Coronado National Memorial

It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and hundreds of Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey through arid deserts and rugged mountains. They encountered rich traditions and brought new technologies. The resulting collision and combination of cultures reverberates today.

Vermillion Flycatcher

A great diversity of birds are found in and near Coronado National Memorial

A brilliant red bird in a tree

Sunset From Montezuma Pass

Sunsets from Montezuma Pass provide a beautiful opportunity to gaze out into the Sky Islands.

Sun setting over the San Rafael Valley with a cane cholla in the foreground.

Cave formations of Coronado Cave

Coronado Cave is a large limestone cavern with cave formations such as stalactites and stalagmites

Two cavers inspect a series of calcite cave formations

Wildflowers and Montezuma Peak

A field of wildflowers blooms in the grasslands, one of the many life zones in the park

Agave stalks and wildflowers with mountains in the distance

Pink-throated morning glories in the grasslands

Each year the pink-throated morning glories bloom during monsoon season in the grasslands

Pink morning glories with mountain and grasslands

View from the cave trail

View from the Coronado Cave trail.

Rocky trail along a hillside with a tall stock of a blooming yucca.