Overview
The Dragoon Mountains are in Southeast Arizona. With very rugged terrain, the Dragoons provided refuge for the Chiricahua Apaches during the Apache Wars of the 19th century, and offer excellent hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and camping opportunities. The area is managed by the Coronado National Forest; maps and hiking information can be obtained from the Douglas Ranger District office.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dragoon Mountains
Amerind Foundation
A private museum dedicated to the preservation of Native American cultures and histories, with special events and educational programs.
Texas Canyon
Named after pioneer settlers from Texas whose family still operates a nearby ranch, the pass is between the Dragoon Mountains in the south and the Little Dragoon Mountains in the north. The entire area is marked by huge …
Dragoon Springs
This site includes a ruined Butterfield Stagecoach station, and Civil War graves from the First Battle of Dragoon Springs.
Cochise Stronghold
Apache chief Cochise is believed to be buried in this area. Cochise Trail #279 is a challenging but very scenic 5-mile trail (one-way) beginning on the western side of the range and terminating at Cochise Stronghold Camp…
Council Rocks
This site, surrounded by giant boulders with pre-Columbian pictographs, is believed to be where the 1872 peace treaty between Chief Cochise and General Howard was negotiated.
Rock climbing
Rockfellow Dome is one of the most popular locations. Some areas are closed from March through June to protect sensitive raptor-nesting sites. Call the Douglas office at +1 520-364-6800 for a list of routes that are open…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Chiricahua National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TUS Tucson International Airport, Tucson — 58 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SVC Grant County Airport, Silver City — 119 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$150 a night (typical $150), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$320.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Dragoon Springs, Cochise Stronghold
- Afternoon Rock climbing, Council Rocks
Day 2
- Morning Amerind Foundation
- Afternoon Texas Canyon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
They are a range of mountains about 25 mi (40 km) long, running on an axis extending south-south east through Willcox.
Mount Glenn (7,520 ft; 2,290 m) is the highest point in the range. The Little Dragoon Mountains are the continuation of the Dragoon Mountains north of Texas Canyon.
Fossilized horn coral has been discovered on exposed limestone rock. Ancient pictographs and matate dating to AD 1200 exist in the area and are attributed to the Mogollon people. The Apache people resided in this area beginning in the 15th century.
The warrior Cochise and his army defeated a small force of Confederate soldiers here at the First Battle of Dragoon Springs but was defeated at the Second Battle of Dragoon Springs a few days later. Cochise Stronghold Memorial Park lies near Mount Glenn on the eastern slope of the range and the historic town of Tombstone can be found at the southwestern portion of the range. There are also several ghost towns in the Dragoon Mountains including Gleeson and Courtland.
Park information
- US Forest Service website
- +1 520-364-3468 (Douglas Ranger District)
Get in
- Western access: turn east off of Hwy 80 onto Middlemarch Rd.
- Eastern access: turn west off of Hwy 191 onto W Ironwood Rd.
See
See Texas Canyon
Named after pioneer settlers from Texas whose family still operates a nearby ranch, the pass is between the Dragoon Mountains in the south and the Little Dragoon Mountains in the north. The entire area is marked by huge granite boulders which can be easily appreciated from the I-10 rest stop. To explore further, take Exit 318 and turn south and head toward the Amerind Foundation (listed above).
Ghost Town Trail
- Begin in Tombstone on Gleeson Rd, which becomes a graded dirt road. The Gleeson Cemetery will be on your left, a short distance before the townsite. Remains of Gleeson include a saloon, schoolhouse, hospital, and newly restored jail.
- Head north to Courtland on N Gleeson-Pearce Rd, aka Ghost Town Trail, which has just a couple of ruined structures remaining.
- Go further on to Pearce with two structures on the National Register of Historic Places: the Old Pearce General Store and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
- From here continue on Hwy 191 to see Cochise and the historic Cochise Hotel.
Do
Do Dragoon Springs
This site includes a ruined Butterfield Stagecoach station, and Civil War graves from the First Battle of Dragoon Springs.
Do Council Rocks
This site, surrounded by giant boulders with pre-Columbian pictographs, is believed to be where the 1872 peace treaty between Chief Cochise and General Howard was negotiated.
Sleep
Lodging
Stay Cochise Stronghold Retreat
In the Dragoon Mountains, this lodging option has some atmosphere, and its operators seem to be trying to be good citizens of the region, as witness their hosting the website for Cochise Stronghold itself. Makes a good base for hiking and bird-watching.
Stay Half Moon Ranch
Set in a dramatic canyon in the Dragoon Mountains, the seven-room ranch can accommodate up to ten people and six horses. The fully-furnished ranch house has electricity and running water, but guests must bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and other supplies. Non-smoking, pets permitted. The property is maintained by the US Forest Service, and reservations can be made online.
Stay Shaw House
A historic eight-room stone cabin located in the eastern Dragoon Mountains. The fully-furnished cabin has electricity and running water, but guests must bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and other supplies. Non-smoking, pets permitted. The property is maintained by the US Forest Service, and reservations can be made online.
Camping
Nearby
Tombstone
City / town · 16 listings · 12 mi away
Benson
City / town · 24 listings · 20 mi away
Willcox
City / town · 25 listings · 29 mi away
Sierra Vista
City / town · 66 listings · 32 mi away
Bisbee
City / town · 41 listings · 32 mi away
Chiricahua National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 38 mi away
Saguaro National Park
Park · 14 listings · 39 mi away
Chiricahua Mountains
Rural area · 17 listings · 41 mi away
My experience
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