Chiricahua by RV: Campgrounds, Rules and Tips

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Chiricahua

Yes, you can visit Chiricahua by RV, and you can sleep in the park, but only at Bonita Canyon Campground, and only with a reservation. Two length limits apply to two different stretches of road, and one doesn't replace the other. The campground allows 29 feet per vehicle or trailer, while the road beyond it allows 24 feet maximum with no trailer. Add a campground with no hookups and no dump station, and you already know whether to book or look elsewhere. For the park itself, see our Chiricahua guide.

Arriving With a Large Vehicle

The most direct paved route starts in Willcox, off Interstate 10. Take AZ-186, then AZ-181, for about 36 miles and 45 minutes of driving. The visitor center's GPS address is 13063 E Bonita Canyon Rd. Our guide to getting to Chiricahua covers the approach in detail.

Avoid the east side. Portal and Cave Creek Canyon sit on the other side of the range, outside the park, and no direct paved road connects them to Chiricahua. Pinery Canyon Road, through Coronado National Forest, is gravel and winding. That's a poor choice for a big rig, and it's certainly not guaranteed boondocking.

Inside the park, the scenic drive climbs about 8 miles to Massai Point, then comes back down the same way. It's a dead end, not a through road. Entry is free.

Two Length Limits, Two Stretches of Road

Up to the Campground: 29 Feet Per Vehicle or Trailer

The limit applies to each vehicle or trailer on its own, including exterior accessories such as bike racks, rear cargo carriers and ladders. It isn't a cap on the whole rig, but the tow vehicle and trailer still have to fit together in the site's driveway. A 32-foot RV shouldn't try it.

Beyond the Campground: 24 Feet Maximum, No Trailer

This limit covers the entire road to Echo Canyon and Massai Point. A vehicle 24 feet or shorter with no trailer can drive it. Anything longer, or anything towing, can't. So a vehicle accepted at the campground isn't necessarily allowed up to Massai Point.

During the day, large vehicles and trailers park or unhitch at Faraway Ranch. There's no shuttle to bring hikers back, so for the upper road you need a second suitable vehicle, such as a towed car you've unhooked or an unhitched pickup. Our guide to getting around Chiricahua covers parking lots and return trips.

What 29 Feet Doesn't Guarantee

Crossing the creek creates a break in grade that can cause clearance problems for vehicles with long overhangs. Low branches, tight backing and sometimes uneven pads add to the challenge. No overhang measurement is a guarantee, so if your vehicle has a long one or comes close to 29 feet, call the park before you book. Measure your racks and storage too.

Reserving at Bonita Canyon Campground

This is the park's only campground. It has 23 sites in total, which doesn't mean 23 RV spots, since only a few take large rigs. Reservations are required on Recreation.gov, and sites aren't assigned when you arrive. A standard site costs $25 per night.

It allows two vehicles at most, trailer included, and only if everything fits. An extra vehicle has to spend the night outside the park, since there's no overflow overnight parking.

For rigs with a trailer, the driveway decides. Side-by-side parking isn't guaranteed. The park gives the example of a 20-foot pickup towing a 15-foot trailer on a 35-foot driveway. That's an illustration, not a size that works everywhere. Read each site's length, allowed equipment and notes. A compatible trailer may be accepted on a reserved site even though the upper road stays closed to it. If you're unsure about your combination, ask the park.

The group site ($50 a night) is for tents only, so it won't bail out an RV. Sleeping in a vehicle outside a reserved site, parking overnight or camping elsewhere is prohibited in the park, trailhead lots included. Occasional closures can happen during monsoon season, June 15 to September 30, so check before you go, and see our Chiricahua weather guide for seasonal trends. Reservations, hours and campground rules are covered in our guide to the Bonita Canyon Campground.

Staying Self-Contained: Water, Dumping, Power and Generator

Plan Bonita Canyon as a fully self-contained night. The campground has no electric hookups, no water hookups, no sewer, no showers and no dump station for black water.

Faucets supply drinking water, but there's no hose fitting and no way to fill your tank. Arrive with full tanks from Willcox. The drains meant for household gray water don't replace an RV dump station, so empty your tanks on your way out.

Power at Site 8 is reserved for medical or accessibility needs. Generators are allowed only from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with quiet hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

In summer, highs reach about 81 to 99°F. With no hookups, shade, ventilation and the timing of your outings matter more than your battery level, which alone is no guarantee of a comfortable interior.

Also plan water for your hikes, since there's none at the Echo Canyon parking lot. Cell service is spotty, so download your reservation confirmation and the map before you leave Interstate 10.

Backup Plan Around Willcox, Sunizona and Bowie

The park directs large rigs to private campgrounds in Willcox, Sunizona and Bowie. Amenities vary by operator, so check dump service, hookups, rates and availability directly before you commit.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Willcox advertises large-vehicle parking reserved for its guests. It's neither a campground nor a public dump station.

The pattern is simple. You sleep outside the park, drive in during the day, park at Faraway Ranch and go up in a suitable vehicle. Our guide to where to stay at Chiricahua compares every possible base.

Which Vehicle for Which Trip

• 24 feet or shorter, no trailer. You can do the whole park in the same vehicle, including a night at Bonita Canyon if you get a compatible site.
• Over 24 feet, up to 29 feet per vehicle or trailer. You can sleep at Bonita Canyon on a suitable site, but the upper road requires a second vehicle.
• Pickup and trailer. The trailer stays on the reserved site if the driveway fits the whole rig, or you unhitch it at Faraway Ranch for the day. The pickup drives up alone if it's 24 feet or shorter.
• Over 29 feet per vehicle or trailer, or you need hookups. Choose a private campground in the area, then park at Faraway Ranch during the day.

If you're renting, ask for the overall length with accessories included, not just the rental category. Also check the tanks, battery and heating. With no hookups, a model that depends on shore power loses most of its appeal.

Rules and Habits to Follow Once You're There

Dogs aren't allowed on the high-elevation trails, even if you carry them, and you can't leave a dog unattended while you hike. If you're traveling with a dog, split up your outings and check the hike selection for trails where dogs are allowed.

Don't leave any food out. The campground food lockers are the best option. A closed vehicle is also allowed, but rodents can damage it. Fires directly on the ground are prohibited, and drought restrictions may apply on top of that, so check when you arrive. Our guide to Chiricahua wildlife covers the species you'll run into.

To pick your season, see when to visit Chiricahua. If you'll have just one vehicle suited to the upper road, the Chiricahua itinerary offers realistic day-by-day plans.

Frequently Asked Questions