also host a museum and multiple gardens for contemplation. More than 400 species of birds migrate through the region, bringing avid birders to town, life bird lists in hand.
Others stay in St. David as it is close to Southern Arizona’s exceptional wineries.
TOMBSTONE
The Bird Cage Theatre is Tombstone’s most authentic attraction and one of the West’s most famous landmarks. Reportedly haunted, this circa-1881 landmark once housed a brothel and gambling hall in Tombstone.
The Good Enough Mine Tour is a half-mile hike underground. Spend 2.5 hours exploring the crown jewel of the Tombstone Mining District.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a 30-second gunfight between outlaw Cowboys and lawmen that is generally regarded as the most famous gunfight in the history of the American Wild West. See Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil, and Morgan Earp fight the McLaurys and Clantons in daily reenactments at the O.K. Corral®.
There are many graveyards in the West called Boot Hill or Boothill, but the most notable is in Tombstone, the resting place of the three cattle rustlers (Billy Clanton, and Frank and Tom McLaury) involved in the infamous OK Corral shootout, and who didn’t make it out alive.
Get a glimpse of the true Old West at Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. Today, the 12,000 square foot courthouse is a museum filled with the glitter and guns of those who tamed the territory.
RESOURCES
Looking for more information on Cochise County? Check out the resources below.
| 1 | The Arizona Visitor Center is a great source of information on Cochise County, in addition to what you find on this website. | Visit |
| 2 | Visit the County of Cochise website for information on city services, departments, economic development opportunities, and more. | Visit |
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