Chiricahua National Monument is a rock formation located in the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. It became a national monument on April 18, 1924, in order to preserve the landscape in its entirety. To access it, you must travel on Arizona State Route 181. The closest city is Willcox, about 60 kilometers away. The rock formation comes from a volcanic eruption that occurred about 27 million years ago. Thick, bright ash emitted from the nearby Turkey Creek Caldera cooled to rhyolite. Over time, the rock eroded to the point of creating the particular conformation visible today.
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| Chiricahua National Monument |
A "rock wonderland" awaits you to explore at Chiricahua National Monument. This forest of rock needles emerged from the erosion of layers of ash deposited by the eruption of the Turkey Creek volcano 27 million years ago. The 8-mile (12 km) paved road with scenic views and 17 miles (27 km) of day-hiking trails provide a range of possibilities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and people of this 11,985-acre site. acres (4,850 ha). Visit the Hacienda Faraway Historic District to discover more about the people who have lived in this area: the Chiricahua Apache Indians, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the Erickson and Stafford families.