Chiricahua National Monument

Volunteers help with a school group activity.

A high school student volunteer and teacher volunteer work with a local school group during a hands-on activity.

A round pen at Faraway Ranch

This guest dining room used to be a screened in porch, and was converted to a dining room in the 1920s. The fireplace is made of stones carved by Buffalo Soldiers who were stationed in Bonita Canyon during the More

Emma bought a two room, picket style cabin in December, 1886. Neil's first job was to dig a well. He used the mud and stone from that 80 foot well to build a fort. Designed to protect his family from Apache att More

Another view of the Faraway Ranch house, looking north. Notice the lighter-colored one story part of the house on the left. That is probably the original cabin that Emma bought in 1886. It was later torn down.

Buffalo Soldiers in the 10th Cavalry made this monument to President Garfield in 1886, while they were stationed in Bonita Canyon. In the 1920s, Lillian and Ed Riggs dismantled the monument and turned the stone More

The log cabin Emma bought in 1888 was connected to the stone fort around 1899. Notice the two chimneys.

Neil Erickson built these stairs when he added on to the log cabin around 1899. Later, a gate was added at the top of the stairs, to help Lillian, who became mostly blind, to know where the edge of the steep stairs were.

Neil and Emma, and their children, Lillian, Ben, and Hildegard, lived in this cabin from 1888 to 1899, when they expanded by connecting the cabin to the stone fort. The expanded house was called the Box House.

This kitchen is part of the original 1899 addition Neil and Emma Erickson made to their log cabin. To the left is the doorway down to the cellar, the original "stone fort" the Ericksons built shortly after they More

Ben Erickson served in the Army during World War I. Public domain photograph of army uniform, military, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The living room was added in 1915, adjacent to the family dining room.

Enjoy the scenic view from Massai Point at the end of the scenic drive.

Enjoy the scenic views from various points while driving through the park.

A dead tree found along a trail in the park.

Many scenic view await you as you drive through the park.

Lillian and Hildegard Erickson bought the Stafford Cabin around 1917 and used it for guest accommodations at Faraway Ranch.

A relative of the raccoon, the coatimundi or white-nosed coati, live in wooded areas of the Americas. These omnivores easily climb trees but prefer ground foraging. Like its relative, the raccoon, coatis adapt More

A relative of the raccoon, the coatimundi or white-nosed coati, live in wooded areas of the Americas. These omnivores easily climb trees but prefer ground foraging. Like its relative, the raccoon, coatis adapt More

Neil Erickson wanders in front of the Garfield Fireplace in 1935.

The stop sign entering the campground in Chiricahua National Monument. Public domain photograph - park, sign, monument, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Emma and Neil celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1937.

This "Orientation Station" was designed by the well-known park architect Cecil Doty in the park's rustic architecture style. It hasn't changed much over the years, although windows and doors were added.

Twenty seven million years ago a volcanic eruption of immense proportions shook the land around Chiricahua National Monument. One thousand times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Turkey Cr More

Twenty seven million years ago a volcanic eruption of immense proportions shook the land around Chiricahua National Monument. One thousand times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Turkey Cr More

Twenty seven million years ago a volcanic eruption of immense proportions shook the land around Chiricahua National Monument. One thousand times greater than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Turkey Cr More

Not all women used sidesaddles. Often it was more practical for trail riding and ranch work to ride "astride."

A cowboy riding (probably) a mare (female horse) with a foal (baby horse) following.

Neil was in the Army during the Indian Wars, and is wearing his medal here in this portrait with his wife Emma.

An early portrait of Neil and Emma Erickson

Vintage decorations at Faraway Ranch. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Festive decorations Public domain photograph of restaurant tables, dinner, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Pinnacle Balanced Rock is one of the most famous rocks in the Heart of Rocks area. To see this balancing rock in person, be prepared for a strenuous hike of at least 7.3 miles (~12 kilometers) round trip. Brin More

Have you ever wondered what those highway says mean when they say "Do Not Enter if Flooded"? Park staff worked to help clear the road of gravel washed down by the flash flood.

The upstairs did not change much, with the exception of a long narrow addition of bathroom, hallway, sleeping porch, and a small office (accessed from the "Green Room (NPS storage)" above the new guest dining room.

Here is Neil working on his den/shop, a short distance from the ranch house. The den is now an exhibit building which is open when there are tours of the Faraway Ranch House.

Neil Erickson (far right) visited the remains of Fort Bowie, where he was stationed.

The Heart of Rocks area in Chiricahua National Monument offers unparalleled views of hundreds of rhyolite rock pinnacles. In the distance is Cochise Head, named for the impressive Chief Cochise of the Chiricahu More

Many visitors preferred riding horses instead of hiking to experience the rock pinnacles.

Emma Peterson came to the US from Sweden when she was 19 years old. Later she married Neil Erickson, another Swedish immigrant, and they homesteaded in Bonita Canyon. Their homestead later became known as Faraw More

The upstairs did not change much, except for the addition of a bathroom, sleeping porch, and small office (accessed through the "Green Room (NPS storage)," above the new guest dining room.

The Garfield Fireplace ready for the holidays.

Rhyolite Canyon Tuff is a volcanic rock formed from a massive volcanic eruption 27 million years ago. It is compressed ash.

This colorful sunset was seen at Massai Point.

Neil Erickson was a sergeant in the 4th Cavalry during the Indian Wars.

Lillian eventually became mostly blind and mostly deaf. She is seen here in the guest dining room, standing by the Garfield Fireplace.

Neil Erickson explored the Chiricahua Mountains by horseback. Here is is on his horse, George.

Trail rides were a popular way to explore the unique rocks of Chiricahua National Monument.

Neil Erickson worked as a United States Forest Service Forest Ranger at Walnut Canyon National Monument, before it became a National Park Service site.

Ed Riggs explored the Chiricahua Mountains before the monument was established.

Look how high the "high water mark" was in the campground.

Many people came to Faraway Ranch to explore Chiricahua National Monument by horseback.

Tents in what is now the Silver Spur Meadow.

Working on the Stafford Cabin in Bonita Canyon Public domain photograph of a cabin, log house, dwelling in National Park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Horseback riding was a popular pasttime for guests at Faraway Ranch.

Sisters Lillian (left) and Hildegard (right) Erickson ran Faraway Ranch together for a few years.

Chiricahua National Monument is open 24 hours/day, which means you can come for sunrise, and stay for sunset and star-gazing!

Lillian spent a lot of time with her horses and dogs.

In this view of the ranch house, still facing north, notice that it is closer to its current appearance.

Ben Erickson owned his own ranch close to Faraway. He sometimes visited his sister Lillian and her ranch foreman, Andy.

Lillian explored the old army fort where she was born.

Ja Hu Stafford was an early homesteader in Bonita Canyon. Later, his daughter Clara, managed their land.

Possibly Ja Hu Stafford and his family exploring the Chiricahua Mountains.

Horses played an important role in ranch life. Public domain photograph of a national park, horse riding, rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Governor Hunt (white suit) and photographer JJ Armstrong visited Faraway Ranch and explored the rock formations in the Chiricahua Mountains. Later Governor Hunt would advocate for the monument to be established.

Lights, garlands, and presents under the tree make Faraway Ranch festive for the holidays.

Emma and Neil Erickson (seated) with their children (standing), Lillian, Ben, and Hildegard.

The upstairs did not change much, except for the addition of a bathroom, sleeping porch, and small office (accessed through the "Green Room (NPS storage)," above the new guest dining room.

Faraway Ranch kept beef cattle. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ed Riggs showed Governor Hunt around the Wonderland of Rocks, in what would become Chiricahua National Monument.

Faraway Ranch was not only a guest ranch, but it was also a working cattle ranch.

The phases of the Stafford Cabin, according to Livingston's report.

The small (usually less than 2.5 in/6.35 cm) canyon tree frog (Hyla arenicolor) is known for its loud voice.

Landscape view of Fort Bowie National Historic Site taken in August 2005

This small natural bridge is at the end of the Natural Bridge Trail. Bridges are formed by water running underneath, and arches are formed by wind erosion.

A view of Big Balanced Rock and other rock formations found in the Heart of Rocks Loop. To see these impressive pinnacles, be prepared for a 7.3 mile (12 kilometer) round trip hike.

Chiricahua National Monument Public domain photograph of mountain range, national park, nature view, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A view of Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Chiricahua National Monument. The elevation is 7,310 feet (2228 meters).

Flash floods aren't just composed of water. Often sediments, trees, tree branches, rocks, and other debris are carried along by the rushing water.

Palmer agave Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Dense underbrush, Massai Nature Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Interior chaparral, Chiricahua National Monument Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Interior chaparral, Chiricahua National Monument Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Madrean evergreen woodland at Chiricahua National Monument

Underbrush, Massai Nature Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Red spotted toads are one of five amphibians found in Chiricahua National Monument.

Semidesert grasses and yucca plants Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Temperate forest, Chiricahua National Monument Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Hillside of semidesert grasses Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Temperate forest, Chiricahua National Monument Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The monument was established in 1924 to protect its extensive hoodoos, balancing rock, and other formations. The mountain range and park are named after the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians that at one time ro More

Snow covered rhyolite columns Public domain photograph of Canyon, mountains, national park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The monument was established in 1924 to protect its extensive hoodoos, balancing rock, and other formations. The mountain range and park are named after the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians that at one time ro More

Frosted pine Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Piñon pine needles with snow Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The monument was established in 1924 to protect its extensive hoodoos, balancing rock, and other formations. The mountain range and park are named after the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians that at one time ro More

Cowboy House entrance Public domain photograph of a cabin, log house, dwelling in National Park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The monument was established in 1924 to protect its extensive hoodoos, balancing rock, and other formations. The mountain range and park are named after the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians that at one time ro More

Neil's Den Public domain photograph of a cabin, log house, dwelling in National Park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description