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 Summertime and explore attractions such as caverns, mines, mountain biking, birding, museums, and water recreation.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking and Cochise County are like a match made in biker’s heaven. Cochise County’s high desert is home to large mountains, vast desert trails, expansive blue skies, and gorgeous views. Even with that information, it may be an incredibly awe-inspiring experience to mountain bikers who try the County’s diverse terrain for the first time. Whether tackling the beginning of “the” Arizona Trail or traipsing through Brown Canyon Ranch, Cochise County mountain biking features an intense interaction with nature and a fantastic range of difficulty.
ARIZONA TRAIL
Arizona Trail (Sierra Vista) – It has been said that it may seem snooty to name a trail the “Arizona Trail” – until you realize the sheer magnitude of this epic trail. The Arizona Trail runs 800 miles across the entire Grand Canyon State.
Cochise County’s Sierra Vista is the gateway to the southern terminus of the Arizona Trail where it begins at the U.S.-Mexico border. The trail continues through the Sonoran Desert up through the Grand Canyon and the border of Utah at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. No local trail showcases as much of Arizona’s diverse landscape and scenery as the Arizona Trail. It is truly one-of-a-kind and the best trail for bikers looking to experience Arizona to the fullest.
THE DRAGOONS
Dragoons to East Cochise Stronghold (Benson) – Located in the Dragoon Mountains of Coronado National Forest near Benson, this is a nice ride. There are wonderful places to picnic and terrific historical sites. If you want to take the time it is possible to hunt for arrowheads on an old battleground (remember to leave them behind). Aim for the first part of November to catch the leaves changing!
Dragoons to West Cochise Stronghold (Tombstone) – This ride is located in the Coronado National Forest east of Tucson. It is off a completely Jeep road, but if you are itching to hear the crunch of gravel under your knobby tires, it is a beautiful area to tackle. The road is VERY fast in spots, which means hard climbing in similar areas. It is a historic area, and very pretty inside the canyon.
CANYON TRAILS
Garden Canyon / Brown Canyon Trail (Sierra Vista) – The northern end of the 13.2-mile trail runs through Garden Canyon Linear Park and is a great introductory ride, suited for beginners. After passing Brown Canyon Ranch, the trail gets much steeper and the Brown Canyon Loop offers a technical challenge with steep ascents and descents. Riders typically take the loop in a clockwise direction, but it offers a challenging, fun trek either way. Keep in mind, Brown Canyon Trail is also popular among hikers and horseback riders, so please share the trail and use caution on blind corners. Washes may fill suddenly in the rainy season. There is no water available along the route.
Visit the Brown Canyon Ranch built around 1880. The adobe ranch house, storeroom, working windmill, and corrals still stand. A tree-lined pond is home to wildlife. This is a refreshing and easy stop along the Garden Canyon/Brown Canyon Trail.
WREN ARENA
Wren Arena Red Loop Trail (Sierra Vista) – Heading in a clockwise direction, the 5.2-mile, intermediate trail climbs about 300 feet in the first 1.5 miles. It shifts suddenly downward as riders round the first major switchback and continues to descend for the next 1.5 miles. From that point on, the trail meanders along at just over 5,000 feet, with a handful of technical spots along the way.
Challenging but far from intimidating, this trail offers the perfect training ground for mountain bike racers and enthusiasts seeking to refine their skills. It is a fun ride that can be finished in just about an hour, leaving plenty of time to try it again in the opposite direction.
HEAD UNDERGROUND
Kartchner Caverns (Benson) – Find stunning living caverns and exhibits with scientific information explaining how these caves were formed. Learn about the bats that make their home here, and how the many huge stalactites and stalagmites are formed. And see why Kartchner Caverns is truly an underground phenomenon unlike any other. This living cave has been voted “Number One Arizona Attraction” and “Best Cave in the U.S.” by USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards. The average temperature inside Kartchner Caverns is about 70 degrees. Insulated by layers of earth, caves are naturally cooler. Many different cave formations can be found within the caves, like cave bacon, helictites, soda straws, and others. Formations like the stalactites and stalagmites grow approximately a 16th of an inch every 100 years.
Queen Mine (Bisbee) – Bisbee has been one of the greatest copper camps the world has ever known. In almost 100 years of continuous production – before closing in 1975 – the local mines produced $6.1 billion in metals (at 1975 prices). This is one of the largest production valuations of all the mining districts in the world. Outfitted in hard hat, miner’s headlamp and a yellow slicker, thousands of Bisbee visitors ride into the Queen Mine Tour each year—heading underground and back in time. Tour guides are retired Phelps Dodge employees that lead the group 1,500 feet into the mine and recount mining mechanics, techniques, and dangers. Adding a personal touch, the miner-turned-tour guides help visitors experience what it was like to work underground. Today’s tours require reservations, face coverings, closed toe shoes, and low-heeled shoes.
BIRDING
Southern Arizona has some of the best bird watching in the world. People come from all over to see many rare species found in few other places. With some of the most diverse landscapes in Arizona, Cochise County is home to more than 400 species of birds. It is no surprise the American Birding Association has called it the “Birdiest Inland County in the United States.”
SOUTHWEST WINGS
Join Southwest Wings Spring Fling May 5-8, and the Summer Birding and Nature Festival August 4-7 for “The Greatest Little Birding Festival in the U.S.” With birding and nature workshops, tours and programs, the annual event explores the lives of winged creatures and nature’s influence upon them
HUMMINGBIRD BANDING
SABO will be having Hummingbird Banding at Casa de San Pedro Bed and Breakfast on Friday afternoons from early April through early June, and July through early October. Be sure to register at SABO.org to potentially hold a hummer in your hand to release it – and learn about hummingbirds at the Casa.
MUSEUMS
Cochise County was created on February 1, 1881, when it was annexed out of the eastern portion of Pima County. It takes its name from the legendary Chiricahua Apache Chief Cochise. The first county seat was Tombstone until 1929, when it was moved to Bisbee. Cochise County consists of 6,219 square miles. To say that Cochise County is rich in history is an understatement. From the Paleo-Indians to the Spanish explorers, from the Mexican settlers to the Chiricahua Apaches, from the early Anglo pioneers to the vibrant citizens of today, Cochise County history is vast. Fortunately, there are many amazing museums that work hard to secure and maintain exhibits sharing Cochise County’s historic past.
AMERIND MUSEUM
Amerind Foundation and Museum (outside Benson) – Since 1937, the Amerind has worked to preserve history of the Native Peoples of the Americas, in addition to promoting knowledge and understanding through research and conservation. Exhibits tell the story of America’s first peoples, from Alaska to South America, starting from the last Ice Age to present day.
The Amerind also has a comprehensive, hands-on education program for children of all ages. You may even find Indian artists demonstrating their skills in the museum’s main gallery.
BENSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Benson Historical Society and Museum (Benson) – The museum building was built circa 1922. W. D. Martinez, a grocer, was the original occupant. The building was later owned by the Steinfeld family and later the Ivey’s. This sturdy little building has been a grocery, laundry, and even promoted as a great place to make soap, but that dream never materialized. It was used as a storage facility from 1937 until 1983.
In 1983, two groups, the Benson Historical Society and the Arts Group merged and purchased the building along with its contents. The original very tall front doors are a notable feature of the building. The majority of the grocery items and some of the furniture now on display were found in the building. Today, visitors will find a nice variety of exhibits with items ranging from metates and manos to sewing machines and a horse-drawn school bus.
BISBEE MINING MUSEUM
Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum (Bisbee) – Bisbee was the former “Queen of the Copper Camps” and, over nearly a century, her mines produced nearly 8 billion pounds of copper, plus millions of pounds of lead, zinc, manganese, silver, and gold.
Although the mines closed in the mid-1970s, Bisbee’s mining legacy lives on in its architecture and landscape—and a museum in the heart of the historic district. Housed in the former corporate headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, the museum tells the story of Bisbee’s mining past. An Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum offers an interactive trip back in time for the whole family.
BORDER AIR MUSEUM
Border Air Museum (Douglas) – Douglas has many “firsts” in aviation history. The one that tops the list is having the first international airport of the Americas. One could fly into Douglas and taxi into Mexico and vice-versa. Aviation was an important part of the evolution of Douglas and was almost lost if it were not for Richard Westbrook and his wife Irma.
Today, a Trojan airplane is on display; they were made in Douglas in the 1950’s. The museum has displays of American Airlines memorabilia, a wall of history of the Douglas Army Air Field with artifacts, an in-depth history of Douglas aviation, history of the Mexican Revolution, Women’s Air History, and also a history of Hollywood films that used the airport.
DOUGLAS-WILLIAMS HOUSE
Douglas-Williams House (Douglas) – The Douglas-Williams House/Museum hosts one of the state’s most comprehensive photographic collections, which chronicles much of Douglas’ historic past.
This former residence of James Douglas, for whom the town was named, is one of the must-see historic sites and museums. It is packed with displays, exhibits, and historical items related to Douglas’ history – largely centered on copper mining and smelting.
HENRY F. HAUSER MUSEUM
Henry F. Hauser Museum (Sierra Vista) – The Henry F. Hauser Museum preserves and displays artifacts for the City of Sierra Vista and nearby areas. Drop in and see the newest collection of memorabilia, along with short films and oral history tapes.
Thanks to a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council, the museum, along with the Sierra Vista Public Library, hosts Amazing Arizona—a speaker series that educates and entertains.
REX ALLEN MUSEUM
Rex Allen Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame (Willcox) – Known as the Arizona Cowboy, Rex Allen memorabilia is on display in his hometown of Willcox, the Cattle Capital of the World.
Inside, find treasures from Rex’s life as a cowboy, radio personality, and movie and television star. You will also learn about other local cowboys who have worked in the livestock industry and served as good stewards of natural resources.
CHIRICAHUA REGIONAL MUSEUM
Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center (Willcox) – The Chiricahua Regional Museum, established in 1999, is maintained and operated by the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Willcox and the entire Sulphur Springs Valley from prehistoric times to the modern era.
The museum is located in the old Valley Hardware store. It features exhibits on Apache Indians, U. S. Cavalry, cattle industry, Southern Pacific Railroad, and the many ethnic groups who contributed to the development of southeastern Arizona.
PARKER CANYON LAKE
Ready for the water? This medium-sized 132-acre lake is located in the Canelo Hills west of the Huachuca Mountains. It offers many recreational possibilities.
The Parker Lakeshore Trail offers excellent vantage points to enjoy ducks and other waterfowl bobbing on the lake’s clear waters. Bald eagles and osprey are regular visitors, as are spring warblers and hummingbirds in season. Coues whitetail deer, coatimundi, javelina, and roadrunners are often seen browsing around the lake.
There is parking for vehicles, motor homes, and boat trailers, plus two camping grounds. For those who like to fish, Parker Canyon Lake offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. To make landing those wily flippers easier, there is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake, as well as a lakeside paved area and a graveled path along some of the best catfishing shoreline.
Parker Canyon Lake Marina – located at the lakeshore – is stocked with last minute supplies, boat and kayak rentals, fishing licenses, camping and fishing gear, and snacks.
Photo Credit: (top) Amanda Baillie, (bottom) Amanda Baillie
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 Fall and explore attractions such as festivals, western lifestyle, wine tasting, farms and produce, cycling, and leaf peeping. | 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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