Cochise County has year-round attractions!
Cochise County has pleasant weather all year, a wide variety of activities and wide open spaces, and offers something for everyone from the solo traveler to families and groups.
Visit Cochise County in the Fall and explore attractions such as festivals, western lifestyle, wine tasting, farms and produce, cycling, and leaf peeping.
FALL FESTIVALS
Ah, fall! You are never pressed for fun things to do, be it something as simple as a strolling through antique cars or as intimate as letting lanterns into the air with your dreams and wishes attached. With tidings of cooler temps and cozy dinners comes a flood of annual events across Cochise County, prepare to immerse yourself in local foods, traditions, and cultures.
ART IN THE PARK
Art in the Park (Sierra Vista) – Hailed as one of the Southwest’s largest and most popular outdoor arts and craft fair, Art in the Park is an event not to be missed. Over 100 arts and crafts vendors fill the park grounds with tents filled various selections of fine art, photography, jewelry, pottery, and specialty foods. Food trucks are available for lunch or a snack.
BISBEE 1000
Bisbee 1000 (Bisbee) – The Great Stair Climb is arguably one of the most unusual and challenging events in the world. Unique to Bisbee is a system of old stairways that crisscross through its picturesque hills, providing views of the town’s quaint houses and colorful gardens. The stairways originally followed the mule paths worn into the terrain during the heyday of Bisbee’s copper mining past. The 4.5-mile course features nine staircases (over 1000 total steps) connected by winding roads. October 16th, 2021 will be the 30th annual Bisbee 1000!
CARS IN THE PARK
Cars in the Park (Sierra Vista) – Take a step back in time as you stroll through rows of vintage cars. Whether you are looking for the latest gadget, restoration information, or cleaning supplies, Cars in the Park has something for everyone. This premier annual event attracts some 45 vendors, and food trucks will be available, plus a raffle, door prizes, music, and more. Come select your favorite vintage vehicles!
COUNTY FAIR
County Fair (Douglas) – Enjoy the slower pace of an old-fashioned carnival with a college rodeo and a pro bull riding exhibition, musical performances, agricultural competitions, 4H and FFA displays, art, photography, quilts, music, plus games, rides, and food vendors at the Cochise County Fairgrounds. The Cochise County Fair Association formed in 1924 and will host its 96th fair in 2020.
LANTERN FESTIVAL
Lantern Festival (Benson) – The Annual Lantern Festival brings together individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one spectacular night. There will be music, dancing, vendors, and a great (free) Kids Zone! Mark milestones, set goals, or celebrate a life well-lived of someone who now lives in Heaven. Take in the breathtaking sight and enjoy the warm glow of the night sky all lit up.
MARIACHI FESTIVAL
Mariachi Festival (Bisbee) – Come experience the energy, superb showmanship, and breathtaking vocals of the Bisbee Mariachi Festival. All proceeds go to Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless (a 501c(3) nonprofit) to support emergency shelters, case management, job service and training, clothing, food boxes, showers, laundry facilities, and over 35,000 meals annually. Enjoy food vendors from all over the state serving a mix of fine Mexican food as well as a mouth-watering BBQ. There will be kettle corn, churros, and other savory treats.
U-PICK FARMS
Apple Annie’s Fall Pumpkin Celebration – At this old-fashioned family farm guests pick and purchase pumpkins and fall vegetables from the patch. Not only does it feature corn mazes, but the mega highlight is its dining options.
The orchard location offers an all-you-can-eat pumpkin and pancake breakfast in the morning, plus apple-smoked burgers are served for lunch, along with homemade cider and various pumpkin desserts. Make a day out of it and take the drive to Apple Annie’s in Willcox.
WESTERN LIFESTYLE
From the Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in February to the Cochise College Rodeo in March, from the Willcox Wild West Fest & Chuck Wagon Cook-off in April to the Rex Allen Museum & Cowboy Hall of Fame open year round, Cochise County is full of Western Heritage. And during the fall, there’s no better way to put that cowboy hat to good use and get yer boots good and dirty than enjoying a good ol’ rodeo. Cochise County has two on back-to-back weekends that could bookend a fantastic itinerary.
BUTTERFIELD DAYS
Butterfield Days Rodeo (Benson) – In October, Benson hosts its annual Butterfield Overland Stage Days, a nod to the town’s heritage as a stagecoach stop during the early pioneer days. Residents celebrate with a parade, rodeo, and a re-creation of a Pony Express Ride through downtown. The rodeo is a sanctioned Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo and hosted the second weekend in October.
REX ALLEN DAYS
Rex Allen Days Rodeo (Willcox) – Home of Rex Allen, and once the Cattle Capital of the World – it is no wonder Rex Allen Days is a large event for Willcox, Arizona. Rex Allen Days began in 1951 as a fundraising event to help establish and build The Northern Cochise Community Hospital (NCCH). Since its inception, the non-profit has applied proceeds to help support the NCCH, provide scholarships for southern Arizona graduates, and sponsor local organizations. Volunteers work hard to provide a link to past heroes and keep Willcox’ western heritage alive and kicking!
LEAF PEEPING
Just outside Sierra Vista, you will find the Nature Conservancy Ramsey Canyon Preserve. At the world-renowned Preserve, the sudden rise of the Huachucas from neighboring arid grasslands create “sky islands”. These ecological crossroads harbor incredible habitat diversity. Plants like sycamores, maples, and columbines line Ramsey Creek, many times growing within just a few feet of cacti, yucca, and agaves. In Autumn, oranges, reds, and yellows envelop Ramsey Canyon. The colors of fall abound during late October and November and Fall Color Tours are available throughout.
The Chiricahua National Monument is a wonderland of rocks and one of the many abrupt mountain ranges – “sky islands” – rising out of Cochise County’s high desert basins. The Arizona sycamore grows in the lower canyon with a maple-like leaf that is reddish in the fall. “Maple Camp” is a small grove of maple trees surrounding the banks of a tiny stream called South Fork. Their crowning color is bright red. The mountains showcase juniper and pinyon pine, and in the fall beautiful flaming aspens are showcased at nearly 9,000 feet elevation. Whichever elevation or side of the Chiricahuas you decide to visit, you will be greeted with an unforgettable display of fall colors.
CYCLING
Looking for long, winding roads with minimal traffic? Cochise County won’t be outdone. Long stretches of road, ever-changing landscape, expansive blue skies, and gorgeous mountain ranges in every direction make your cycling adventure one to remember. Sierra Vista in particular has roughly 30 miles of multi-use paths and spans of asphalt to cycle, plus towns within around 30 minutes (by car) where you can settle in for a bite then pedal on.
FLYER BIKE RIDE
Wilcox Flyer Bike Ride (Willcox) – The 8th Annual Willcox Flyer Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, September 5, 2020. All riders leave town on Highway 186 and make their way up a gradual climb until they reach the 33 mile turn around point on top of the iconic Dos Cabezas Mountains. If continuing, riders enjoy a scenic route with rolling hills and wide open rangeland until they reach the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument. Temperatures are on average 10 degrees cooler than Tucson! This year we will be again offering a special distance for kids, families, and those who are just getting started. The 33-mile course will gain 1,129 feet of elevation while the 66-mile gains 1,965 feet. There will be three aid stations along the route stocked with water and snacks. There will also be a sag wagon available.
SKY ISLAND TOUR
Sky Island Tour (Sierra Vista) – The Sky Islands are known in the southwest as mountain ranges surrounded by radically different lowland environments. This scenic one-day bicycle tour will take place on Saturday, October 2, 2021. All Sky Island Tour rides are a loop, beginning and ending at the Mall at Sierra Vista. Online registration closes on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 12:00am. Hang out after the ride with fellow cyclists for lunch and fun! DJ will be playing your favorite tunes, and food trucks will be on site offering delicious lunch specials, plus the Icee Queen frozen gelato truck will be serving up homemade gelato!
WINE TASTING
The Willcox Bench in southeast Arizona grows 74% of Arizona’s wine grapes. This area is recognized as unique and distinctive wine growing region of the United States, so much so that it was recently granted AVA status (American Viticultural Area).
When you think of wine, you may not think of Arizona, but the elevation, climate, and soil in the Willcox Bench make for signature, medal-winning wines. Vineyards in this region are typically at 4,200 feet elevation and above, meaning vineyards are out of the low desert heat. Warm summer days and cool summer nights deliver a unique flavor to the grapes. Plus, Arizona has both summer and fall monsoon rain seasons, which provide another twist to the grape growing season. Finally, the rich alluvial and volcanic mixtures from the surrounding mountains are great for the grapes. Crush it up, and you have region wines with their own unique Arizona signature, standing tall among wines made anywhere in the world.
RESOURCES
Looking for more seasonal information? Check out the resources below.
| 1 | Visit Cochise County in the Springtime and explore attractions such as golfing, stargazing, climbing, hiking, wine tasting, and wildflowers. | Visit |
| 2 | Visit Cochise County in the Summertime and explore attractions such as caverns, mines, mountain biking, birding, museums, and water recreation. | Visit |
| 3 | Visit Cochise County in the Wintertime and explore attractions such as festivals, Santa, mural walk, arts and culture, birding, and hiking | Visit |
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