Coronado National Monument
Coronado National Memorial commemorates the Coronado Expedition of 1540-1542 and its lasting impacts on the culture of northwest Mexico and the southwestern United States.
The park is located near the center of a biological crossroads, incorporating four distinct ecological zones: Sierra Madre, Chihuahua Desert, Rocky Mountain, and Sonoran Desert. Each of these zones are represented in the flora or fauna in the park’s diverse landscape of oak woodlands, piñon-juniper, grasslands, and riparian corridors. Hiking trails, a natural limestone cave, and sweeping vistas from Coronado Peak await those wishing to connect with the cultural and natural landscape.
You may see a roadrunner, Montezuma quail, Mexican jay, peregrine falcon, Scott’s oriole, painted redstart, summer and hepatic tanager, vermillion flycatcher, pyrrhuloxia, a wide variety of hummingbirds and warblers and much, much more.
Site Information
Region: Tucson and Southern
County: Cochise
Directions: From the city of Sierra Vista continue south on Hwy 92 about 20 miles and turn right onto S. Coronado Memorial Drive. Follow Coronado Memorial Drive (it will turn into E Montezuma Canyon Rd) 5 miles to the Visitor Center.
Latitude: 31.346027
Longitude: -110.253856
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn til dusk
Other Operational Hours: The visitor center is open every day (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Coronado National Memorial is a day use park. The trails, picnic area, waysides, and Montezuma Pass overlook are open each day from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
Admission or Fees: Coronado National Memorial is a Fee Free park, no entrance fee is required.
Best time to visit: Though the park shares a border with our southern neighbors, the elevation and the mountain ecosystem keep Coronado National Memorial relatively cool in the summer, and winter can bring snow. Summers are warm, with daytime temps in the 90s F (32-37 C) and low humidity in May, June, and July. The summer rainy season (monsoon) is between late June and early September. Monsoon thunderstorms can cause flash floods. Winter temps can fall below freezing at night, with highs 40-60 F (4-15 C).
Habitats: Grassland, Mixed Conifer-Aspen Forest, Pinyon-juniper Forest
Know Before You Go
The scenic overlook at Montezuma Pass (elevation 6,575 ft.) is three miles west of the visitor center, accessed by an unpaved, winding mountain road.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Arizona Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Montezuma’s Quail, Painted Redstart, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Charismatic: Summer Tanager, Vermilion Flycatcher
Contact Information
Coronado National Memorial
National Park Service
4101 E Montezuma Canyon Road
Hereford, AZ 85615
Phone: 520-366-5515
Website: https://www.nps.gov/coro/index.htm
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L372919
Additional Resources:
Birding checklist from Coronado National Memorial
Arizona Trail - Passage 1 (Montezuma Pass)
