National parks near Tombstone, Arizona
Chiricahua National Park is the closest national park to Tombstone, Arizona — 47.4 mi (76.2 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 34 min behind the wheel.
National Park Service unit in Arizona (NPS code chir). Congress redesignated Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. PAD-US 4.1 records 12,203 acres at 32.012148°N, 109.341622°W.
Chiricahua National Park and Saguaro National Park make a full day trip — leave early. Petrified Forest National Park and White Sands National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Tombstone gates the entrance itself, but 4 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Tombstone has a population of about 1,312.
Chiricahua National Park
Saguaro National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
White Sands National Park
San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park
Basaseachic Falls National Park
Best time to visit Chiricahua National Park. Getting to Chiricahua National Park. Camping at Chiricahua National Park.
National parks near Tombstone
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiricahua National Park | 47.4 mi (76.2 km) | 1 hr 34 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Saguaro National Park | 76 mi (122 km) | 2 hr 15 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Petrified Forest National Park | 221 mi (356 km) | 5 hr 41 min | Best as a weekend |
| White Sands National Park | 231 mi (371 km) | 5 hr 54 min | Best as a weekend |
| San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park | 268 mi (431 km) | 6 hr 48 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Basaseachic Falls National Park | 270 mi (435 km) | 6 hr 51 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cumbres de Majalca National Park | 293 mi (472 km) | 7 hr 24 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 305 mi (492 km) | 7 hr 41 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 322 mi (519 km) | 8 hr 5 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park | 326 mi (524 km) | 8 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Tombstone
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrified Forest National Park | Wilderness backpacking permit | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| White Sands National Park | Backcountry camping permit | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Grand Canyon National Park | Tuweep Area Day Use Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Tombstone
Within reach of Tombstone, 8 campgrounds across 4 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 3 at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 3 at Grand Canyon National Park, 1 at Chiricahua National Park, and 1 at Saguaro National Park.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Chiricahua National Park is generally best March through May, then October through November, with February and early December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Summer highs regularly clear 100 °F / 38 °C. Winter is pleasant by day but nights drop below freezing at elevation.
Summer heat is the real hazard, not the crowds. Hike at dawn, skip exposed trails after mid-morning, and never rely on finding water.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Tombstone are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Chiricahua → Saguaro | 110 mi (177 km) | 3 hr 3 min |
| Chiricahua → White Sands | 184 mi (295 km) | 4 hr 48 min |
| Saguaro → Petrified Forest | 201 mi (323 km) | 5 hr 12 min |
| Chiricahua → Petrified Forest | 202 mi (325 km) | 5 hr 14 min |
Planning a trip from Tombstone
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Cochise County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Tombstone?
Chiricahua National Park. It is about 47.4 mi (76.2 km) from Tombstone, roughly 1 hr 34 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Tombstone?
Yes — Chiricahua National Park and Saguaro National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Tombstone?
10 parks are within reach of Tombstone, and 2 of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Tombstone?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 4 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Wilderness backpacking permit at Petrified Forest National Park, Backcountry camping permit at White Sands National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Tombstone?
Recreation.gov lists 8 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Tombstone. They are spread across 4 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Tombstone?
For Chiricahua National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then October through November. Either side of that, February and early December stays quieter.