Montezuma Canyon Road | Arizona
This journey begins at the intersection of State Route 92 and Coronado Memorial Road, south of Sierra Vista, AZ. You’ll ride or drive on a paved road through a beautiful landscape of golden grasslands before entering the Coronado National Memorial, which is part of the U.S. National Park Service. Once inside the Memorial, you can stop at the Visitors Center to learn more about its history commemorating the first organized expedition into the southwest by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. A short distance further is the trailhead to Coronado Cave, an open and undeveloped cavern that is 600 feet long. The trail to the cave is about a half-mile long and not to be missed if you have the time.
US/Mexico Border
The pavement soon ends after the cave trail and the rest of the route is on easy, graded dirt roads. A real highlight is the climb up to Montezuma Pass (Elevation 6,575 feet). There is an overlook three miles west of the Visitors Center and it is open from dusk to dawn every day. The overlook at the top of the pass includes is a large parking area with picnic tables and a restroom. From this vantage point you can see the San Pedro Valley to the east, the San Rafael Valley to the west and Mexico (and the US/Mexico border wall) to the south. Should you be interested in hiking, there are a couple of hiking trails that head off from this parking area.
On Top of Montezuma Pass
A Lake in the Desert
As you descend from Montezuma Pass along the southern edge of the Huachuca Mountains you will travel through rolling hills and shallow canyons to State Route 83 and Parker Canyon Lake, a popular spot for boating, camping and fishing. There is a beautiful hiking trail around the lake that sees few people – a perfect opportunity to experience the beauty and wildlife of this setting. I always enjoy the walk around the lake and the surprising amount of nature that can be seen along the way – birds, deer, insects, fish. If I am in the mood and it is hot outside, a swim in the lake is very refreshing too.
Details
- Distance: 26 miles
- Location: Arizona
- Start: AZ-92
- End: Parker Canyon Lake
- Difficulty: Easy
- Conditions: graded dirt road
- Cities: Sierra Vista
- Camping: Coronado National Forest
Highlights
- Coronado National Memorial
- Visitors Center
- Cave Trail
- Montezuma Pass
- Bear Creek
- Parker Canyon Lake