b"area too, including some dangerous animals like mountain lions and bears,Festivalsso dont leave the trail.The entrance and visitors center are at 12856 E. Rhyolite Creek Road.520-824-3560. NPS.gov/chir/index.htm Willcox West Festcelebrates a cowboy culture that is still active today through Willcox Wine Country is agenerations of ranching families. The event consortium of Arizona Farm Wineriesconsists of a rodeo and a chuck wagon cook-located in the Willcox area. This regionoff and usually occurs in April.of southeast Arizona grows 74% of Tucson Citizen Arizonas wine grapes. VineyardsTheWillcox Wine Country Spring in this region are typically at 4200Festival , which takes place the third weekend feet elevation and above. That elevation gets theof May and is listed as one of the top 10 wine be seen in the winter months. The land is ownedvineyards out of the low desert heat. Summer daysfestivals in North America. The event grows and managed by the Arizona Electric Powerare warm and nights are cool, and that wide shiftin size every year and includes live music and Cooperative, which also sponsors the annualin daily temperatures imparts flavor to the grapes.multiple arts and crafts vendors.Wings Over Willcox. Then the Arizona summer/fall monsoons introduce 3525 Highway 191. 520-586-3631. a unique twist to the growing season. The soils areRex Allen Daysis a multi-day event that azgt.coop/what-we-do/environment/generally rich in alluvial and volcanic mixtures fromtakes place the first weekend in October. It apache-station-wildlife-viewing-area the surrounding mountains. All together that meanswas started in 1951 to honor Rex Allen. The the wines produced in the Willcox region carry theirevent includes the annual parade, rodeos, Covering nearly 12,000 acres of southeast Arizona,own unique Arizona signature and stand amongfairs, car shows, and more.Chiricahua National Monument was largelywines made anywhere in the world. Check out all created by tumultuous volcanic activity millenniathe tasting rooms in the area. Willcox Wine Country Fall Festivaltakes ago. With jagged peaks reaching nearly 10,000 feet,WillcoxWineCountry.org or WinesofWillcox.com place the 3rd weekend of October,the mountains are one of the areas most iconic and visited sites. The park is full of paved roadways fromTheWillcox Flyer Bike Ridetakeswhich youll be able to see all there is to see from theplace on the first Saturday of September,comfort of your car, or if youd rather hoof it, thereand theBoulderDash13k/30k takesare miles of hiking trails thatll get you closer to theplace in mid-October.caves, canyons, and amazing lava formations.Winter festivals include theChristmas Light One of the gems of the Chiricahua NationalParade and Craft Fairin December, and Monument is the impressive Heart of RockstheWings Over Willcox Birding Festivalformations that are often referred to as hoodoos.which takes place January 13-15, 2023. The formations, which resemble spires, orWingsOverWillcox.comstalwart sentinels, are best seen from the Heart of Rocks Loop, which you can pick up near the visitors center. The path is relatively easy and will lead you past some of the monument's must-see attractions like Lower Rhyolite Canyon, Bonita Creek, and Sarah Deming Canyon. Theres lots of wildlife in the ArizonaRealCountry.com June 2022 25"