Flooding closes campground in Chiricahua National Monument | Environment

If you had plans to go camping at Bonita Canyon campground in the Chiricahua National Monument, you may want to rethink those plans.

Officials have closed the campgrounds until further notice, due to flooding from monsoon storms.  Almost an inch of rain was reported from the storms on July 23, resulting in a flood of the area and closing of Bonita Canyon Drive, the only roadway into the monument. 

Bonita Canyon Drive was cleared of debris from the July 23 storm and reopened on July 24, but due to saturated soils and the prediction of more rain this week and weekend, the closure stands.  The visitor center and all of the hiking trails remain open. 

Residents and visitors to the area are reminded that weather conditions can change quickly during the monsoon.  Areas that have experienced large wildfires, like Horseshoe II in 2011, have a heightened risk of flash flooding. 

Hikers in the area are encouraged to check weather conditions before beginning their hike and to pay attention to their surroundings.  The ground in a burned landscape can be slippery after a monsoon storm and mud and rockslides can be triggered as well with increased rainfall. 

For more information on hiking and camping conditions in the Chiricahua National Monument, contact the visitors center at (520) 824-3560 x 0.