Campground Overview:
Indian Bread Rocks is located south of the I-10, near Wilcox, AZ in the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness. Consisting of the rugged slopes of the Dos Cabezas Mountains, elevations range from 4,080 feet to 7,500 feet, allowing for a variety of plant and animal life, as well as excellent recreational opportunities. Visitors will find a diverse terrain consisting of steep mountain slopes, granite outcroppings and vegetated canyon floors. This rugged and remote environment provides a rich wilderness experience. The Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, rock scrambling and sightseeing. Sightseeing from the higher mountains and ridges offer outstanding long distance views of Sulphur Springs, San Simon Valley and numerous other mountain ranges.
Campsites:
Indian Bread Rocks is a popular site for RV campers traveling along the I-10 or those wishing to explore the surrounding area. Most of the campsites are undeveloped with dispersed locations available. There are vault toilets at the beginning of the road along with some trash cans and picnic tables. Now water is available,
Indian Bread Rocks Picnic Area is the access point to the Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness. The Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness consists of 11,700 acres and lies 20 miles east of Willcox and 7 miles south of Bowie, Arizona in Cochise County. From Bowie, travel south on Apache Pass Road then west on the dirt road leading to Happy Camp Canyon.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Dispersed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Safford |
Fishing: |
None |
Campground Website: |
Indian Bread Rocks |
Campground Map: |
N/A |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness designated in 1990, has a total of 11,700 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Arizona and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Sculpted with steep slopes and granite outcroppings, the rugged and remote Dos Cabezas Mountains rise in elevation from 4,080 feet to 7,587 feet on Government Peak, in the southeast corner. Seasonal waterfalls tumble down boulder-strewn Government Peak, creating pools that invite a dip. Two other peaks rise above 7,000 feet. From the high elevations, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding views of Sulphur Springs and San Simon Valleys and the faint outlines of numerous mountain ranges in the distance. Several springs attract an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, mountain lions, golden eagles, and bald eagles. The endangered peregrine falcon migrates through the area. In Buckeye Canyon the beautiful collared lizard suns itself on desert-hot rocks. Mountain shrub, desert shrub, and riparian vegetation cover the Wilderness. Average annual temperatures range from 40.9 to 73.5 degrees Fahrenheit, reaching as high as 95 in mid-summer and dropping as low as 27 degrees in mid-winter. This area also receives 14.18 inches of rainfall and 8.6 inches of snowfall, annually. There is a total of 4 miles of trail in Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness.
Fort Bowie National Historic Site was established by the California Volunteers in 1862 after a series of engagements between the California Column and the Chiricahua Apaches. The most violent of which was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. The fort was named in honor of Colonel George Washington Bowie commander of the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry who first established the fort. The first Fort Bowie resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent army post. In 1868, a second, more substantial Fort Bowie was built which included adobe barracks, houses, corrals, a trading post, and a hospital. The second Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards (460 m) to the east of the first site. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned in 1894.
The remains of Fort Bowie are carefully preserved, as are the adobe walls of various post buildings and the ruins of a Butterfield Stage Station. The site is located on the unpaved Apache Pass Road which can be accessed from Interstate 10 near Bowie, Arizona or from Arizona Highway 186 just north of the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument. Access to the ruins of Fort Bowie and the visitor center is via a 1.5-mile foot trail which begins at a parking area along Apache Pass Road. This trail to the old fort passes other historic sites such as Apache Spring, Siphon Canyon, the ruins of the Butterfield Stage Stop and Bascom’s Camp.
Chiricahua Wilderness is home to a fascinating diversity of both plant and animal life, as well as some of the Southwest’s most spectacular geology. Climaxed by 9,797 foot Chiricahua Peak, this 87,700-acre Wilderness covers the upper slopes and inner canyons of the largest mountain range in the “Sky Island” region. Here, you will find views international in scope set in an area that supports a variety of birds and other wildlife, some of which are more commonly thought of as denizens of subtropical habitats in Mexico or Central America. This natural cornucopia attracts nature lovers from all over the world. The sharp ridges, high peaks and deep canyons of the Chiricahuas once served as a home and refuge to Chiricahua Apaches led by Cochise and Geronimo. Later, the area attracted prospectors, loggers and ranchers searching to find fortune or a home with elbow room in America’s far corners. Today, the Chiricahua Wilderness with its extensive system of trails provides an opportunity for nature lovers to engage in a more gentle quest, one of self-renewal, inspiration and personal discovery.
Due to dense brush and timber growth, steep elevations, precipitous canyon walls, an undependable water supply few humans venture from the 13 established trails. Trailheads in Rucker Canyon, Turkey Creek and Cave Creek give easy access to the Wilderness, and the Morse Canyon Trail rewards hikers for their efforts with excellent views over some of the roughest country in southeastern Arizona
Chiricahua National Monument is truly one of the National Park Service’s hidden gems. If you are willing to drive the 37 miles to the park from the interstate, you will be surprised to discover a mountain wonderland of trees, charismatic wildlife, and amazing balanced rocks and towering pinnacles that make this place so awe-inspiring. Come explore, whether on foot on the miles of hiking trails or by vehicle along the scenic drive. The monument was established on April 18, 1924, to protect its extensive hoodoos and balancing rocks. The Faraway Ranch, which was owned at one time by Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson, is also preserved within the monument.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
