Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial Review

Those driving to Coronado National Memorial, dedicated to Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, will see many of the same stunning vistas of Arizona and Mexico the conquistador saw when he trod this route in 1540 seeking the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola. It's a little more than 3 mi via a dirt road from the visitor center to Montezuma Pass, and another 0.5 mi on foot to the top of the nearly 7,000-foot Coronado Peak, where the views are best. Other trails include Joe's Canyon Trail, a steep 3-mi route (one way) down to the visitor center, and Miller Peak Trail, 12 mi round-trip to the highest point in the Huachuca Mountains (Miller Peak is 9,466 feet). Kids ages 5 to 12 can participate in the memorial's Junior Ranger program, explore Coronado Cave, and dress up in replica Spanish armor. The turnoff for the monument is 16 mi south of Sierra Vista on AZ 92; the visitor center is 5 mi farther.