Chiricahua National Monument, Nature reserve and International Dark Sky Park in Cochise County, Arizona.

Chiricahua National Monument protects the eroded remains of a volcanic eruption about 27 million years ago, when ash from the Turkey Creek Caldera hardened into rhyolitic tuff nearly 2,000 ft (610 m) deep. Wind and water cut the softer rock away, leaving pinnacles, columns and balanced boulders such as Duck on a Rock, Camel Rock and Kissing Rocks. Two layered stone walls frame a narrow sandy path, and a flat mushroom-shaped capstone sits atop a stacked column.

Chiricahua National Monument was established by President Calvin Coolidge under the Antiquities Act on April 18, 1924, and expanded by President Franklin Roosevelt on June 10, 1938. The Faraway Ranch within its boundaries was at one time owned by Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson. In 1980 ranger Paul Fugate vanished after leaving headquarters to check trails toward the newly acquired ranch, and no trace of him was found.

Faraway Ranch was owned at one time by Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson, and their ranch buildings are preserved inside the monument. The name Faraway Ranch comes from the Ericksons' daughter Lillian, who called the remote place "Faraway." The historic district covers roughly 80% of the monument and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 31, 2008.

Bonita Canyon Drive runs 8 miles (13 km) east from the visitor center to Massai Point, where several trails begin. About 17 miles (27 km) of trails cross the monument, including the Echo Canyon Loop and the route to Heart of Rocks. A free shuttle leaves the visitor center each morning at 9:00 for the Echo Canyon or Massai Point trailheads; hikers walk back on the trails.

The rock formations originated from volcanic ash deposits roughly 27 million years ago and were sculpted into natural art by erosion. These stones have remained stable enough over millions of years to keep their remarkable shapes intact.