The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge is in the bottom of a wide valley, just 16 miles east of Douglas. The wildlife refuge sits at an elevation between 3,720 and 3,920 feet and includes 140 acres. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintain the refuge. The refuge includes a portion of the headwaters of the Yaqui River. This river flows through the Chihuahua and eastern Sonora, Mexico.

The establishment of the refuge was in part to protect the endangered and threatened native fish of the Yaqui River. Black Draw flows through the refuge. This river has a riparian forest of Fremont cottonwood and black willow. The biggest portion of the refuge consists of desert scrub and mesquite bosque.

The water in the area caused a unique history to form. This history began back in the 1700’s, with the Jesuit priests. The priests came to the area for missionary purposes. Then in 1822, the San Bernardino Land Grant was established to encourage more settlers. Unfortunately, Apache Indian attacks forced the grant to be abandoned. Later on, in the mid-1800’s the area became a stopover for prisoners.

Then in 1887 John Slaughter bought the land grant. John Slaughter was a former Texas Ranger. Slaughter brought in a huge herd of Texas longhorns to start his ranch. He eventually built his ranch on the land. John Slaughter and his second wife branded their cattle with a Z. This brand was one of the first brands registered in Cochise County.

The Slaughters believed in using a gun and a rope when working with a herd. As time passed, word got out that no one should mess with his herds of cattle. In 1886, he ran for sheriff and won. He enforced the law in the county with a firm hand. In 1892, he retired from office and was an honorary deputy sheriff until he died in 1922. He was one of Arizona ’s cattle kings. Today you can visit the John Slaughter Ranch, which lies within the refuge.

This ranch is now a National Historic Landmark. The main house has been restored. Visitors will see family photos and furnishings. The ranch also has several outbuildings to see like a barn, icehouse, granary, commissary, car shed and washhouse.

You might also see an early 1900’s military outpost near the ranch. The outpost was once occupied during Mexican and Native Indian raids.
The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge offers a picnic area. The Slaughter Ranch Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 3:00 pm. The admission cost is $3.00 and children under 12 are free. For more information on the museum, call 520-558-2474. If you would like more information on this trip into the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, you may call 520-364-2104.

You can get the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge from Douglas by taking 15th Street east out of town. The street later becomes Geronimo Trail. You will follow this road out to a gate with a “Z” on the front of it. The “Z” is the brand symbol for the Slaughter Ranch. Please do not attempt the drive under wet conditions.

President Coolidge signed the bill in 1924, making the most scenic section of the Chiricahua Mountains a national monument. The Chiricahua National Monument covers approximately 12,000 acres. The Chiricahua Mountain range is part of the Coronado National Forest. This land was once the home of the Cochise and Chiricahua Apache Indians. The area has the nickname “Standing-Up Rocks.” This is not surprising, because many of the rock formations found in the Chiricahua’s are quite impressive. The Chiricahuas are noted for the rock spires and boulders balancing on top of smaller rocks.

Geologists believe that the formations were made from volcanic eruptions. The theory is that twenty seven million years ago, a volcanic eruption shook the land around the Chiricahua National Monument. This eruption was one thousand times greater that the 1980 eruption of the Mount St. Helens. This eruption called the Turkey Creek Caldera eventually laid down two thousand feet of highly silicious ash and pumice. This mix of ash and pumice fused into a rock called rhyolitic tuff. After years of erosion, the unusual rocks that are in the monument were formed.

The Chiricahua National Monument is also filled wildlife and a variety of plants. You will find this spot great, if you are a birder. There are hummingbirds, Zone-tailed hawks and trogons in the area. The Chiricahua’s also have both Southwestern and Sierra Madrean flora and fauna.
The first stop to the national monument is the visitor center. Here you will learn about the history of the area. There is a slide show and exhibits detailing the geology, wildlife and the numerous sightseeing spots in the monument. The rangers are happy to answer questions and recommend hiking trails. The visitor center also offers books, videos and maps for purchase.

The visitor center is open everyday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is a $4.00 charge to cars on you way in to the center. If you have any questions about the monument, you may call 520-824-3560. Visitors can get an overview of the park by taking a drive. The Bonita Canyon Drive travels along a paved 6 mile winding road. The mountain road goes through oak-juniper and pine forests up to the top of the Chiricahua Mountains. Here, at the top, on Massai Point you can see the park, valleys and Cochise Head. The point also has a geology exhibit and a variety of hikes begin at this spot.

Hikers can see the beauty of the area by taking one of the many trails in the Chiricahua National Monument. There are nearly 100 miles of hiking trails to choose from during your visit. It is important to be prepared when embarking on a trail. The visitor center is a great place to make your hiking plans. Hikes are best made during the months of March to May or October to November.

Camping is available at the Chiricahua National Monument. The campgrounds can be found a half-mile from the visitor center. There are no showers or hook-ups at the grounds. Campers will be charged $6.00 a day.
The Chiricahua National Monument requires all dogs to be on leash. Dogs are not allowed on any of the trails, except the Faraway Trail. Horseback riding is permitted, but rangers would like to be aware of their presence.

You can get the Chiricahua National Monument from Willcox by taking State Highway 186 south, until it turns into State Highway 181. There are several entrances into the National Monument from State Highway 181. If you are coming from Douglas, you will take State Highway 191 north out of town. When you get near Sunizona, you will head east on State Highway 181 to the Chiricahuas. If you are coming from Tombstone or Bisbee, you will head south out of town on State Highway 80 to Douglas. Then you will head north on 191 through Douglas. When you get near Sunizona, you will head east on State Highway 181 to the Chiricahua’s.

This National Monument is a real treasure. You should plan quite a bit of time for your visit. There is so much to see and do, that you will want to make a return visit.