Overview
Willcox is a small town in Cochise County, Southeast Arizona, and a convenient gateway to Chiricahua National Monument and other scenic sights in the region.
6 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Willcox
Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame
Displays memorabilia from the life of cowboy singer Rex Allen, whose favorite horse is buried in the park across the street.
Willcox Southern Pacific Railroad Depot
Built in 1881, this is the only surviving depot from the southern transcontinental railroad. The building has been fully restored, and now houses Willcox City Hall. There is an interpretive railroad display in the lobby.…
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
A ruined army fort which played a pivotal role in the Apache Wars of the 19th century, and abandoned in 1894. The fort ruins are accessible via a 1.5-mile trail, which also passes by the remains of a Butterfield stagecoa…
Apple Annie's Orchards
Pick your own apples, peaches, and other produce. In October they host a popular pumpkin festival. The orchards close for the season at the end of October.
Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center
A small museum with displays focusing on local history.
Vineyards
Many Arizona wines are produced from grapes from this region. Willcox makes a good base to explore local vineyards, many of which have opened tasting rooms here.
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 — 68 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SVC Grant County Airport, Silver City — 98 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$79 a night (typical $109), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$240.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center, Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame, Willcox Southern Pacific Railroad Depot
- Lunch Double S Steakhouse
- Afternoon Willcox Pioneer Cemetery, Apple Annie's Orchards
- Dinner Plaza Restaurant
- Evening Mack’s Bar
Day 2
- Morning Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Rex Allen Days
- Lunch Coronado Vineyards
- Afternoon Willcox Wine Country Festival
- Dinner Big Tex BBQ
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There aren't many restaurants in Willcox besides fast food chains. The best are listed below.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Get in
- By car. Willcox is approximately half way between Tucson and the New Mexico state line, on I-10 (Interstate 10). If you're driving to town on I-10, be aware that the road is one of the United States' major east-west commercial arteries, and is full of truck traffic, much of it traveling at speeds well beyond the posted 75 mph.
Get around
The historic core of Willcox is easily explored on foot. To see things further afield, a car is necessary.
See
See Chiricahua Regional Museum and Research Center
A small museum with displays focusing on local history.
See Willcox Southern Pacific Railroad Depot
Built in 1881, this is the only surviving depot from the southern transcontinental railroad. The building has been fully restored, and now houses Willcox City Hall. There is an interpretive railroad display in the lobby.
See Willcox Pioneer Cemetery
An atmospheric abandoned pioneer cemetery. Warren Baxter Earp, the youngest of the Earp brothers of Tombstone, is buried here. Watch out for fire ants and rattlesnakes.
See Fort Bowie National Historic Site
A ruined army fort which played a pivotal role in the Apache Wars of the 19th century, and abandoned in 1894. The fort ruins are accessible via a 1.5-mile trail, which also passes by the remains of a Butterfield stagecoach station and a historic cemetery.
Do
Buy
Shop Apple Annie's Country Store
Operated by Apple Annie's Orchard (see listing above), this shop sells seasonal produce, pies and baked goods, and jams, syrups, and salsas.
Grocery stores
Eat
Restaurants
There aren't many restaurants in Willcox besides fast food chains. The best are listed below.
Eat Big Tex BBQ
Housed in an old railroad car, the food is basic but decent.
Eat Coronado Vineyards
Wine tasting and tapas, outside seating area.
Eat Plaza Restaurant
Mexican and American fare, popular with the locals.
Eat Double S Steakhouse
Little cuts of beef to go along with your baked potato.
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
Stay Dos Cabezas Spirit and Nature Retreat and Bed and Breakfast
Comfy historic, adobe guest house bed and breakfast in the ghost town village of Dos Cabezas, just twenty minutes to the Chiricahua Mountains. Great for birding, hiking, meditation. Enjoy complete privacy as the bed and breakfast hosts only one party at a time, up to 5 people.
Camping
Stay Indian Bread Rocks Picnic Area
Named for the prehistoric Native American grinding holes found in the granite bedrock, this scenic area marks the access point to the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness Area. The campground has picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, but no water. Open year-round and managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).
Go next
- Chiricahua National Monument
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site is an oddity in the United States National Park System, in that you must hike cross-country to get to it rather than just driving. The parking area is reachable via the Apache Pass road southeast of Willcox. The ruins of an old fort are about a three-mile (round trip) hike from the parking area (bring plenty of water).
Nearby
Dragoon Mountains
Rural area · 11 listings · 29 mi away
Chiricahua National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 32 mi away
Benson
City / town · 24 listings · 37 mi away
Safford
City / town · 26 listings · 39 mi away
Chiricahua Mountains
Rural area · 17 listings · 41 mi away
Tombstone
City / town · 16 listings · 42 mi away
Saguaro National Park
Park · 14 listings · 42 mi away
Rodeo
City / town · 9 listings · 53 mi away
My experience
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