The Cochise Stronghold
Posted: November 3rd, 2018, 1:55 pm
Cochise Stronghold East is a delightful Forest Service campground in the Coronado National Forest that we have frequented over the years for the stunning rock scenery and hiking trails. Crowds are deterred by several miles of dirt access road and the lack of hookups or water. No reservations are required or usually needed and a Chinook is perfect for the short back-in sites.
The campground is nestled in a lovely oak grove surrounded by jagged rock spires that provided Chief Cochise his famous Stronghold. There are nice amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, toilets and paved sites that add some level of civilization outside the Chinook luxury suite. Hikes vary from easy manicured trails, to strenuous off-trail adventures through rock labyrinths choked with spiny cactus, to vertical rock climbing on some of the finest granite in the US.
The attached photos should give some impression of the area for those headed along I-10 through Arizona who might enjoy a short detour south on 191 into the Dragoon mountains away from more congested RV hotspots.
The campground is nestled in a lovely oak grove surrounded by jagged rock spires that provided Chief Cochise his famous Stronghold. There are nice amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, toilets and paved sites that add some level of civilization outside the Chinook luxury suite. Hikes vary from easy manicured trails, to strenuous off-trail adventures through rock labyrinths choked with spiny cactus, to vertical rock climbing on some of the finest granite in the US.
The attached photos should give some impression of the area for those headed along I-10 through Arizona who might enjoy a short detour south on 191 into the Dragoon mountains away from more congested RV hotspots.
Closest I actually camped was Kartchner Caverns (my first night with my Chinook!), but I got to drive through the area pretty often for a few years. Definitely need to go back and stay for a while.