Coronado National Memorial ⓘ

Among the many who joined and traveled with the Coronado Expedition, the entrada's namesake and leader is the most well known. However, the Captain General of the expedition that would bear his name was only a cog in the wheel of a much larger force. Huge numbers of enslaved people, Aztec/Mexica allies, servants, herders, tailors, cobblers, cooks, European soldiers, journeymen, and many others streamed into the indigenous villages of northern Mexico, the Southwest US, and the plains of the Midwest. The collective impact the group had on the region is palpable, especially with the benefit of 500 years of hindsight. Regardless, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was the designated leader of the expedition and with this responsibility came decisions that would effect the outcome of the entrada. Therefore, it is important to know the man who took the helm of this expedition into the northern reaches of contemporary Nueva España. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján was born to a noble family in Salamanca, Spain. His early history is somewhat uncertain, but he was thought to have been born in 1510. In 1535, Vázquez de Coronado - later to be referred to in English as Coronado - left Spain for Mesoamerica. He traveled with the entourage for Antonio de Mendoza , the new Viceroy, or governor, of New Spain. Vázquez de Coronado acquired an enormous estate from his marriage to Dona Beatiz, the daughter of colonial treasurer Alonso de Estrada, and was governor of Nueva Galicia by 1538. Despite his great fortune and status in Mexico, Vázquez de Coronado wanted to follow in the footsteps of other Spanish conquistadores, such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro González, both of whom conquered large civilizations (Aztec and Incan empires respectively). When the Franciscan Priest, fray Marcos de Niza , returned from an exploratory mission north (what is now northern New Mexico) with tales of wealthy and populous cities, Viceroy Mendoza began assembling an expedition to conquer and claim the civilization for Spain. The civilization was thought to be the rumored "Seven Cities of Gold", later referred to as Cíbola. When Mendoza commissioned Vázquez de Coronado to command the expedition to Cíbola, he accepted the mission, and on February 23, 1540, Vázquez de Coronado and the large expedition under his command pushed north from Compostela on Mexico’s west coast en route to the fabled golden cities.

Learn more about the Coronado Expedition to Cíbola and beyond The expedition was ultimately deemed a failure because it never found the Cities of Gold. Vázquez de Coronado, his dreams of fame and fortune shattered, finally returned to Mexico City in the spring of 1542. Although publicly scorned and discredited, he again resumed his position of governor of Nueva Galicia. He and his captains were subsequently called in to account for their actions during the quest, including the maltreatment of indigenous peoples. Ten years after his return, at the age of 42, he died in relative obscurity. In the wake of Coronado’s failure to find the Seven Cities of Gold, Spanish interest in the region dropped off. However, when it picked up 150 years later, the knowledge of the people and land that his expedition brought back set the template for later Spanish exploration and settlement of the Southwest. As the Eurafrican and native cultures met in the 1540s, they experienced not only conflict but also produced a new cultural fusion unique to the Southwest. As people from the Old and New Worlds were exposed to different religious beliefs and practices, languages and cultural values, agricultural products and cultivation, land tenure systems, and diseases these forces would profoundly change how they lived and died. All these life-changing events began with Coronado’s expedition through the Southwest nearly 500 years ago.

Such was the situation in 1536 when Cabeza de Vaca and three tattered companions, sole survivors of the shipwrecked Narvaez Expedition, arrived in Mexico City after eight years of wandering through what is now the American Southwest. Everyone listened intently to their story of an incredible land to the north comprised of seven "large cities, with streets lined with goldsmith shops, houses of many stories, and doorways studded with emeralds and turquoise!" Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico), was anxious to explore this new land to determine if the stories were true. In 1539, he sent Fray Marcos de Niza to find out. Esteban, an enslaved African who was familiar with the Indians’ languages and customs in the region, led Fray Marcos on his journey. Fray Marcos returned to Mexico City in the summer of 1539 with the news that Esteban and some of his companions had been killed at the Zuni Indian pueblo of Háwikuh, the reputed site of the prosperous civilization they had heard of. Marcos also claimed to have seen the Seven Cities of Gold and that it was bigger than Mexico City.

Though Fray Marcos' report was garbled and exaggerated, Viceroy Mendoza was convinced of the cities' existence. He promptly began planning an official expedition and chose his close friend, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, to lead it. Coronado had come to Mexico in 1535 and through his friendship with the viceroy and past successful missions, rapidly rose in status. After serving as a prominent member of the Mexico City council, he was appointed governor of the northern frontier province of New Galicia. On January 6, 1540, Mendoza commissioned him expedition commander and captain-general of all the lands he might discover and claim for Spain. The viceroy, however, counseled Coronado prior to his departure and cautioned him that the quest was to be a missionary undertaking, not one of military conquest.

Quickly organized, the expedition left Compostela, on Mexico's west coast, on February 23, 1540. Accompanying Coronado were Fray Marcos and eight other priests, over 300 Spanish soldiers, over 1200 indigenous allies, and 1,500 stock animals. Additional supplies for the expedition were sent north by ship under the command of Captain Hernando de Alarcón. After reaching Culiacán, Coronado and 100 soldiers, anxious to behold Cibola, marched swiftly ahead of the slower-moving main army.

On July 7, 1540, they arrived at Háwikuh, south of present-day Gallup, New Mexico, and first of the fabled Cities of Cibola. But a major disappointment awaited the Spaniards. Instead of a golden city, they saw only a rock-masonry pueblo occupied by Indians who were prepared to defend their village. After several unsuccessful attempts at a peaceful negotiation, the Spaniards attacked and forced the Indians to abandon the village. The pueblo, well-stocked with much needed food, became Coronado's headquarters through November. Fray Marcos, whose tales had raised so many hopes of wealth and fortune, was ordered back to Mexico City amidst a rising tide of anger and bitter resentment.

US National Archives and Smithsonian Institute. Photographer Timothy H. O'Sullivan, 1873. Public Domain.

While at H á wikuh, Coronado sent his captains out to explore the surrounding region. Don Pedro de Tovar and his troops reached the Hopi Indian villages in northeastern Arizona while Garcia L ó pez de C á rdenas and his men traveled as far west as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. A third captain, Hernando de Alvarado marched eastward past Acoma and Tiguex pueblos to Cicuye (Pecos) pueblo, near modern-day Santa Fe. It was here that they met "The Turk," a Plains Indian who astounded them with his tales of an unbelievably rich land further to the east, called Quivira. The Turk's stories renewed hopes among the Spaniards of finding the great wealth that had thus far eluded them, however, with winter approaching, further exploration had to wait until spring. The army wintered at Tiguex with the seemingly friendly inhabitants. However, the Indians' mood soon turned to open hostility when violations of hospitality and friendship were commited by the Spaniards. A series of battles followed, resulting in the Spaniards killing the occupants of one pueblo and forcing the abandonment of several others.

On April 23, 1541, the entire army set out for Quivira, guided by The Turk. After 40 long days of travel, Coronado sent most of his men back to Tiguex and continued marching northeast with a small detachment. Upon arriving at Quivira, near modern-day Salina, Kansas, they were disillusioned once again. While the agricultural civilization of the Wichita Indians was a flourishing society, their homes were thatched-roof houses, and they did not have gold or other treasures the conquistadors were hoping to find. Believing The Turk had lied to them, the Spanish tortured and killed him. Whether he had been purposely deceitful is a matter of debate amongst historians, and there is reason to believe misunderstandings had arisen because of faulty translations between the parties. In any case, Coronado and his men had had enough. They soon began their long grueling return march back home, mired in bitter disappointment at having failed in their mission.”

Although the answer would seem to be straightforward, the exact number and names of many people on the expedition are unknown. We have a great deal of information about some of its participants but very little information about others. There is ongoing historical research to fill in the gaps about the participants and their motivations for joining the expedition.

Scholars estimate there were a total of about 2800 people on this expedition, but the expeditionaries were motivated to join for different reasons.

We have a great deal of information on the 390 European conquistadors about whom much has been written. The Spaniards tended to come from the poorer parts of the country and had limited life prospects in the Old World. The discovery of the New World offered them the hope of a better life. Also, these men-at-arms came not just from Spain but also from Portugal, Germany, France, England, Scotland, Corsica, Italy, Greece, and Crete.

There were two reasons they undertook the journey. The main reason was to find the Seven Cities of Gold. Due to reports by members of Cabeza de Vaca’s journey and a later confirmation by Fray Marcos de Niza, it seemed certain that rumors of wealthy cities in the north were true. Moreover, on the heels of the conquests of the Aztec and Incan empires—both of which had a lot of gold—the conquistadors felt sure a similar civilization lay to the north as well.

The conquistadors were also hoping to find a population that could be used in a land tenure system called the encomienda. In that system, the King of Spain granted to successful conquistadors the title to tracts of land and the right to rule over the people who lived there. In return for providing the people military protection and religious instruction, the encomendero (landowner) would receive tribute in the form of labor from the people. This system ensured that successful conquistadors could live lives of leisure after their conquests.

While the conquistadors have typically been thought of as being Spanish, perhaps the most significant but unknown group on the expedition were the Indian conquistadors the Spanish called “Indios amigos.” In fact, there were probably about 1300-2000 of these indigenous conquistadors—far outnumbering the European contingent described above. Coming from central Mexican tribes that the Spanish had recently conquered, these “Indian allies” voluntarily joined the expedition because their societies emphasized proving oneself in battle as a crucial rite of passage to manhood. Joining the expedition gave them the chance to do that, and they played a crucial role in the fighting that took place on the journey. There is comparatively little information about them because the Spanish did not keep accurate records about them and their societies did not keep written accounts of their experiences (although there are depictions of them joining the expedition on pictorial manuscripts their societies kept).

There were also those who joined the Coronado Expedition for religious reasons. In addition to Fray Marcos, who initially guided the expedition, there were eight other ecclesiastics. In his reconnaissance report confirming the existence of the Seven Cities of Gold, Fray Marcos claimed Cibola was the size of Mexico City, and so the clergy hoped to find many souls to save there.

While the European and indigenous soldiers and clergy joined the expedition voluntarily, there were many more who joined involuntarily and who may be undercounted. For instance, while there are four women documented on the journey who went with their husbands, there were almost certainly many more who joined but were not included in the records. Children, too, went along with their parents. Servants and enslaved Africans joined because they were forced to by their employers or owners. Many of these people were not considered important enough to provide detailed information about their backgrounds or reasons for joining the expedition. We also do not know how they felt while undertaking the journey.

For detailed information on the background and motivations of four important figures involved in the Coronado Expedition, see the profiles below.

Due to the passage of time and the lack of archaeological evidence, the entire route of the Coronado Expedition is not known. However, historians and archaeologists have been able to find some sites and reconstruct portions of the route they took by using journals and reports from the expedition and trying to locate sites that would be fruitful for doing archeological digs. There are several challenges in undertaking this task.

First, the names of places change over time, and the names given by the Spanish chroniclers may not match up with the name of a place today. For example, the Spanish, using a name they heard from Indians, referred to a river they called the Rio Nexpa. It may refer to the San Pedro River today, but we are not certain. There is the related problem of some places that were prominent 500 years ago but are nonexistent today. Also, features of the land may change over the centuries. For instance, places the Spanish may have used as sources of water may dry up, either because of a changing climate or because of the depletion of an aquifer.

While it is not easy to locate Coronado Expedition locations, new sites are being discovered. The Tucson-based archaeologist Dr. Deni Seymour believes she has located two important Coronado sites in southern Arizona, as well as a host of smaller sites. These findings are redrawing the map of Coronado’s route.

Don Antonio de Mendoza was the first viceroy (governor) of Nueva España. He first came to the Americas from Spain on the orders of King Charles V in 1535. Among his entourage was a young, ambitious Francisco Vázquez de Coronado . Mendoza played a pivotal role in the Coronado Entrada. As the King's offical envoy in the Americas, Mendoza not only approved the formation of the expedition to the north and oversaw its organization, but backed an earlier scouting expedition to modern-day New Mexico led by fray Marcos de Niza and Esteban de Dorantes to confirm rumors of wealthy cities to Tierra Nueva 1 . Mendoza also handpicked Vázquez de Coronado to lead the entrada instead of the experienced and powerful Hernán Cortés, a political move that infuriated Cortés. In retrospect, one of the major contributions from Mendoza to historians today was the alarde (muster roll) of the expedition. This was a formal inventory of Europeans on the journey and what they brought with them (he may have also reviewed the native allies that joined the entrada, but if he did no documentation survives or has yet to be found 2 ). The alarde is important for a number of reasons. It was the first review of an entrada of its kind by a Spanish administration, providing an insight into the organization and logistics of such a massive undertaking. It gives us names of all 289 European "men-at-arms" and a brief list of their possessions (weapons and armor); a facincating peek into the 1540 military expedition. The alarde is also, in coarse terms, a sort of artifact list for today's archaeologists. When the entrada returned from the north with no wealth in tow (or large civilizations conquered), Mendoza was nearly ruined financially. He reportedly lost 60,000 pesos and as late as 1545 still claimed to be in debt from being one of the four large financial backers of the entrada 3 . Mendoza, however, was not defeated by the failure of the expedition as perhaps was Vázquez de Coronado. He went on to serve as viceroy of Peru in 1550, and died soon after in 1552. 1 Richard Flint, Great Cruelties Have Been Reported , New Mexico, 2002, p554-55 2 Richard Flint, No Conquest, No Settlement , New Mexico, 2008, p75 3 Richard Flint, Great Cruelties Have Been Reported , New Mexico, 2002, p555

Mendoza chose Fray Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan friar in his 40s, to head a scouting party north before sending the bulk of the expedition. His superior noted that Marcos was a pious priest, familiar with cosmography and navigation, and, having been present at Francisco Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca Empire, possessed the fortitude to lead an exploratory expedition. The Viceroy appointed Esteban, an enslaved African who did not have the power that the free Spaniards had to refuse the Viceroy, to guide Fray Marcos. Esteban was chosen because he was the fourth survivor of the Cabeza de Vaca Expedition, so he was familiar with the area’s Indian cultures and languages.

On March 7, 1539, Marcos left the northern outpost of Culiacán with Esteban and over 100 natives. When they reached the town of Vacapa, Marcos sent Esteban to scout ahead, giving him instructions to send back crosses indicating he had found something important, with the size of the cross corresponding to the importance of the find. When Esteban soon sent back a cross as large as a man, Marcos hurried to see what the excitement was about.

In late May, however, two of the Indians who had gone with Esteban returned to Marcos, bloody and distraught. They reported that Esteban and many of his Indian companions had been killed at the Zuni pueblo of Háwikuh, the reputed site of one of the Seven Cities of Gold. Scholars have been debating what happened next ever since.

Marcos claimed that he continued his journey and viewed Háwikuh from a distance but that he did not approach and try to enter it. While he did not mention gold in his report, he nonetheless described the village in glowing terms, twice referring to its ‘excellence’, calling it the “grandest and best of all discovered”, and saying it was as big as Mexico City. Crucially, once he returned to Mexico City and gave the Viceroy his report, he also did nothing to quell—and may even have played a part in starting—rumors that there was gold at Háwikuh.

His report was enough to provide the impetus for Coronado’s expedition the following year, and Fray Marcos was tasked with guiding it. However, as the journey went on, Coronado and the others found increasing discrepancies between Marcos’s description of the land they were marching through and the reality. Finally, when they reached Háwikuh and found that it was neither a huge metropolis nor wealthy, they became enraged at Marcos. Coronado sent him back to Mexico City under an escort for having lied to them—a punishment which probably also saved Marcos from the wrath of the other expeditionaries. When he returned to Mexico City, he obtained a high position in the Franciscan order, but his expeditionary days were over. He died in 1558.

Did Marcos lie in his report to the Viceroy? Scholars have been debating this question ever since, with some claiming he did in fact see Háwikuh from a distance as he claimed, while others believe he never came anywhere near it. Whichever the case, his report clearly generated a lot of interest in Mexico City for sending the Coronado Expedition in 1540 to find (and presumably conquer) the Seven Cities of Gold.

Several National Park Service sites have established "sister park" relationships with national parks in other countries.

In 2003, El Chico National Park , located in the state of Hidalgo, became our newest sister park. Noteworthy are the towering cliffs known as Las Ventanas and Peña del Cuervo representing splendid natural viewpoints, and ideal places to practice mountaineering. Among the animals that inhabit the forest are: gray fox, ringtail, opossums, armadillos, falcons, hawks, woodpeckers, salamanders, chameleons and mountain rattlesnakes.

The park also lends itself to the research of flora and fauna. The park encompasses a number of diverse ecosystems ideal for all kinds of studies related to nature history.

· To meet annually at one of the parks on a rotating basis to continue the orientation of new employees and exchange of experiences between personnel in such topics as: the development of conservation strategies, resource management, research, protection, and education. These meetings may include other cooperators and partners as appropriate. More frequent meetings will occur with specific staff members as needed to complete specific projects.

· To provide mutual assistance with planning efforts related to management, development, and operations.

· To expand scientific knowledge of all three areas through cooperative research projects.

· To cross-train staffs in a variety of disciplines, including such topics as: resource protection and investigation skills and operations to promote safety and resource preservation, special status species, fire management, and environmental education. Explore the loan of employees on details to other areas where appropriate for professional development and to provide assistance.

· To develop environmental education and training programs for all areas and local communities wherever possible to promote public awareness, understanding, and participation in conservation and the sustainable use of border resources.

· To be alert for joint opportunities and creative in finding ways to accomplish these. Don’t hesitate to bring in other cooperators. Support and encourage each other.

When Francisco Vásquez de Coronado came through southeastern Arizona during his quest for Cibola , he was unaware of the riches surrounding him on every side. There were gilded grasslands, flanked by mountains streaked with minerals. They were probably following one of the rarest riches of all in the Southwest – a perennial river. Much later, biological treasures would be discovered in the rocky, wooded memorial set aside to commemorate his epic expedition. Located at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico , the memorial at every turn shows the influences of its neighbor to the south. Gregarious Mexican jays flock to the picnic area. The Lucifer hummingbird, a distinct Mexican species, makes rare summer appearances at only a few places in the United States , among them Coronado National Memorial. Lucky visitors might spy a band of coatimundis, warm-climate relatives of the raccoon and ringtail cat. And after the first heavy summer rains, male barking frogs, a tropical species, can be heard from the rock outcroppings.

Learn about the cave and karst features in the park, including the largest cave in the park, Coronado Cave.

A look at distribution maps of several animal classes – reptiles, birds, and mammals, for example – shows Coronado sitting at the center of a unique biological vortex. Here, four major biological provinces intersect: the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, and the Sierra Madre and Rocky Mountains . The result is an ecological melting pot where species richness is much greater than it would be within one province alone. Some of that richness includes a dozen species of hummingbirds, the coati, javelina, and many reptiles – among them incredible animals like the female whiptail lizard that reproduces without the need of males! At night, the grasslands hum with the scurryings and diggings of an abundant assortment of mammals – pygmy mice, pocket mice, grasshopper mice, harvest mice, deer mice, kangaroo rats, woodrats, skunks, coyotes, and ringtails. White-tailed deer, Montezuma quail, whiskered screech owls, and cottontail rabbits are common denizens of the oak woodlands and piñon–juniper forests.

Coronado National Memorial is well known for its wide variety of birds, with different species being sighted each season of the year. More than 190 species have been recorded, including more than 50 resident birds. Among those often seen in the park are the Acorn Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Spotted Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Hepatic Tanager, and many species of flycatchers and hummingbirds depending on the time of year. Species that occur regularly in the park but are not geographically widespread in the United States (or are low in numbers elsewhere) are the Montezuma Quail, Whiskered Screech Owl, Painted Redstart, Lucifer Hummingbird, and Arizona Woodpecker. To see an even larger variety of birds in the park plan your visit during the spring or fall migrations. Visit our Birding page for a bird checklist and more info. In the spring, birds such as warblers, hummingbirds, and shorebirds are beginning to migrate from their wintering grounds south of the memorial to their breeding grounds in the north. While some of these birds are just passing through, many species of neo-tropical songbirds stop here for the summer breeding season like the Painted Redstart, Plumbeous Vireo, Scott's and Bullock's Orioles, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Ash-throated and Dusky-capped Flycatchers. Of the breeding birds, the males typically arrive first to establish their territories. They begin by looking for areas with good food, water, and cover. Then they travel around their new homes singing and displaying their beautiful colors to warn off other males and to attract a mate for the summer. The females arrive after the males have claimed their areas and begin looking for the male with the best song, most attractive coloration, and the best territory. They then pair up for the season to raise their young. As fall approaches, our summer breeders begin to leave for warmer lands where they will spend the winter while a new set of birds like the Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red-naped Sapsucker, White-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Harrier, and Sharp-shinned Hawk begin to arrive. Some of these birds just rest here awhile on their way to their wintering grounds, while others will stay the winter here with us. The birds that winter here exhibit different behavior than our summer breeders. Instead of being in pairs like they are in the summer, many species flock together in the winter to find food resources and as a defense against predators. Volunteer Alan Blixt recalls "I saw a Cooper's Hawk take a Northern Flicker to the ground once. Several of the Mexican Jays, flocking with the flicker, attacked the hawk and it released the flicker to flee for its own life." Mixed flocking is beneficial to the older and younger birds in different ways. By joining a flock of older birds the youngsters can follow them to learn where resources, like food and water, are located in their territory. In return, the older birds gain an extra layer of defense by keeping the young birds on the edges of the flock where raptors such as our resident Cooper's Hawk and the Sharp-shinned Hawk that spends the winter with us are more likely to strike. As winter comes to an end, so do these mixed flocks as the birds return to their more solitary ways and begin to think about returning to their breeding grounds. Keep an eye out for a variety of unique bird species and behaviors during the fall and spring migrations, whether you are able to visit the park or just spend some time bird watching in your backyard or local park.

Did you know we have a hiker shuttle? Leave your vehicle at the visitor center and catch a ride up to Montezuma Pass to hike 3 miles back to your vehicle. Check out the hiker shuttle schedule on our Calendar . The shuttle typically operates a few days a week November - April.

Trail Guide With over eight miles of hiking trails, Coronado National Memorial is a great place to explore the outdoors. From grasslands and oak woodlands to piñon and juniper pine forests, the park offers a variety of experiences. Be sure to carry plenty of water and wear protection against the sun. With the exception of the Crest Trail, pets are not allowed on trails in the park and must be leashed at all times . 0 0 1 60 348 Coronado National Memorial 2 1 407 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

The well constructed trail leading to Coronado Cave NPS Photo 0 0 1 99 570 Coronado National Memorial 4 1 668 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE Coronado Cave Trail 1 mile/1.4 km round-trip Difficulty: Moderate Elevation change: 500 ft/150 m The trailhead is located .25 mile/.4 km west of the visitor center. See the Coronado Cave page for more about the cave. The entrance to the cave is .5 mile from the trailhead and requires scrambling 25 feet down a rocky slope to the cave floor. The cave interior extends 600 feet in length, with 20 foot high ceilings. Those planning to explore the limestone cave should bring at least two sources of light per person. Please review regulations at cave entrance before entering the cave.

Ramada on Coronado Peak, views of US/Mexico NPS Photo 0 0 1 49 285 Coronado National Memorial 2 1 333 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE Coronado Peak Trail 0.8 miles/1.3 km round-trip Difficulty: Easy Elevation change: 300 ft/90 m This interpretive trail climbs from the trailhead at Montezuma Pass to Coronado Peak. The sweeping views of Sonora, Mexico and the San Pedro River and San Rafael Valleys can be enjoyed while resting on the benches under a shade ramada. Learn more about the journey of the Coronado Expedition, the native peoples that lived in this area, and about the flora and fauna of this geographically unique area.

View of Sierra San Jose (Mexico) in the distance and Smugglers Ridge (US) NPS Photo/D. Bly Joe's Canyon Trail 6.2 miles/10 km round-trip Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Elevation change: 1300 ft/400 m From the trailhead near the picnic area turnoff, 500 ft/150 m from west of the visitor center, the trail climbs about 1000 ft/300 m in the first mile with scenic views of Montezuma Canyon and the San Pedro River Valley. After reaching the saddle at the top of Smuggler's Ridge, the trail continues westward with southerly views deep into the grasslands of Sonora, Mexico. Trail can also be done in reverse starting at Montezuma Pass via the Coronado Peak Trail.

Border Monument 102 marks the US-Mexico border and is the southern terminus of the Yaqui Ridge Trail and the Arizona Trail. NPS Photo/C. Bentley 0 0 1 74 423 Coronado National Memorial 3 1 496 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE Yaqui Ridge Trail 2 miles/3.2 km round-trip Difficulty: Difficult Elevation change: 600 ft/180 m A spur from the Joe’s Canyon Trail, the trail descends steeply to the US/Mexico border. One must hike 1 mile from Montezuma Pass along the Joe's Canyon Trail to reach the Yaqui Ridge spur, making the total length 4 miles round-trip from the Pass. Here you can view International Boundary Marker 102 located at the southwestern corner of the park as well as a short section of the border wall. This trail marks the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail , an 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail that extends from Mexico to Utah. For your safety, please do not cross over fence into Mexico.

The Crest Trail climbs high into the northwest corner of the park, offering sweeping vistas of Montezuma Peak and the valley NPS Photo Crest Trail 4 miles/6.4 km to Coronado NMem northern boundary, round-trip (5.3 miles one way to Miller Peak) Difficulty: Difficult Elevation change: Approximately 4000 ft/1200 m to Miller Peak. The trailhead begins at the northeast end of the Montezuma Pass parking area and climbs for 2 miles to the northwestern boundary of the park where it enters Coronado National Forest. It continues along the crest of the Huachuca Mountains to the turnoff for Miller Peak, the highest peak in the range.

Winding through the tall grass and oaks, the Windmill Trail takes hikers near an historic corral and windmill. NPS Photo Windmill Trail 2 miles / 3.2 km roundtrip Difficulty: Easy / Moderate Elevation change: approx. 200 ft / 60 m The trailhead is located about 1 mile / 1.6 km east of the visitor center. Park on north side of park road near fire danger indicator sign.

Arizona Trail Association Arizona National Scenic Trail Joe's Canyon Trail and the Coronado Peak Trail are both part of the National Trails System and classified as National Recreational Trails. The Yaqui Ridge and Crest Trails are part of the larger Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) which stretches just over 800 miles from the Arizona-Mexico border at Coronado National Memorial to the Arizona-Utah border. Please do not harm or disturb any plants or animals, as all flora and fauna found in the park is protected by federal law. Wood gathering and hunting are not permitted within the park.

Earn your Coronado National Memorial Climb and Explore / Escala y Explora pin by hiking at the park NPS Photo Climb & Explore / Escala y Explora: Earn a commemorative pin by hiking at Coronado National Memorial! Hiking is a great way to exercise while exploring the lush oak woodlands and dramatic terrain of Coronado National Memorial. The I Hike for Health program is a hiking challenge you can attempt on your own or with your friends and family. Stop into the visitor center to learn about the challenge and to earn your reward - a Coronado National Memorial pin - while hiking some of the most beautiful trails in southeast Arizona. To qualify for the award, hikers must: Hike a minimum of 3 miles / 5 kilometers in the park. Take a photo or selfie of themselves on each trail hiked and present the pictures to park staff at the visitor center. Please, only one pin per person.

2 miles / 3.2 km roundtrip Difficulty: Easy / Moderate Elevation change: approx. 200 ft / 60 m The trailhead is located about 1 mile / 1.6 km east of the visitor center. Park on north side of park road near fire danger indicator sign. Once a two-track ranch road, the Windmill Trail provides access to the grasslands region of the park. The trail visits an historic windmill and corral before gently ascending into the foothills below Montezuma Peak. This trail also provides access to grassland habitat birding opportunities. Trailhead parking is located along the park road just east of Windmill Road in the pullout next the fire danger sign. Walk to Windmill Road and follow to the gate. To the left (west) of the gate you'll find pedestrian access through the fence.