Coronado National Monument
Coronado National Monument was authorized and called International Memorial on August 18, 1941, before being re-designated on July 9, 1952, and established as a national monument on November 5, 1952. The national monument is managed by the National Park Service.
The Coronado National Memorial, which is within the Coronado National Monument’s protected land commemorates the first organized expedition, between 1540 and 1542, into the Southwest by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado who was a conquistador.Â
As such, the country's Hispanic heritage by the first European exploration of the Southwest is commemorated here and so is one of the historic ties that bind the United States and Mexico. Additionally, the memorial is on the international border on the southeast flank of the Huachuca Mountains south of Sierra Vista, Arizona.Â
Besides the historical significance of the park as mentioned above, the park is also a preserve diverse flora and fauna that are native to the Southwest. To access the park, visitors can use Interstate 10 east and exit south on Highway 90 from Phoenix or Tucson to Sierra Vista, then drive south along Highway 92 to Coronado Memorial Highway.
Once visitors get to the park, they will find 4,750 acres of land that is a favorite for visitors to not only enjoy the historical and natural attraction of the place but to also enjoy recreational activities like horseback riding, hiking, spelunking, bird-watching, and interpretive programs. Some of the conveniences that visitors can get to enjoy at the park include self-guided tours, restrooms, picnic area, visitor center, and a museum.
If you have a doggie, you can also bring them into Coronado National Monument although you may find that some restrictions prevent you from visiting all areas of the park with your dog. For example, the visitor center and all other park buildings are out-of-bounds to dogs. Additionally, dog owners will always need to keep their pooch on a leash in all other areas of the park that they want to visit.
