236: Massai Point PANORAMIC VIEWS of CHIRICAHUA National Monument (Southern Arizona Road Trip)

Happy Monday! This week we’re hiking a fascinating trail inside Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument, often referred to as the Wonderland of Rocks. Join me as we explore one of the best viewpoints in the park at Massai Point.
Massai Point is home to vast vistas, rich Chiricahua Apache history, and the crossroads of four diverse ecosystems. For hikers, this is the portal into "The Wonderland of Rocks," providing access to a network of trails that will take you through this otherworldly terrain. Located at the end of Bonita Canyon Drive with a parking area big enough for a couple dozen vehicles, the Massai Plateau provides some of the most iconic views in Chiricahua National Monument. Visitors can enjoy 360º views of Rhyolite Canyon, Cochise Head, and the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Massai Point Nature Trail loops around Massai Point, and while it is short at just under half a mile and 50 feet in elevation change, the terrain is uneven and rough in areas. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many trails and structures here in the 1930s and you’ll traverse some of the stone carved steps they laid here leading to incredible overlook views. The main highlight along this trail is Speaker’s Rock, a rustic amphitheater and platform built for the 1934 the Dedication Ceremony. This stunning amphitheater was formed where a natural depression had unobstructed views of the Wonderland of Rocks to the southwest: boulders were cleared and a series of paths constructed to a rock-walled seating area featuring cut stone seats, steps, and flagstone pavers with unparalleled hoodoo views.
For more information on this top thing to do inside Chiricahua National Monument, check out my full Massai Point travel guide blog post at:
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