Chiricahua National Monument · Arizona

Lower Rhyolite

1.5 mi of trail, end to end · 550 ft of descent · 5,378 ft–5,932 ft · hiking

Visitor centers

5,932 ft 5,378 ft · 1.4 mi high 5,932 ft

Along the way Visitor Center

Echo Canyon to Visitor Center the Park Service's write-up

2-4 Hours · no dogs

Start Echo Canyon Trailhead

Hillside full of rock formations
Rhyolite Canyon Photo: NPS Photo

This moderate, 4.2 mile / 6.8 kilometer trail begins at Echo Canyon trailhead and consists of Echo Canyon, Upper Rhyolite Canyon, and Lower Rhyolite Canyon trails ending at the Visitor Center. It goes downhill through spectacular rock formations in Echo Canyon. One stream crossing on the Upper Rhyolite segment can be hazardous if runoff is significant. The last half of the hike is in shaded oak woodlands. Make sure you have transportation back to your vehicle or ride the seasonal hikers' shuttle at 9:00 am.

NOTE: Additional 0.5 mi / 0.8 to campground OR 1.5 mi / 2.4 km to Faraway Ranch parking lot when riding the shuttle.

Accessibility This downhill trail contains rock steps and occasional steep terrain. No pets are allowed.

This hike on nps.gov

Hike the Trails at Chiricahua the Park Service's write-up

1-9 Hours · no dogs · season Hiking can be amazing any time of year at Chiricahua National Monument. Summer temperatures can often reach the 80s and 90s. Summer monsoons can provide cooler temperatures than the rest of Arizona. Winters can leave ice or snow on the trails, but daytime highs are often pleasant. Come prepared for quick shifts in weather.

Start Chiricahua National Monument

a family hikes away from the camera with large rock formations towering over and scrubby trees
Hiking trails travel right next to rock pinnacles. Photo: NPS

Hiking at Chiricahua National Monument is an experience like no other. Many of the trails immediately bring visitors into an epic landscape of rocks of all shapes and sizes. Visitors don't just gaze at the formations from above, but stand under and beside the towering giants.

Pets Most trails in the rock formations do not allow pets. Lower trails near Faraway Ranch and the Campground allow pets on a leash.

Accessibility Bonita Creek Trail is accessible. A portion of the Massai Point Trail is paved, but may not be accessible due to steep grade.

This hike on nps.gov

Lower Rhyolite Canyon Trail the Park Service's write-up

no dogs

Start Visitor Center

Cactus in front of large canyon
Lower Rhyolite Canyon Photo: NPS Photo / T. Ferraro

A good way to view the rocks without driving up the road, this mostly-level trail takes you to Rhyolite Canyon, a canyon lined with rock pinnacles. Walk 1.5 miles / 2.4 km until you reach the junction between Upper Rhyolite Canyon and Sarah Deming trails. Return the same way.

Accessibility This trail has a mostly-level, gravel surface.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 20 trails in Chiricahua National MonumentFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.