Things To See & Do
First and foremost –while on the property- relax and enjoy. Lounge about the Large Pond & waterfall up front or the smaller pond center of property where we now have a collection of Goldfish in an aquarium setting. You can also check out the many cozy sitting areas- listen to the birds chirping and feel the breeze blowing across your face. Always Keep an eye out for the flocks of quail and dove, the Roadrunner who visits often, or Rabbits that roam the grounds. Watch the sun rise and set over the mountains. Play Miniature golf, Croquet or ping-pong, toss horseshoes, or simply just wander around and take in the many interesting historic buildings, Art Projects and odds and ends collected over the years. If you desire, help feed the chickens and collect eggs in the mornings, or pick vegetables from the gardens when in season.
Be sure to bring your appetite- a delicious breakfast is served each morning in the main house, and Max more than often will prepare one of her specialties. Chad will also on occasion put together a Cajun jambalaya for dinner, or we may just barbeque on one of the many outdoor grills on the property.
Johnson Road is lightly travelled and transitions over to a gravel road a couple of miles beyond Hidden Oasis, making it ideal for long or short walks, as well as casual biking. (We are in the habit of taking a short stroll in the evenings, watching the sky and mountains explode with color as the sun sinks behind the mountains to the west)
Nearby Hiking, Biking, and Sightseeing
There are numerous back roads, trails, and drives within a short distance, the closest only a five minute drive from Hidden Oasis. Here, a series of gravel road beds wind around a band of northeastern Dragoon Mountains with easy to moderate climbs and great views.
A 10-15 minute drive takes you to Dragoon Springs which was a stop on the Butterfield-Overland stage route, built in 1858. There the ruins of the station, along with the gravesites of 3 of the original builders (bludgeoned to death by Mexican laborers, and 4 Confederate soldiers killed by Apache Indians) remain.
Within the Dragoon Mountains (30-45 minutes away) there are several trails centered around the Cochise Stronghold, ranging from the easy ½ mile Stronghold Nature Trail, up to moderate to difficult 6 mile Cochise Trail. In addition there are several remote trails (accessible by 4 wheel drive) that are quite spectacular.
A series of maintained trails are located at Kartcher Caverns State Park (30 minutes away) ranging from easy to strenuous.
Dozens of trails crisscross the Chiricahua Mountains including 7 separate trails at Chiricahua National Monument (45 minutes away) that are easily accessible.
Museums
The Amerind Foundation is located only 2 miles from Hidden Oasis. Founded in 1937, it features a museum, ongoing research, art gallery, and picnic areas. The museum tells the story of America’s first peoples from Alaska to South America and from the last Ice Age to the present. Amerind’s Art Gallery features works on western themes.
Within 20 minutes are the Benson Museum, the Gammons Gulch Movie Set (Benson), the Rex Allen Museum, and the Chiricahua Regional Museum (Wilcox). In addition, over two dozen museums are scattered within an hour’s distance in Tombstone, Bisbee, Douglas, Sierra Vista, and Tucson.
Bird Watching
With over 400 species, bird watching is one of the many reasons why folks visit Cochise County.
Hidden Oasis is centrally located between the Willcox Playa and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservancy and is only minutes away from the Cochise Stronghold. It's the ideal location for your bird watching adventure.
Here are a couple of links for additional birding info:
http://www.wingsoverwillcox.com/
https://www.explorecochise.com/Bird-watching
Wineries and Wine Tastings
Sixteenth century Spanish missionaries were the first to plant grapes and make wine in Arizona. They were followed a few hundred years later by pioneers such as John Slaughter who developed vineyards near Douglas. The modern Arizona Wine Industry was established in the early 1980’s. Due to the climate, soil, elevation, and monsoon season falling at the ideal time during the growing season, Cochise County is a unique wine producing region.
A sampling of the areas vineyards which feature tasting rooms and lounges include:
GOLDEN RULE VINEYARDS (only 10 minutes away)
Coronado Vineyards
Keeling-Shaefer Vineyards
Carlson Creek Vineyards
Flying Leap Vineyards
Passion Cellars
Arius Wine Co
Zarpara Vineyard
Tasting room at the vineyard with breathtaking mountain views. Open 11-5, Fridays-Sundays.
520-222-1485 www.zapara.com
Pillsbury Wine Co
A quaint vineyard cottage with mountain views is the setting for this tasting room. Open 11-5, Thursday-Sunday. 520-384-3964
Bodega Pierce
Tasting room at 4511 E Robbs Rd, Wilcox AZ 602-320-1722
Caverns
Kartcher Caverns State Park
First discovered in 1974, the caves and surrounding area became a state park in 1979. Year-round guided tours allow visitors the opportunity to view the uniquely spectacular formations which feature among other sights, one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, the tallest column in Arizona, needle quartz formations, and the world’s largest formation of brushite moonmilk.
In addition to the tour of the caves, you can make a day of it, by visiting the Discovery Center, the Bat Cave Café, and hiking one of the 3 separate trails, ranging from the relaxing Hummingbird Garden Walk, to the more challenging Guindani and Foothills Loop Trails.
30 minutes from Hidden Oasis B & B.
Colossal Cave
A little over an hour away, this 2,400 park features crystal-filled Colossal Cave tours, along with Western trail rides, picnicking, a café, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Colossal Cave is home or way station to almost half of the bats found in Arizona.
Horseback Riding
Choose to saddle up and enjoy a ride at the nearby Triangle T Ranch (only a few minutes from Hidden Oasis) or take one of the hourly or daily guided horseback tours available in the Dragoon, Chiricahua, and Whetstone Mountains, as well as several other locations scattered across Cochise County.
Tombstone
Of course, no trip to southeastern Arizona would be complete without spending time in Tombstone. Watch a reenactment of the gunfight at OK Corral, visit one of the many museums and historic sites, shop for souvenirs, dine at Big Nose Kate’s or any of the numerous restaurants, or simply roam the old town streets and boardwalks.
Benson and Willcox
The towns of Benson (15 minutes west) and Willcox (20 minutes east) offer a wide variety of attractions and services including restaurants, museums, wine tastings, and more.
Tucson
Less than an hour away is Tucson. If you are flying in, Tucson International is convenient, modern, and extremely easy to get in and out of. The city boasts a multitude of restaurants, museums, and things to see and do.
Lakes-Fishing & Swimming
Roper Lake State Park offers fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping and is only an hour away near Safford, AZ.
Parker Canyon Lake is located in the high rolling hills east of Sierra Vista (less than 2 hours away-all paved roads) and is loaded with trout, bass, sunfish, and catfish. Marina, boat ramp, fishing pier, lakeside trail, restrooms, and camping are all available.
Patagonia Lake State Park is located south of Tucson an hour and a half from Hidden Oasis and offers fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.
A little harder to get to, but worth the effort are two small lakes-Riggs Flat Lake which is high in the Pinelino Mts, and Rose Canyon Lake sitting atop Mt Lemmon. Both are about 2 hours away.
Golf Courses
In addition to over 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area (2-3 hours away) and nearly 3 dozen courses around Tucson (1 hour away) are two 18 hole courses only 15 minutes away in Benson, the San Pedro Golf Course and Turquoise Hills. In addition is Twin Lakes Municipal, a 9 hole course in Wilcox (20 minutes)