Located on the southeastern corner of Arizona, the Chiricahua National Monument offers a perfect place to get out and explore, stretching your road-weary legs. Just south of well-traveled Interstate 10, the Chiricahua Mountains got their start with a volcanic eruption some 27 million years ago. Now considered a sky island, visitors can explore this national monument in a few hours and enjoy some cooler temperatures and a treed landscape, different from the surrounding grassland and desert beyond. Here are the top things to see in Chiricahua National Monument.

Note: A Sky Island is an isolated mountain range that juts unexpectedly from its surroundings. These are found in the area that covers Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico.

Stop at the Chiricahua National Monument for a quick pic. Photo by Catherine Parker

What Makes Chiricahua Unique

With a blast 27 million years ago, a volcanic eruption blew hot ash and