Chiricahua National Monument

The Chiricahua National Monument presents an amazing variety of plants and animals, with more than 20 miles of hiking trails to explore the towering spire rock formations.

Twenty seven million years ago a volcanic eruption of immense proportions shook the land around Chiricahua National Monument. One thousand times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Turkey Creek Caldera eruption eventually laid down two thousand feet of highly silicious ash and pumice. This mixture fused into a rock called rhyolitic tuff and eventually eroded into the spires and unusual rock formations of today.