Huachuca Mountains
The Huachuca Mountains are the third highest of the Sky Island mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and they rise almost 4,500 feet above the desert floor. The mountain range is oriented in a northwestern direction giving it more north-facing slopes and perhaps a somewhat cooler climate than some of the other Sky Island mountain ranges with similar elevation. The highest elevations support mixed conifer forests on north-facing slopes and pine forests on south-facing slopes. Lower elevations have extensive oak and oak-pine woodlands. Management of this mountain range is divided mostly between the U.S Forest Service and Department of Defense (Fort Huachuca). Fort Huachuca occupies roughly the northeastern quarter of the range; the Forest Service manages the northwestern quarter and southern half. A small part of the southern end of the range is managed by the National Park Service as Coronado National Memorial.
Special Places:
East Side Canyons: Spring-fed streams, northeast orientation, and high canyon walls provide the canyons on the east side of the Huachuca Mountains with a moist cool environment unusual in the desert southwest. Water-loving trees like sycamores and maples grow along the streams often within a few feet of cacti, yucca, and agaves. The principal canyons accessible to visitors are Huachuca Canyon and Garden Canyon on Fort Huachuca; Ramsey Canyon, which is a private preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy; and Carr Canyon on the Coronado National Forest.
Miller Peak Wilderness: This wilderness of 20,190 acres occupies much of the high country at the southern end of the mountain range. It has an extensive trail system.
Coronado National Memorial: Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led the first major European expedition into the American Southwest in 1540 in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Cíbola. This park on the Mexican border was established to honor that quest. The park occupies the lower elevations at the southern end of the mountain range. It has excellent grasslands and evergreen oak woodlands.
At a Glance
Best Season: | Year-round |
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Closest Towns: | Sierra Vista, AZ |
Information Center: | Sierra Vista Ranger District 520-378-0311 |
Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:- Brown Canyon Ranch
- Brown Canyon #115
- Carr Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Lyle Canyon #120 Trailhead
- Huachuca #121
- Peterson Peak #119
- Miller Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Perimeter #138B
- Perimeter #138
- Scotia Canyon #127
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:Dispersed Camping
Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Bear Canyon #125 Trailhead
- Brown Canyon Ranch
- Brown Canyon #115
- Pomona Mine #116
- Carr Canyon Road #368 Scenic Drive
- Carr Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Carr House
- Carr Peak #107
- Clark Spring #124
- Comfort Springs #109
- Old Sawmill Spring #126 Trailhead
- Crest #103 Trailhead
- Hamburg #122 Trailhead
- Hunter Canyon #111 Trailhead
- Ida Canyon #110
- Oversite Canyon #112
- Lutz Canyon #104
- Lyle Canyon #120 Trailhead
- Huachuca #121
- Peterson Peak #119
- Miller Canyon #106 (Upper) Trailhead
- Miller Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Perimeter #138B
- Miller Peak Wilderness
- Pat Scott Canyon #123
- Perimeter #138
- Sunnyside Canyon Trailhead
- Eureka #129
- Scotia Canyon #127
- Sunnyside Canyon #117
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Comfort Springs #109
- Crest #103 Trailhead
- Hamburg #122 Trailhead
- Lutz Canyon #104
- Miller Peak Wilderness
- Pat Scott Canyon #123
- Eureka #129
- Scotia Canyon #127
- Sunnyside Canyon #117
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:- Carr Canyon Road #368 Scenic Drive
- Carr House
- Ramsey Vista Campground
- Crest #103 Trailhead
- Miller Peak Wilderness
- Pat Scott Canyon #123
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:- Brown Canyon Ranch
- Brown Canyon #115
- Carr Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Crest #103 Trailhead
- Hunter Canyon #111 Trailhead
- Oversite Canyon #112
- Miller Canyon #106 (Upper) Trailhead
- Miller Canyon Perimeter Trailhead
- Perimeter #138B
- Miller Peak Wilderness
- Pat Scott Canyon #123
- Perimeter #138
- Sunnyside Canyon Trailhead
- Scotia Canyon #127
Big Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:Arizona Game and Fish rules and regulations apply on federal land. https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/
Small Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Small Game Hunting:Arizona Game and Fish rules and regulations apply on federal land. https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:Ramsey Canyon and Miller Canyon are popular birding locations.
Viewing Plants
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:Special Plants:
- Arabis tricornuta
- Asclepias lemmonii
- Aster potosinus
- Astragalus hypoxylus
- Coursetia glabella
- Hexalectris warnockii
- Hieracium pringlei
- Hieracium rusbyi
- Laennecia eriophylla
- Lilaeopsis schaffneriana ssp. recurva
- Lilium parryi
- Lupinus huachucanus
- Malaxis porphyria
- Packera neomexicana var. toumeyi
- Pectis imberbis
- Potentilla rhyolitica var. rhyolitica
- Psilactis gentry
- Senecio huachucanus
- Talinum marginatum
- Tragia laciniata
- Viola umbraticola
OHV Road Riding
Recreation areas with activity OHV Road Riding:Interpretive Areas
Recreation areas with activity Interpretive Areas:Brown Canyon Ranch, Carr House, Reef Townsite Nature Trail, and Carr Nature Trail
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:Scenic Driving
Recreation areas with activity Scenic Driving:- Arizona Highway #83 to Montezuma Pass Scenic Drive
- Border Road #61 Scenic Drive
- Carr Canyon Road #368 Scenic Drive