Willcox, Arizona: Hiking, Wildlife and Vineyards

The Chiricahua National Monument spans 11,985 acres of southeast Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains, an inactive volcanic range of uneven peaks rising over 9,000 feet from forest-covered valleys.

Volcanic activity occurring over millions of years gave rise to the monument’s peculiar geological formations.

An 8-mile paved roadway and 17 miles of hiking trails carve through the park for visitors to investigate the area’s caves, faults, and lava flows. The monument is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, whitetail deer and nearly 200 species of birds.

The Visitor Center offers geology, archeology, cultural and natural history exhibits as well as a bookstore for visitors to explore. The park< is open year-round and is a great day trip.

12856 E. Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox, AZ 85643, Phone: 520-824-3560

Fort Bowie was the seat of U.S. military operations against the Chiricahua Apache people for decades, until the Chiricahua’s were banished to the American southeast in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886. Located at the crossroads of the Dos Cabezas and Chiricahua Mountains, Fort Bowie National Historic Site preserves the written accounts and artifacts of the people involved in the conflict inside the Visitor Center. Visitors can also tour the ruins of the former U.S. Army base and explore Apache Pass, a historic travel route for the Chiricahua people. The area’s converging ecosystems offer unique opportunities for birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Groups can schedule ranger-led educational programs or guided hikes.

3500 South Apache Pass Road, Bowie, AZ 85605, Phone: 520-847-2500

Museums

The Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum opened in 1989 to honor the famous singing cowboy and Willcox native son Rex Allen. The cowboy’s talents ranged from rodeo to radio, films, and television, making him a country western icon beginning in the late 1940s. The museum features memorabilia from Rex Allen’s career, with a gift shop offering a variety of music CD’s and DVD’s of the actors’ movies and television series, as well as souvenirs and gifts. An oversized bronze statue of Rex stands across the street from the museum, with his horse KoKo buried at the foot of the statue. The museum features other real-life Willcox residents who embodied the cowboy lifestyle and values in the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame.

150 N. Railroad Ave., Willcox, AZ 85643, Phone: 520-384-4583

The Chiricahua Regional Museum serves to preserve the history of the ethnic groups and events that helped shape southeast Arizona. Maintained and operated by the nonprofit Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society, the museum holds a collection of artifacts, written documents and photographs that tell the story of development in the area from prehistoric times to today. The museum particularly focuses on the native Chiricahua Apache people and their interactions with early settlers, military conflict and the impacts of ranching, farming, railroads, and mining. The Chiricahua Regional Museum also holds special events throughout the year including educational children's events to raise awareness of the area’s rich cultural history.

127 E. Maley St., Willcox, AZ 85643, Phone: 520-384-3971

Attractions for Couples

Grapes thrive in the sun and soil of the Willcox Bench, a region south of Willcox home to 15 wineries and renowned for producing award-winning Arizona wines. Owners Rhona MacMillan and Mark Jorve planted their first grapevines in the area in 2010, opening Zarpara Vineyard two years later.

The winery and tasting room are a 15-mile drive from downtown Willcox, at the foot of the Dos Cabezas Mountains.

Visitors can lounge on the patio overlooking the very grapes used to create Zarpara’s 12 red and white wines. Zarpara Vineyard also offers a wine club, with discounts on all wine purchases and two shipments of bottles each year straight to your door. Zarpara Vineyard is about 3 hours from Scottsdale.

6777 S. Zarpara Ln. Willcox, AZ, Phone: 520-222-7114

The Willcox Playa Wildlife Area is the focal point of the 35-mile Sulphur Springs Valley Loop. The numerous viewing spots over the Willcox Playa make it an ideal site for bird watching, with migratory species flocking to the area between October and March. When it fills with water, the 28,000-acre basin becomes a habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl and cranes. The sight of thousands of sandhill cranes taking off from the playa in the early morning draws visitors from all over the world. During the winter, the area is home to between 12 and 15 species of birds of prey, including red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and bald eagles. Summer wildlife viewing includes turkey vultures, greater roadrunners and Swainson’s hawks, as well as mammals such as javelina, coyotes, bobcats, and mule deer.

555 N. Greasewood Road A, Tucson, AZ 85745, Phone: 520-628-5376

The Nature Conservancy and other local agencies work to protect the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area, 49,120 acres of natural landscapes and wildlife. Members of the conservancy can rent one of five casitas for a minimum three day stay on the property. Originally constructed in the late 1800s, the renovated buildings combine historic charm and luxury with antique furnishings, private bathroom, kitchen, and exclusive access to nearby natural spring hot tubs. Guests can take in the scenic views from The McMurray Commons multi-use room and deck for bird watching or stargazing. Beyond the casitas lie over 22 miles of hiking trails and canyons to explore.

6502 N. Muleshoe Ranch Road. Willcox, AZ 85643, Phone: 800-628-6860

Coronado Vineyards has been crafting wines in southeast Arizona since 2005. Planted on a former golf course, the El Pinito Vineyard yields grapes for a variety of red, white, dessert and sparkling wines. Guests can take home bottles from the gift shop or sample a glass of Coronado Vineyard’s over a dozen wines in the tasting room, along with selections from the tapas menu including chips and dips, gourmet meat and cheese trays, flatbread pizza and a daily dessert special. Coronado Vineyards earned several awards for its wines at state competitions from 2008 to 2013. Visitors to Willcox can also find Coronado Vineyards represented at local wine festivals beginning in May and lasting through October.

2909 E. Country Club Dr., Phone: 520-384-2993, Willcox, AZ 85643

Apple Annie's Orchard is a family farming operation with eateries, gift shops and pick-your-own orchards spread across three locations in Willcox. Visitors can pick their own apples, pears, and peaches from the orchard, as well as corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and other vegetables from over 125 acres of produce fields. Already-picked fruit and vegetables are available for purchase at the Country Store Gift Shop and Market, along with canned goods, gifts, and home decor. For a weekday lunch the Bakery & Fudge Counter offers hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, with and daily soup specials and homemade pies, bread, and fudge. On weekends The Orchard Grill serves an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, followed by burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and desserts for lunch. Apple Annie's Orchard is about an hour and 15 minute trip from Tucson.

2081 W. Hardy Road, Willcox, AZ 85643, Phone: 520-384-2084