Rustler Park

Rustler Park

Coronado National Forest San Simon, Arizona 85632

Official Website

Birds of Interest

Unique and local nesting forest bird species can be found near campgrounds and along adjacent trails and roadways. This area features the southernmost stand of Engleman spruce, as well as iris and orchids that attract many butterflies and hummingbirds in summer. There is an excellent chance to see greater pewee, cordilleran flycatcher, Mexican chickadee, yellow-eyed junco, Steller’s jay, plumbeous vireo, hepatic and western tanager, black-headed grosbeak, Mexican chickadee, broad-tailed hummingbird, violet-green swallow, and red-breasted and pygmy nuthatches. Breeding warbler populations include olive, red-faced, Grace’s, Virginia’s, black-throated gray, yellow-rumped, and painted redstart.

About this Location

Rustler Park is a wildflower-carpeted meadow high in the Chiricahuas. Around the turn of the century, rustlers concealed stolen stock there while altered brands healed and pursuit cooled. Today, the meadow provides a cool mountain respite from the deserts below. Rimmed with Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, the meadow is sprinkled with seasonal wildflowers.

Campsites at Rustler Park were scattered in the shade of tall trees along access roads that have been purposefully kept out of the meadow to avoid damaging fragile plants and soils. Since the Horseshoe II fire in 2011, the campground has been rebuilt and the campsites now have canopies to give visitors shade.

Rustler Park is an excellent place to pursue bird watching. Larger animals, including black bear, are frequently spotted here, too. Trails lead from the campground into the Chiricahua Wilderness and to other places of interest.

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Rustler Park.

Content from Official Website and Arizona Wildlife Viewing Areas brochure