If you are a lover of the outdoors, Sierra Vista is the perfect place to call home. From the city of Sierra Vista, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping views of nearby mountain ranges. You’ll also be just a short drive from the following parks, where you can enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. While Arizona is best known as home to Grand Canyon National Park, it boasts many other natural treasures, including three that are close to home in Sierra Vista.
When exploring any outdoor environments in Southern Arizona, including the following destinations, be prepared with plenty of drinking water, sun protection, and breathable, layered clothing.
Chiricahua National Monument
Taking a trip to Chiricahua National Monument feels almost like exploring another planet. Known as the Wonderland of Rocks, this park boasts an array of gravity-defying rock formations formed by ancient volcanic forces. Visitors will find an 8-mile paved road perfect for scenic drives, along with more than 17 miles of day-use trails for hiking. You’ll spot some of the most distinctive geologic formations in the Southwest, along with abundant wildlife. This treasured destination is currently under consideration for designation as a national park, but it is currently protected as a national monument maintained by the U.S. National Park Service.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
No matter what the weather is outside, you can escape to the underground at Kartchner Caverns State Park. As one of the top 10 caves in the U.S., Karchner is a living cave that offers guided tours to explore the breathtaking formations inside. You can also explore the desert landscape surrounding the cave with numerous nature walks and hiking trails. There are two tours available at Kartchner Caverns, with the Rotunda-Throne Room open year-round and the Big Room open from October 15th-April 15th. During the summer, the Big Room is a nursery roost for bats, so it remains closed to human visitors during this time.
Coronado National Monument
Coronado National Monument offers rugged desert trails with unforgettable views, along with a glimpse of history highlighting the Coronado Expedition marking the Spanish arrival in the Southwest U.S. and Northwest Mexico. This park is also a top destination for bird watchers, as it is home to a wide range of species, including roadrunners, Montezuma quail, Mexican jays, peregrine falcons, Scott’s orioles, painted redstarts, summer and hepatic tanagers, vermillion flycatchers, pyrrohuloxia, and numerous hummingbirds. Coronado National Monument also offers something for underground explorers with Coronado Cave, which can be accessed via a short hike. No permits are required to enter the cave, but pets are prohibited from the cave and cave trail.
Are you thinking about moving to Sierra Vista? Find your new home with Castle & Cooke. Homes in our Holiday community are in various stages of construction, and several move-in ready properties are available. These quality built homes are close to the heart of Sierra Vista for convenient access to everything you need, from restaurants to retail shopping to world-class golf courses and unforgettable hikes.