Photo: hakkun / CC BY-SA 3.0

Trails 1,961 ft 1.02 mi moderate Unknown Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's 1.02-mile route features 8 mammal species and 30 bird varieties in profound solitude. Moderate difficulty and mild climate support year-round exploration of this quiet desert destination.

What to Pack for Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Desert terrain and venomous snakes, your pack for Hailstone needs a few specific items.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Hailstone, when conditions favor hiking and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 65/100, Hailstone offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
running — Trail running combines endurance with changing terrain and natural views.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.

Wildlife Safety at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Hailstone carries a danger score of 30/10, driven primarily by venomous snakes.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (188mi from city)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (32N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake are present in the Desert habitat around Hailstone.

Western Diamondback

Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Arizona Coral Snake

Red bands touch yellow bands, a key identifying feature.

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Biodiversity at Hailstone is shaped by the Desert terrain and Temperate climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (2)

Arizona sycamore — Arizona sycamore is a riparian tree with mottled white and tan exfoliating bark.
silverleaf oak — Silverleaf oak is an evergreen oak with narrow gray-green leaves.

Wildflowers (2)

alpine cancer-root — Alpine cancer-root is a leafless parasitic plant with reddish stems.
pinewoods geranium — Pinewoods geranium produces pink to lavender five-petaled flowers.

Shrubs (2)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
soaptree yucca — Soaptree yucca forms a tall flowering stalk above a rosette of sword-like leaves.

Other Plants (5)

Palmer's agave
Santa Rita Hedgehog Cactus
pointleaf manzanita
great mullein
silverleaf nightshade

Mammals (8)

White-tailed Deer — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.
Cliff Chipmunk — White eyebrow stripe contrasts with darker eye line.
Mexican Fox Squirrel — Long bushy tail edged in white.
Collared Peccary — Short legs and compact muscular body.
White-nosed Coati — Slender body with elongated snout.

Birds (30)

Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle
Steller's Jay — Blue body and wings
Ruddy Duck — Brown winter plumage
Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
Acorn Woodpecker — Red crown

Reptiles (12)

Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — Often shows dark crossbands and subtle patterning.
Mojave Rattlesnake — Black-and-white tail bands and prominent rattle.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Striped Plateau Lizard — Rough scales and compact build.
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Distinct black coloration on last portion of tail before rattle.

Amphibians (5)

Couch's Spadefoot
Great Plains Toad
Chiricahua Leopard Frog
Chihuahuan Green Toad
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (14)

White-lined Sphinx
Arizona Sister
Tonto Dancer
Blue Fungus Beetle
Echo Azure

Other Wildlife (2)

Tohono Vinegaroon
Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Blue-throated Mountain-gem (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Couch's Spadefoot (amphibian)
Palmer's agave (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Temperature and precipitation data for Hailstone help narrow down the ideal visit window.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 56.6°F

Annual precipitation: 21.7 in

With an average annual temperature of 56.6°F and 21.7 inches of precipitation, Hailstone has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 73°F, while winter lows drop to 41°F.

Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Consider avoiding: Aug.

Winter 41°

1.5"

Spring 55°

0.4"

Summer 73°

4.3"

Fall 60°

1.1"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	41°F	1.5 in
Feb	43°F	1.5 in
Mar	48°F	1.5 in
Apr	55°F	0.4 in
May	61°F	0.3 in
Jun	70°F	1.1 in
Jul	73°F	4.3 in
Aug	71°F	5.2 in
Sep	68°F	1.8 in
Oct	60°F	1.1 in
Nov	49°F	1.3 in
Dec	41°F	1.7 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 10.1 hours in winter to 14.2 hours in summer — a difference of 4.1 hours.

Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:24 PM

Winter: 7:10 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:10 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:37 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:24 PM Golden hour from 6:48 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:29 AM, Sunset 6:24 PM Golden hour from 5:52 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:00 AM, Sunset 6:24 PM Golden hour from 5:52 PM

Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 188 miles from Phoenix, Hailstone is a longer road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Phoenix (188 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $47.08 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 152.2 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (challenging).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: challenging (Moderate distance (1-2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Hailstone — the surrounding area has 12 more places to discover.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 1 rating means Excellent dark-sky site visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

Different seasons reveal different sides of Hailstone.

Nature at Hailstone follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 25 – November 15

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

The cultural landscape of Hailstone reflects the long presence of Chiricahua Apache on this land.

Territories

Chiricahua Apache

Languages

1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Chiricahua.

Chiricahua

Data from Native Land Digital

Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Hailstone sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Quaternary surficial deposits, undivided
Lithology: Major:{sand,silt,clay}
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 244
Unique Species: 101
Oldest: 358.9 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 124
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Geothermal, Silver, Copper, Gold, Lead, Zinc, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 2513
ESA Endangered: 61
ESA Threatened: 31
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 111°F (1932-08-23)
Record Low: -11°F (1962-01-11)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 52
Largest Fire: Horseshoe 2 (222,989.9 acres)
Most Recent: 9999
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: East Whitetail Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 1 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 2/100

Hailstone Trail, Chiricahua National Monument Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Hailstone.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (1.81 mi)