Bonita Canyon, Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, United States

Bonita Canyon is a box canyon on the western slope of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, at 5,360 feet (1,630 m) elevation. Its walls are capped with volcanic tuff outcroppings and enclose a valley about a quarter of a mile wide. Bonita Creek flows west along the northern wall, and the valley is covered with wild grasses, oak and Arizona cypress.

Bonita Canyon holds the Faraway Ranch Historic District, a preserved homestead within Chiricahua National Monument. The canyon became part of the monument, and the ranch buildings remain as the main historic site in the canyon, while the monument headquarters stands just outside in adjoining Madrone Canyon.

Apache people lived in these mountains for generations and shaped the land through their presence and knowledge of its resources. The canyon remains a place where their historical connection to the landscape is still felt.

There is a campground here with sites for different vehicle sizes, and you can stay in a tent or RV. It helps to arrive early in the day and check local conditions since weather and road access can change.

Jaguars have been spotted in Bonita Canyon, far north of the cats' usual range in Mexico and Central America. The canyon also shelters mountain lions, bobcats, black bears and mule deer among its oak and Arizona cypress.