Explore Biking, Birding, and Star-studded Skies in Cochise County, Arizona

Young Mountain Bikers in Brown Canyon. Image by Kirk Rasmussen

In southeast Arizona, Cochise County's dramatic elevation changes and great weather create the perfect conditions for real epic bike rides. It offers challenging mountain trails with steep climbs, miles of gravel roads racing through native grasslands, and ribbons of highway that connect character-rich towns. With wildlife aplenty, there are real birds of paradise here: broad-billed hummingbirds flashing brilliant turquoise, western tanagers bright as flame, and elegant trogons sporting iridescent green and rose-red. Over 400 species of birds migrate to and through Cochise County, bringing birding “life lists” alive with their myriad colors. 

Milky Way from Chiricahua National Monument. Image by Robert Gallucci

After a day of bicycles and binoculars, it’s time to kick back with a real local wine or cool craft brew under star-studded skies. With its black of night and lustrous star light, it is no wonder Cochise County has two International Dark Sky Parks: Kartchner Caverns State Park and Chiricahua National Monument. Both host real star parties where the public can join amateur astronomers (and their telescopes) to view our glittering galaxy. From bikes on the ground and birds in the Sky Islands, to the depths of the milky way – for your next adventure, GET REAL in Cochise County. 

Sponsored by Arizona Office of Tourism and Cochise County.