Echo Canyon Grottoes & Hoodoos - Chiricahua National Monument
Happy Monday friends, this week we’re heading out on one of my favorite southeast Arizona hikes inside Chiricahua National Monument. Join me as we adventure through the “wonderland of rocks” along the trail to the Echo Canyon Grottoes.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 1 mile RT
• Elevation Change: 100 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Rock formations along Echo Canyon Trail in Chiricahua National Monument
Location
Chiricahua National Monument is located in remote southeast Arizona. The nearest town is Wilcox, AZ, which is approximately 35 miles away, and the nearest major city is Tucson, located almost 2 hours to the west. To reach Echo Canyon Trail, enter the national monument, pass the visitor center, and drive up Bonita Canyon Road for just over seven miles. Watch for the “Echo Canyon” signs and turn into the Echo Canyon parking lot on your right. Here you’ll find ample parking for vehicles as well as restrooms at the trailhead.
Echo Canyon Trail in Chiricahua National Monument
Echo Canyon Hike
This trail starts off at the far corner of the parking lot along the well worn dirt and gravel path, and while this hike is not very strenuous, parts of the trail are rocky and can be a bit steep, so pay attention to where you’re going as you explore the rocks around you. The Echo Canyon Loop is a moderate 3 mile hike, perfect for those who want to explore the hoodoos, pinnacles, and fascinating rock formations that are unique to this region...but if you’re short on time, the easy 1 mile out & back trail to the Echo Canyon Grottoes also provides a great introduction to the wilderness area here with the opportunity to walk among these otherworldly rock formations.
Echo Canyon Grottoes in Chiricahua National Monument
Entering the Chiricahua Echo Canyon Grottoes during Winter
Echo Canyon Grotto
In less than 1/2 a mile you find a sign marking the entrance to the Echo Canyon Grottoes. This is a stone hallway of sorts, worn between large jagged boulders. The grottoes are formed by tall intertwined arches, which were carved out of the rocks by rain, wind and weather over time, and are remarkable evidence of the ancient lava flow that once traveled through this area. Towering rocks surround you and dominate the landscape here. Every turn feels like the entrance to a fantastic natural playground with hidden caves and giant spires...it’s easy to see why this place is often called a Wonderland of Rocks!
Echo Canyon in Chiricahua National Monument during Winter
Echo Canyon
From the grottoes you can start the steep descent of switchbacks into Echo Canyon where thousands of volcanic rhyolite pinnacles and enormous stone pillars (or hoodoos) stand as far as the eye can see. As the trail descends, some of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ most impressive trail work can be seen. Nearly a century ago crews worked to widened the existing fractures in the bedrock to create a trail passageway through the imposing rocks. These hoodoos, which the native Chiricahua Apache referred to as “standing up rocks,” were formed long ago by eruptions from the Turkey Creek Volcano, which sent huge amounts of ash and pumice into the air...and as that mixture fell back down to earth it hardened. Over time the rock layer has eroded to reveal the incredible looking spires and pinnacles that we see here today.
Hoodoos seen from Echo Canyon Trail in Chiricahua National Monument
Additional Hiking
If you have the time and energy, consider hiking the Big Loop Trail, which descends through Echo Canyon and then follows the Sarah Deming Trail through the Heart of Rocks and Inspiration Point. This loop hike is actually comprised of over half a dozen separate trails and it covers nearly 9 miles and 1800 feet in elevation change. If that seems a little to strenuous for you, consider heading out from the Echo Canyon Trailhead to Hailstone Trail just 1.8 miles away, or hike the Ed Rig Trail at just a mile a a half. From the Echo Canyon Trailhead you can also reach one of my favorite hikes in all of Chiricahua National Monument, the Massai Point Nature Trail.
Rock formations along Echo Canyon Trail in Chiricahua National Monument
Know Before You Go
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• As you can see in the pictures, my visit was after a winter snow storm. This is a wonderful time to visit, but trails can be fully covered with snow, as well as be muddy with large pools of standing water. If you visit during wet or snowy months, come prepared with proper footwear, like my Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots. Hiking poles, like these, can also be very handy.
• Roads and trails can close occasionally in winter months due to snowy and icy conditions, so make sure check current conditions on the official NPS website here.
• Black bears are present in the Chiricahua Mountains, so never leave food out or unattended, especially in your vehicle.
• Admission to the park is free. Gates are open 24/7 and the Visitor Center is open from 8:30-4:30pm daily.
• This is a great location for stargazing and astrophotography. In fact, in 2021, the National Park Service and the International Dark Sky Association announced that Chiricahua National Monument would be named the 104th International Dark Sky Park.
Top 10 Things to Do in Southern Arizona
Tombstone
Coronado National Memorial
Picacho Peak State Park
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Pima Air & Space Museum
Echo Canyon Grottoes in Chiricahua National Monument
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Chiricahua National Monument. For a virtual visit of the Echo Canyon Grottos, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Hoodoos and pinnacles in Chiricahua National Monument
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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