Summary: Part of the Coronado National Forest, this camping area and trail are a great getaway in the relatively mild climate of the higher elevations of the Dragoon Mountains.

At 5,000' altitude, the vegetation doesn't match that of the Sunsite, a local community just east of the Stronghold.

There's a spring that feeds a small stream that's accumulated in a pond that's dammed on one side by a contrived brick wall, lots of trees and vegetation, and the occasional cow wondering around.

The campground is comfortable and secluded, though devoid of any services including water. Just past the camping area is a nice trail with unusual rock formations along the way.

Features:
A nature trail, a hike though this hills and rock formations, camping, picnicking, bird watching, photography.

Area Attractions:
The area is an agricultural bread basket. You can find lots of fresh produce and pistachio farms along the way.

You can also find even more unusual rock formations east of hear in the Chiricahua National Monument.

There are plenty of ghost towns in the area. While Tombstone is the most famous, there are other towns left in their original condition. There are places you can pick up supplies to do a little of your own prospecting too. Rockhounding and mining are popular in this area, but I'm not sure which parts are BLM lands where you can stake claims or where you can go without getting shot.

Food & Sundries:
There's a small market in Sunsites that is surprisingly well stocked with food.

Directions:
From Tucson, take I-10 east 72 miles to US 191. Turn right (south) and drive 12 miles to Ironwood Road. Turn right (east) on Ironwood Road.
From Douglas, take US 80 two miles to US 191. Go north approximately 45 miles to Sunsites, then turn left (west) on Ironwood Road.

Continue on Ironwood Road (which becomes Forest Road 84 at the Forest boundary) for 8 miles to Cochise Stronghold Campground.

Local Towns:
Sunsites, Pearce, Willcox, Benson

Local Accommodations:
Sunsites, Pearce, Willcox, Benson

Camping & RV:
There are some nice spots here, but water's not available. A newspaper in Sunsite mentioned something about the Forest Service pulling resources out of Cochise Stronghold and letting Cochise Stronghold go. Don't let this stop you from camping here though, it's a great location.

Rockhounding and mining are popular in this area, but I'm not sure which parts are BLM lands where you can stake claims. Jessica Strong at Goldminer's RV Park in Sunsites knows quite a bit about minerals in this area. If you stay there you can talk to here about it, but if you do bring cash, they don't accept credit cards.