Sierra Vista Ranger District

Coronado Cave, in the Coronado National Memorial, can be explored with permission from the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center, nearby.

The Coronado National Memorial is named for the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco Vasquez Coronado, leader of the first major European expedition into the American Southwest. The Memorial is a national park located near the Mexican border in Montezuma Canyon.

The Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center and Museum displays paintings, armor and other exhibits relating to the expedition of Francisco Vasquez Coronado. It is at this location that Francisco Vasquez de Coronado began his expedition in 1540 in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. There is a video describing the expedition.

The park area of Coronado National Memorial is mainly oak woodland with a variety of plants and animals. The mountains and canyons contain abundant wildlife.

Virtually nothing remains of Hamburg, a mining community which once contained about 150 people. The town was named for the founder Henry Hamburg. The reason for the abandonment of the town is unkown.

The Huachuca ("Thunder") Mountains are adjacent to Sierra Vista, and part of the Coronado National Forest. More than 170 species of bird and wildlife are found in this range, which also has a long history of ranching and mining.

The Miller Peak Wilderness area was named for the highest peak in the Huachuca Mountains. This 20,190 acre section of the Coronado National Forest, covers the southern half of the Huachuca Mountains. A rugged area with sheer cliffs and deep canyons, Miller Peak Wilderness provides habitat for abundant wildlife. There are over 170 species of birds and 60 species of reptiles.

Montezuma Pass is part of the Coronado National Memorial, with a park overlook at has views into Mexico, the San Rafael Valley and San Pedro Valley. There are also trail heads into the numerous paths through the park.

Parker Canyon Lake, part of the Coronado National Forest just east of the Huachuca Mountains, is a 153-acre fishing lake. Stocks include trout, bass, bluegill, sunfish and catfish.

Ramsey Canyon Preserve is a 300-acre wildlife preserve situated on the eastern slope of the Huachuca Mountains at an elevation of 5,525 feet. Species include coati, white-tailed deer and javelina, as well as up to 14 species of hummingbirds present from April through September. The Preserve is owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy.