Coronado National Memorial is located along the U.S.–Mexico border in southeastern Arizona and commemorates the 1540–1542 expedition of Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. The site honors the first major European exploration of the American Southwest and interprets the complex cultural encounters between Spanish explorers and Indigenous peoples.

Set within the Huachuca Mountains, the memorial features rugged desert terrain, oak woodlands, and open grasslands, with sweeping views into Mexico. Visitors can explore scenic hiking routes such as the Coronado Cave Trail and Coronado Peak Trail, which is the start of the Arizona Trail. 

The park supports more than 650 plant species, including Mexican blue oak, piñon, juniper, and claret cup cactus, as well as rare plants such as Huachuca milkvetch and beardless chinchweed. Notable wildlife includes the Mexican long-tongued bat, lesser long-nosed bat, Mexican spotted owl, barking frog, Madrean alligator lizard, and Chihuahuan blackhead snake. The park also hosts over 200 species of birds and is a known destination for rare birds in the US, with frequent updates to the park's list via eBird. 

The memorial emphasizes education through visitor center exhibits, films, and a novel distance learning program, encouraging reflection on exploration, cultural exchange, and their lasting impacts.

To learn more about the monument and/or to plan your visit, visit the park's website.