Campgrounds 4,730 ft Bortle 2 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Half Moon Ranch is a ranch style house located in East Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains of the Coronado National Forest, approximately 1-1/2 hours east of Tucson. The house is situated in a dramatic canyon that provides excellent rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities. Recreation The area around Half Moon ranch has long been considered a bouldering and rock climbing paradise, boasting backcountry and protected routes ranging from one to seven pitches in length, and from 5.6 to 5.12 in difficulty. Most approaches are 30-60 minutes in length, although there are a number of known areas that are easily accessible from the roads. In addition, the nearby Cochise Stronghold Campground has interpretive tales for both natural and cultural resources and history. Facilities Half Moon Ranch is a seven-room ranch style house, suitable for groups of up to 9 people. The house has two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen. The master bedroom has a queen-size bed; the second bedroom has two beds, a twin and full. The living room contains two double futons, rocking chairs, and a wood stove (firewood not provided). The dining room has a table and chairs that seats six. A small dinette set with seating for four is located in the kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave and refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, & coffee machine. The house has electricity and running water. Outside, guests will enjoy using picnic table for outdoor dining. The Forest Service is unable to provide firewood at this time. Please note that the indoor fireplace is not maintained for use. Although the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests do need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Although electricity is available, it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies. A barn and corrals are located to the east of the main house. There is a covered storage area for hay as well. Up to six horses/mules are permitted in the corrals, and feed must be certified weed-free. Natural Features Half Moon Ranch is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Dragoon Mountains and Cochise Stronghold. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the sparsely wooded area is a protective rampart of granite spires, sheer cliffs, and balanced rocks and boulders which were once the refuge of the Apache Chief, Cochise. The ranch house lies in a mountain range or "sky island" in the Coronado National Forest, rising dramatically from the desert floor and supporting abundant and biologically diverse plant and animal communities. Nearby Attractions The Half Moon Ranch is located approximately 9 miles west of Sunsites, Arizona. Attractions in the area include the Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, the Amerind Foundation, the ghost towns of Gleeson, Dos Cabezas, and Courtland, and the Willcox Playa.

Near Dragoon, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

Pack for Desert terrain, Temperate, and the wildlife considerations above.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Whether you're here for backpacking or looking to try something different, Half Moon Ranch has options.

Photographers rate this area 60/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 2 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

backpacking — Carry your gear into the backcountry for multi-day hiking adventures.
bouldering — Climb short rock formations without ropes, focusing on strength and technique.
camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
glamping — Enjoy nature with upgraded comforts like furnished tents or cabins.
horseback_riding — Explore trails and open landscapes from the saddle.
ice_fishing — Drill through frozen lakes to fish beneath the ice during winter.
ice_skating — Glide across frozen ponds or maintained outdoor rinks during winter months.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
rock_climbing — Ascend vertical rock faces using ropes, harnesses, and protective gear.
rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
scuba_diving — Explore underwater environments in oceans, lakes, or springs using scuba gear.
sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
snorkeling — Swim at the surface with a mask and snorkel to observe marine life below.
stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

Most visitors at Half Moon Ranch never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 30/10 means preparation matters.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (161mi from city)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (32N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 60/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
2 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake. They're most active during warm months.

Western Diamondback

A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.

Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.

Arizona Coral Snake

A small slender snake with red, yellow, and black rings around the body.

Keep the victim calm and still while awaiting treatment.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The Desert environment here supports 43 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Trees (1)

Emory oak — Emory oak is an evergreen oak with thick elongated leaves.

Shrubs (4)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
evergreen sumac — Leaves are thick and leathery.
soaptree yucca — Soaptree yucca forms a tall flowering stalk above a rosette of sword-like leaves.

Other Plants (5)

fishhook barrel cactus
ocotillo
Palmer's agave
Banana Yucca
Wheeler sotol

Mammals (2)

White-tailed Deer — Reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter with a bright white underside to the tail.
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail.

Birds (30)

Brewer's Blackbird — Glossy black male with pale eye
Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch
Sandhill Crane — Tall gray body
Chipping Sparrow — Rusty cap
Yellow-headed Blackbird — Black body

Reptiles (11)

Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — A medium-sized lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloring.
Mojave Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with diamond blotches and greenish tint.
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — A stout rattlesnake with olive or yellowish body and dark tail.
Greater Earless Lizard — A small lizard lacking visible external ear openings.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches.

Amphibians (1)

Couch's Spadefoot

Insects (4)

Pipevine Swallowtail
Arizona Mantis
Vella fallax
White-lined Sphinx

Nature Bingo at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Black-headed Grosbeak (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Couch's Spadefoot (amphibian)
fishhook barrel cactus (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The annual average temperature here is 61.2°F, with 20 inches of precipitation.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 61.2°F

Annual precipitation: 20 in

With an average annual temperature of 61.2°F and 20 inches of precipitation, Half Moon Ranch has warm, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 77°F, while winter lows drop to 45°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.

Winter 45°

2.0"

Spring 59°

0.3"

Summer 77°

3.6"

Fall 64°

1.4"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	45°F	2.0 in
Feb	48°F	1.7 in
Mar	53°F	1.3 in
Apr	59°F	0.3 in
May	67°F	0.4 in
Jun	76°F	0.7 in
Jul	77°F	3.6 in
Aug	76°F	3.5 in
Sep	72°F	1.8 in
Oct	64°F	1.4 in
Nov	53°F	1.4 in
Dec	45°F	1.9 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 10.1 hours in winter to 14.2 hours in summer — a difference of 4.1 hours.

Summer: 5:13 AM – 7:26 PM

Winter: 7:12 AM – 5:17 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:12 AM, Sunset 5:17 PM Golden hour from 4:40 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:13 AM, Sunset 7:26 PM Golden hour from 6:50 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:31 AM, Sunset 6:27 PM Golden hour from 5:54 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:02 AM, Sunset 6:27 PM Golden hour from 5:55 PM

Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Half Moon Ranch.

Half Moon Ranch is 161 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.

Nearest city: Phoenix (161 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $40.27 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 130.2 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

The area around Half Moon Ranch has plenty more to offer.

If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Half Moon Ranch.

Nearby Campgrounds

Shaw House Cabin Rental Campground (NW, 17mi), Cochise 1.11 mi
Shaw House Campground, Cochise 1.11 mi
Cochise Stronghold Campground, Cochise 1.79 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

On clear nights, the Bortle class 2 skies above Half Moon Ranch reveal constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

From Half Moon Ranch, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Timing your visit to Half Moon Ranch around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 25 – November 15

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise

Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.

Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Chiricahua Apache, O’odham Jeweḍ, Hohokam.

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Chiricahua.

Chiricahua

Data from Native Land Digital

Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Half Moon Ranch sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Cretaceous to Late Jurassic sedimentary rocks with minor volcanic rocks
Formation: Temporal Formation; Bathtub Formation; Sand Wells Formation; Fort Crittenden Formation; McCoy Mountains Formation
Lithology: Major:{arenite,conglomerate}, Minor:{limestone}
Age: Cretaceous

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 252
Unique Species: 88
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 223
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Copper, Tungsten, Zinc, Geothermal, Silver, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Gold

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 114°F (1912-05-30)
Record Low: -8°F (1978-12-08)

Wildfire History

This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.

Recorded Fires: 23
Largest Fire: Lizard (15,230 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: High

Watershed

Watershed: Big Draw
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 6
Largest: Willcox Playa 005 (0.3 kg)

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 1 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 1 (BFRO)
Haunted Places: 1 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 35/100

Half Moon Ranch Campground, Cochise Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Before visiting Half Moon Ranch, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.

Nearest weather station: PEARCE SUNSITES, AZ US (6.82 mi)