Free Campgrounds - Cochise Stronghold West in Coronado National Forest

Free campgrounds and camping
ARIZONA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
COCHISE STRONGHOLD (WEST)
WEST COCHISE VALLEY TRAIL
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST
LATITUDE: 31°50.819
LONGITUDE: 110°00.198
(GPS from Entrance Gate / Cattle Guard at
Junction Middle March Road and Road#687)
ELEVATION: xx'
Dispersed and Primitive Camping

From Tombstone you can see Cochise
Stronghold. It is amazing how few people
know about this place or have actually
been here. Cochise Stronghold is very
deceptive, with secrets and surprises
awaiting for those who do visit.

The West Cochise Stronghold Road winds
it's way around the base of the cliffs and
towering rocks for about 10 miles. There
are camping areas along the road. Usually
we camp down the second road to the right.
(About 2 miles after turning off Middle March
Road). After turning on the second road, it
splits twice, stay to the right, the camp site
is at the base of the Cochise Stronghold
surrounded by massive rock formations.

We are still trying to get a good photo...
This image just doesn't capture the spirit.

West Cochise Stronghold

As you explore the landscape you will
find some natural arches and windows.
There are caves scattered throughout
the hills.

West Cochise Stronghold Road / Road#687

Deer and wildlife are common sights.
Also be aware of rattlesnakes, scorpions,
killer bees and fire ants to name a few
dangerous critters you might stumble
upon. Boots are recommended.

Mountains looking south

Mountains looking west towards Tombstone

Road towards the first camp area
(About 2 miles turn right before the cattle guard)

Road towards the first camp area
(About 2 miles turn right before the cattle guard)
N 31°52.179
W 110°01.048

View from camp area

West Cochise Stronghold

In above photo, there is a road that loops
around the valley with several campsites.
See images below...

Road#xx
(First road past the cattle guard)

Dispersed camp
(Turn right on second road past cattle guard)

Dispersed camp with rock
(Turn right on second road past cattle guard)
N 31°52.465
W 110°01.322

Dispersed camp
(Turn right on first road past cattle guard)
N 31°52.346
W 110°01.104
See if you can find Katy's Cache
Photo at bottom of this page...

There are camp areas almost every road...
Most include a great view and wild rock
formations.

Road#687J Camp Area

There is plenty of wood for a campfire,
but it is recommended to take a hand saw.

Camping Limit 14 Days
There are no garbage services.
Primitive camping

FIRE RESTRICTIONS
It is your responsibility to know what fire
restrictions are in effect. A shovel, ax, and
5 gallons of water may be required. Leather
gloves and fire extinguisher recommended.

Square designs on the rocks? Indians?
3'6"W x 5'6"H
N 31°52.213
W 110°01.073

There are several smaller squares on
the rocks in the surrounding area.

Immigration Sign since 2006

Don't leave valuables unattended.
That includes clothing and food.

Natural Arch...
It is hard to get a good photo.
Apx. 9'W x 8'H
N 31°52.215
W 110°01.010
Detailed information and measurements available

Prickly Pear Cactus

Butterfly same color as flower

Seed Pods

Windmill
N 31°51.309
W 110°00.149

Water Tank (Next to the Windmill)

Memorial (No name)

Beetle... kind of large sized

Big, red wasp on the car windshield.
It looked deadly, but minded his own business

BEAR FACTS

RATTLESNAKE FACTS
There is a rattlesnake that lives next to our
favorite camp. He just minds his own business,
almost a friend if that is possible...

COUNCIL ROCK:
Road##687K
(7 miles from Middle March Road)
There are a few faded pictographs
Balanced rocks capture attention.

COCHISE TRAIL #279
Road#687 for 10 miles to the end...

DIRECTIONS:
From Tombstone
About 1 mile north on Hwy.80
(Between milepost 315 - 316)
Turn east on Middle March Road.
Follow Middle March Road about 10 miles
You will see the sign pointing to the left.
Take Road#687(There are no markings)
You can see Cochise Stronghold as the
road winds it's way towards the base.

Middle March Road towards West Cochise Stronghold

Road#687

ROAD CONDITIONS:
Middle March Road is rough with lots
of washboards. There are several washes
that are subject to flash flooding. (Road
damage is usually repaired the next day)
Road#687 is more narrow and rough.
Not recommended for RV's

MAP
These are our personal hand drawn maps
Not guaranteed for accuracy

It snowed and bad weather.... November 30, 2009

Nov.29, 2006 - Wild turkeys ran through
the camp. Keep your eyes open for them.

Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone is famous for it's western history,
including the "Shootout at the OK Corral", with
Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp...

You will see cowboys hanging out on every
corner. They are promoting different shows
and events, kind of playing a role, but some
of them are real... their families have been
here for generations. You can hear stories
of about relatives that were captured by
Indians and rescued by the US Calvary...

Boothill Graveyard

Tombstone Cemetery

Tombstone Cemetery is on Allen Street
towards Schiefflin Monument.

Schiefflin Monument
(West Cochise Stronghold in the background)

SCHIEFFLIN MONUMENT
Ed Schiefflin
Died May 12, 1897
Age 49 and 8 months
Day Use Area Only. From Tombstone,
take Allen Street north for 2 miles

Old Ranch Houses near Schiefflin Monument

GLEESON, ARIZONA
From Tombstone take Hwy.80 southbound
Turn on N.Camino San Rafael
Turn right on Gleeson Road
Gleeson is about 13 miles

Rattlesnake Ranch

RATTLESNAKE RANCH
We expected a pit full of rattlesnakes and
some crazy person... instead we found a
museum in the middle of the desert.

Filtered water at the Circle K in Tombstone.

Water spigot and Shade Ramadas south of
Tombstone. You can see the West Cochise
Stronghold in the background.
N 31°42.255
W 110°03.155

There is a water spigot at the picnic area on
Hwy.80 south of Tombstone near MP 318.
Think it is connected to the city water lines.
The road is unmarked, keep an eye open for
the shade ramadas out in the desert brush
on the west side of Hwy.80. Water at the
southern most shade ramada (Turn left at
the old bathrooms).

Showers at Tombstone RV Park
Cost $5

Chiricahua National Monument

Also see: COCHISE STRONGHOLD
Also see: CHIRICAHUA
Also see: MESCAL
Also see: ORGAN PIPE CACTUS
Also see: TURKEY CREEK ROAD
Also see: WHITEWATER DRAW

Killer Bees?

In extreme dry weather, bees congregate
around water sources, such as a dog's water
bowl. Once attracted to such water sources...
good luck.

Karl Lalor... If your going to litter, don't leave
evidence with your name.

Above litterbugs arrived late at night and
set-up their tent in the middle of the road
blocking access to our camp. Very nice
people, but complete idiots.

Junked vehicle... then threw their garbage
on the ground when driving away.
(VIN numbers and such removed from vehicle)

Katy's Cache (Official Geocache #1)
There is a note pad to leave your name and thoughts.

The Boneyard
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is
home to thousands of outdated planes
and helicopters mothballed by the United
States Air Force and other allied forces. The
2,600 acre facility is the size of 1,300 football
pitches and sprawled across the desert in Tucson,
Arizona and houses the 309th Aerospace
Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)
This 60 year-old facility is America's only storehouse
for out-of-service aircraft.

Camped here Nov.29, 2006
We camped here numerous of times over
the years, but didn't keep records.
Camped here Feb. 20, 2009
It was more crowded than ever before.
In years past we would camp here and
might not see another person.
Camped here June 5, 2009
Camped here Nov. 30, 2009
It snowed with bad weather all week.
Camped here Jan. 26, 2010

Funny Clouds
(Feb. 25, 2009)

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dispersedcampgrounds.com
Free campgrounds and camping
ARIZONA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST
WEST COCHISE VALLEY TRAIL
COCHISE STRONGHOLD WEST