NPS · Chiricahua National Park · Willcox, AZ

Bonita Canyon Campground

Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Park, Willcox, AZ. Visitors love the historic, treed campsites, hiking the "Wonderland of Rocks" and bird watching opportunities. Scenic drive may be hazardous to tall or wide vehicles. Outside the park, Coronado National Forest provides additional camping and recreation opportunities.

Reservable · Recreation.gov26 sitesDark sky29 ft maxNo hookupsPets okFires ok

More like this: reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona · dark sky in Arizona

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
ChiricahuaThe white-nosed coati, a member of the raccoon family, may visit your campsite. Bonita Canyon Campgrounddiagram show max vehicle of 29 ft with max overhang of 9 feet and says to check driveway length to fit both tow vehicle and trailerBonita Canyon Campground
Photos courtesy of Share The Experience Photo Contest: John_Frazier, NPS / Paula Betts, NPS, NPS / Suzanne Moody · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups22
Group tent areas1
Host/management3
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 29 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

23 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
01StandardBack-in24GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
02StandardBack-in16GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
03StandardBack-in22GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
04StandardBack-in22GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
05StandardBack-in22GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
06StandardBack-in29GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
07StandardBack-in17GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
08StandardBack-in22GravelPartial8 / 2YesStandard
09StandardBack-in22GravelPartial8 / 2Standard
10StandardBack-in21GravelPartial8 / 2Standard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Campground map of Bonita Canyon Campground
Campground map published by National Park Service on Recreation.gov, credited to NPS. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length29 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
Dark sky2 miles from Chiricahua National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park
AccessibilitySite 08 is listed accessible
  • IMPORTANT: Maximum vehicle length is 29 ft (9 m) per piece including racks. Any trailer or vehicle over 29 feet OR with an overhang of more than 9 feet may "bottom out" on the road crossing the creek into the campground. Check the driveway length and notes to determine if a site is large enough for your tow vehicle and trailer. Be prepared to remove bike racks and hitches.
  • No Hook Ups. (No electric, sewer, or dump station). Full-service campgrounds are available in Willcox or Sunizona, AZ.
  • An individual campsite will accommodate a maximum of 8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents. A trailer counts as a vehicle.
  • No parking outside of reserved campsites. Vehicles unable to fit inside the campsite must park outside the park.
  • View the driveway length, notes, and allowable equipment to confirm whether the campsite is level and long enough for both your trailer and vehicle before booking.
  • Reservations not claimed within 24 hours of check‑in (by noon the following day) will be cancelled.
  • Site #8 is special needs accessible. Electric use is permitted for medical equipment only.
  • No Showers. The restroom has flush toilets and sinks.
  • Drinking water faucets are located throughout the campground. Hose connections/tank filling prohibited.
  • All sites have a picnic table, raised grill, food storage box, and tent pad. No ground fires and no wood collection.
  • Hanging of hammocks or any items from trees or other vegetation is prohibited.
  • Quiet hours are from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am. Generators allowed: 8-10 am & 4-6 pm.
  • No horse camping or horse trailers in the park. Please check Coronado National Forest for options.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Bonita Canyon Campground40°50°60°70°80°January: 1.32 inches of precipitation, 1.3 inches of snowFebruary: 1.28 inches of precipitation, 0.5 inches of snowMarch: 1.19 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowApril: 0.27 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 0.30 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 0.86 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.81 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 4.56 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.59 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 0.99 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 1.04 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowDecember: 1.50 inches of precipitation, 1.2 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 43.1°F averageFebruary: 46.6°F averageMarch: 51.5°F averageApril: 57.2°F averageMay: 65.7°F averageJune: 74.2°F averageJuly: 75.1°F averageAugust: 73.4°F averageSeptember: 70.2°F averageOctober: 61.8°F averageNovember: 52.0°F averageDecember: 43.1°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Chiricahua NM, less than a mile from the campground at 5,300 feet, station USC00021664 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 19 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 4 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Chiricahua National Park is 45 minutes south of Willcox, AZ. Remember to get gas, supplies, and vehicle charging in town!

Nearest townWillcox, Arizona
Coordinates32.0111° N, 109.3553° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • While some vehicles up to 29 feet may fit in the campground, the scenic drive is restricted to 24 feet.

Charges and cancellations

  • Reservations not occupied within 24 hours of check‑in (by noon the following day) may be cancelled.
  • Please modify your reservation on the app or website if you will not be using a reserved night. Updating your reservation:
  • Ensures the rest of your stay is protected
  • Opens the site for others
  • May result in a refund
  • The visitor center cannot hold reservations an extra day for late arrivals. If you arrive after the reservation has been cancelled, you will need to make a new reservation.
  • If you experience technical issues, call the service center at 877‑444‑6777 to request a reservation modification.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗under 0.1 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Bonita Canyon Campground Review | CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 3.9 mi
    Green Canyon
    3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4 mi
    Indian Creek ↗
    9.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.1 mi
    Hoovey Canyon
    3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.2 mi
    Shaw Peak ↗
    5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4.5 mi
    Fife Canyon ↗
    4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 4.9 mi
    Emigrant Canyon ↗
    5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Chiricahua National Monument Wilderness.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Natural features

Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites have shade. The Bonita Creek is dry most of the year but may run during summer monsoon or winter snows.

Recreation

Chiricahua National Park offers beautiful views, wildlife watching, and miles of hiking trails.

Nearby

Visit the Chiricahua National Park website to learn about the Visitor Center Museum & Store, scenic drive, hiking and more. Nearby federal lands include: Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Coronado National Memorial, the Coronado National Forest (including Portal/Cave Creek ). Explore Cochise County provides information on nearby communities and activities.

Guidebooks for Arizona

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Camping Arizona
    Bruce Grubbs, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Tent Camping: Arizona
    Kirstin Olmon Phillips and Kelly Phillips, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
    Mike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Bonita Canyon Campground?

Sites at Bonita Canyon Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Bonita Canyon Campground?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Bonita Canyon Campground have?

26 sites, including 22 standard sites without power and 1 group tent area.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Bonita Canyon Campground?

The longest site here provides 29 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are there showers or a dump station at Bonita Canyon Campground?

No Hook Ups. (No electric, sewer, or dump station).

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Bonita Canyon Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bonita Canyon Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Bonita Canyon Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Bonita Canyon Campground?

Site 08 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Bonita Canyon Campground good for stargazing?

Chiricahua National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 2 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.

Source: DarkSky International

What is the nearest town to Bonita Canyon Campground?

Willcox, Arizona. Visit the Chiricahua National Park website to learn about the Visitor Center Museum & Store, scenic drive, hiking and more.

Source: Getting there

What if Bonita Canyon Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Rustler Park Campground (8.6 mi, first-come), Sycamore Campground (10.5 mi, first-come), and Herb Martyr Campground (11.9 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby