Arizona’s Cochise County

From Benson and Bisbee to an acclaimed movie set, U.S. Route 80 in southeastern Arizona provides the perfect destinations or side trips for Canadian snowbirds.

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Words by Steve Fennell

There are a few essential factors we always consider when planning a trip to the southwestern U.S. One is to determine when we want to go and the second is how long we can go, which usually dictates the number of attractions we want to see and experience.

Arizona has a rich history and diverse landscape. The classic U.S. Route 66 makes for an iconic RV road trip but being curious by nature, we recently discovered a variety of communities along U.S. Route 80 in the southeastern part of the Grand Canyon State, which allows the chance to experience a lot of what this region has to offer in a short amount of time.

Established in 1926, U.S. Route 80 is known as the first ocean-to-ocean highway from Tybee Island, GA, to San Diego, CA. It served as a vital route for decades until the development of US Interstates 8 and 10, which were quicker and more efficient resulting in U.S. Route 80 losing its state highway status by the 1970s.

Today, it’s still accessible as a north-south route in Southeastern Arizona and was even designated as a Historic Road by the Arizona State Transportation Board. What makes it interesting is the almost-100-year highway runs through such iconic towns as Douglas, Bisbee, Tombstone, and Benson, which is located at the crossroads of U.S. Route 80 and I-10.

Benson: The Centerpiece of Cochise County

Benson is a special destination and caters to the countless Canadian snowbirds all winter. It has a population of just 5,000, and the traffic is light (to easily manage the largest of motorhomes), the community is friendly, and there’s no shortage of campgrounds.

In fact, 16-plus full-service RV parks in the immediate area combine to provide approximately 1,100 sites and all serve as a great home base to explore the area. Simply find a location, unhook your towed vehicle (or trailer) and start discovering the old west and culture.

Visitor centres are great resources when visiting a new area and The Benson Visitor Center – Train Depot will be of particular interest. The city was founded in the late 1880s, just before the region’s mining boom, and served as a vital stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line, which was in operation until 1997, which was then purchased by Union Pacific Railroad and continues to run through Benson today.

The city also serves as an official AMTRAK stop and the ‘Sunset Limited’ has been stopping in the community since 1886. The area’s rail heritage remains and the visitor centre replicates a railroad depot with much of the period architecture.

To further recognize the region’s rail history, train enthusiasts and kids of all ages are encouraged to try the visitor centre’s new train simulator. The AAR control stand operates a G-scale model train that runs seamlessly along 29 m (96 ft) of track.

Southeast Arizona Attractions

The Benson Visitor Center - Train Depot is where you can learn about popular local attractions like the Benson Historic Walking Tour, the San Pedro Valley Arts and Historical Society Museum and the Holy Trinity Monastery, which has oriental gardens, a museum, an art gallery, and bird sanctuary. It even hosts many seasonal events throughout the year.

A big attraction in Benson, however, is the Mescal Movie Set. The silver screen often imitates history and 100-plus Hollywood film productions - including Tombstone - have been filmed here.

Serving as an 1860-1920 era western frontier town, the Mescal Movie Set is considered to be one of the most recognizable film locations. It’s where Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Sharon Stone - to name a few stars - have graced the set in leading roles. It’s also a notable setting for television series, documentaries, commercials, and mainstream music videos.

It’s open to the public and tours are available by trained, certified film historians who expertly guide you through all of the notable film locations. Some of the latest news, however, is the extensive renovations to 27 buildings on its grounds.

Makeovers are currently underway and include the redesigning of interiors and exteriors as well as repairing foundations. A church, blacksmith shop, and stage depot will also be added. For all of the details and to book your tour or check out upcoming events go to www.mescalmovieset.com.

Benson Services and Natural Sites

Benson has all the services you need. From big-box stores and dining options to pharmacies, unique shopping and RV services, the convenience and culture combine to provide a great experience.

It’s worth noting that Benson has several natural attractions unique to the region. Kartchner Caverns State Park, which spans 223 ha (550 ac) among the foothills of the Whetstone Mountains just 15 minutes south of Benson, is where you can discover some of the most amazing cave formations in the world. They consist of incredible stalactite formations that were created from redeposited mineral buildup. Guided tours are available to get the most out of your experience.

Of course, there’s plenty to discover under the crisp blue skies as well. The park has a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels and interests. One of the newest routes is the Ocotillo Trail, a 3 km (1.7 mi) addition to the existing Foothills Loop. With its diverse terrain, you can discover a multitude of ocotillo plants including prickly pears, chollas, barrel cactus, and mesquite.

RV camping is also available in the park. With 58 spacious sites, three are designated for those with physical disabilities, 12 are pull-throughs that can accommodate rigs up to (18 m (60 ft)) and the remaining 43 can fit models of varying sizes. All come with 30- or 50-amp power, and water and there’s easy access to showers/restrooms and a sani-station. For more information about the park and immediate area visit www.azstateparks.com or www.bensonvisitorcenter.com

Back on Old US Route 80

Driving south from Benson via Old U.S. Route 80 - either in a towed vehicle or RV - leads to the consecutive towns of Tombstone, Bisbee, and Douglas. All are easily accessible in less than two hours but since each one is more diverse than the next, you’ll want to set aside some extra time.

Tombstone is the first stop from Benson and is a historic town that depicts the days of the Wild West with period buildings, culture and insightful museums. After seeing the live reenactment of the iconic shootout at the OK Corral, you should visit the Boothill Cemetery and you may even encounter a paranormal experience at the famously haunted Bird Cage Theater and The Crystal Palace.

Just 30 minutes further south is Bisbee, which couldn’t be any more different than Tombstone. More ‘urban’ than ‘wild west,’ Bisbee is a well-preserved community with a thriving art scene and a trendy downtown with unique shopping, dining, and nightlife. With the number of attractions - both historical and natural - Bisbee can serve as a destination all its own.

There are many other communities to discover along Old US Route 80 but Douglas marks its end at the U.S./Mexico border. Visit the century-old Gadsden Hotel with its unique architecture or check out a museum that illustrates the town’s rich mining and ranching history. You can even cross the border to Mexico and visit Douglas’ sister city, Agua Prieta to enhance your road trip even more.

For more information be sure to visit www.visitarizona.com