Take a road trip to Willcox Arizona to discover cowboys, wineries, birding and unique sky island in this southwestern town.
Founded in 1880, the town of Willcox is in Cochise County, Arizona.
It mainly serves as an agricultural and ranching community.
The Willcox area has 18 per cent of Arizona’s range cattle with 300 commercial ranches. In the 1930s, Wilcox was the largest cattle rail shipping point in the US.
Take a road trip to southwestern Arizona to discover cowboys, wineries and birding in Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Things to do in Willcox Arizona
Learn about famous Willcox Cowboys
Visit the Rex Allen Museum
The Rex Allen Museum is devoted to Western movie actor Rex Allen.
The famous singing cowboy was known as “Mister Cowboy” and “Arizona Cowboy”. He was born near Willcox in 1920.
Rex Allen was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. He received the very fist Golden Boot Award and has a star on Hollywood Boulevard. Rex Allen died in Tucson in 1999.
What does it take to be a cowboy?
Explore the Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Rex Allen Museum.
Check out the list of minimum requirements to become a cowboy.
The first item on the list: “a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of tight pants, and twenty dollar boots from a discount store”.
Visit the Rex Allen Museum and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Rex Allen Bronze Statue
Have your picture taken with the Rex Allen bronze statue across the street from the Rex Allen Museum in the Historic Rail Avenue Park.
At the foot of the statue is the burial location of Rex’s horse, KoKo.
After Rex’s death in 1999, his ashes were also scattered around the statue.
Rex Allen bronze statue across from the Rex Allen Museum in Historic Rail Avenue Park, Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Willcox Pioneer Cemetery
Visit Willcox Pioneer Cemetery to see the grave of famous gunfighters Warren Earp, brother to Wyatt.
Historic Southern Pacific Depot
The 1881 era Southern Pacific Depot has been completely restored.
See a 1915 Mascot and Western passenger railroad car on display.
It can be viewed inside during operating hours.
A 1915 Mascot and Western passenger rail car on display in Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Willcox Historic Theatre
The Art Deco style historic theatre was built in the 1930s to fulfill the town’s entertainment needs.
The movie house also provided a stage for vaudeville performers, complete with back stage dressing rooms.
The theatre was completely renovated in 2012 and is maintained by Willcox Historic Theatre Preservation Inc.
Take a road trip to southwestern Arizona to discover cowboys, wineries and birding in Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Birding in Willcox Arizona
Bird Watching: If you are a bird watcher, you will be happy to find the Willcox area has documented more than 200 bird species.
A variety of Mexican bird species rarely seen in the US can only be found here.
The Willcox Birding Festival,held every January, usually sells out.
Here is a list of the most recent bird sightings. This area is known for spotting Sandhill Cranes.
The Willcox Arizona area has more bird species than anywhere else in North America.
Discover Wineries in Willcox Arizona
Go Wine Tasting
This area is known as Willcox Wine Country.
It grows 74 per cent of all wine grapes used in Arizona.
There are 10 wine tasting rooms to check out in the area.
Take a road trip to southwestern Arizona to discover cowboys, wineries and birding in Willcox, Arizona. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Explore Sky Island
Chiricahua National Park Monument park is 36 miles from Willcox, Arizona.
The park features rhyolite rock pinnacles formed after a massive volcanic eruption.
Take the 8-mile scenic drive or go on a day hike on the 17-miles of trails .
If you plan to hike, watch where you put your hands and your feet. The venomous black-tailed rattlesnake is common here. If you encounter one, slowly back away.
The Faraway Ranch Historic District in the park is open on weekends.
The unique sky island found here is one of several found in southwestern Arizona.
Discover rhyolite rock pinnacles in Chiricahua National Park, Arizona.
Find out more about the town of Willcox.
Fast Facts about Willcox Arizona
- Wilcox was originally named Maley.
- 75 per cent of Arizona’s wine grapes are grown in the Willcox area.
- In the 1930s, Wilcox was the largest cattle rail shipping point in the US.
- The Willcox area has documented more than 200 bird species.
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