Welcome to Fort Huachuca

So you have orders to Fort Huachuca in Arizona? You are headed for that small town feel with big community!! The Fort was the home of the 10th Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers" for 20 years and was replaced by the 25th Infantry Regiment in 1933. Presently, Fort Huachuca houses the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, and the U.S. Army's Network Enterprise Technology Command. This tiny installation in the Huachuca Mountains just 15 miles north of the Mexico Border is full of history and surprises. Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready for your adventure into the Wild Wild West.

Where to Live: This base is pretty secluded in that there isn't a lot of options to choose from nearby.

• Sierra Vista, AZ: The only town directly near base this is your number one option nearby. There is a wide variety of houses all over town. As a huge retirement community this town is really genuinely quiet and safe!!

• Huachuca City, AZ: Just up the road is Huachuca City, this is an even smaller town, but more likely to find houses with more property if that is something you are looking for.

• Bisbee, AZ: If mountain town, with a more rustic mining feel is your vibe and you don't mind a 40 minute drive to work, you may enjoy this location. The housing in this area is however smaller and older.

• Tucson, AZ: The largest city nearby is an option if you need variety of jobs, or schools. However, this would be a full hour drive daily.

• On post is also a fantastic option for convenience and amenities! 

Local Favorites for Families: 

How about a list of places you need to check out in Sierra Vista since it is closest to base!

Coffee Shops:

• Nirvana’s Cup of Joe / 4647 AZ-92, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650: Great small local coffee shop, they have so much varieties of drinks and food. Plus they are one of the only drive through coffee shops in town.

• Landmark Cafe / 400 W Fry Blvd #1, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635: With a full menu all day and the cutest location right off of base, this is a favorite to sit and relax with family or friends.

• Gypsy Sips Café /165 El Camino Real B, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635: This coffee shop is really cute and a fun atmosphere! Great place to sit inside or outside and read!

• Bisbee Coffee Company/ 2 Main St, Bisbee, AZ 85603: The perfect stop for when you need a bit of an escape to somewhere that feels like you traveled back in time. Right at the end of main street in Bisbee you can relax here and watch people all day!

Parks, recreation, trails, and libraries: 

• Sierra Vista Library/ 2600 E Tacoma St, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ The main library around the area, there are 2 additional libraries one in Bisbee and one in Huachuca City. This branch is really decent size, has an amazing selection of up to date books. And the BEST activities for kids, teens, and adults. We were here more than once a week sometimes!!

• Veterans Memorial Park/ 3105 E Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/  This is the main park in town. The city hosts all of their events here from festivals, to promenades, concerts to educational fairs. There is always something to do in this park. It also hosts their weekly Farmers Markets on Thursdays.

• Tompkins Park / 2060 S 7th St, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ — This is another popular park, with a playground, workout equipment, walking path, fields, and dog park!! You can reserve the tables for events. Desert areas with grass are rare but this park has grass and trees, so it was a big draw for our outdoors family.

• Brown Canyon Trail / 181 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615/  —Explore the desert near the Huachuca Mountains on this easy to access and easy to walk trail. A favorite for mom groups, and runners alike!

• The Cove/ 2900 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ If indoor swimming is your jam. This year round indoor pool that includes lap swimming, warm water pool, wave pool and water slides is a really fun place to hang out. The price is also right for the fun included!

There are a lot of trails on base as well we just didn't have an experience with them as there was a rabies situation during our time there. 

Grocery Stores & Markets: 

• Commissary FYI it may be smaller than what you may be used to! 

• Fry's (local name for Kroger) 4351 AZ-90, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ is the most everything in one stop location, including sushi, coffee, and flowers. They have curbside pick up and points towards gas.

• Food City / 85 AZ-92, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ This is a great choice for lower price meat, and produce. Also has a great variety of local favorites including mexican treats!

• Sierra Vista Food Co-Op/ 96 S Carmichael Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ This is a tiny little market but is jam packed with local foods, and season produce. If you like to support small local this is a major jam!!

• Sierra Vista Farmer's Market/ 3105 E Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 Thursdays from 10-2 is full of stands with produce and crafts. This is a fun outing for the family.

• Bisbee Farmer's Market/Vista Park, Ruppe Ave, Bisbee, AZ 85603

Restaurants: 

• Breakfast: Landmark Cafe / 400 W Fry Blvd #1, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/  Wide range of breakfast option, and lovely outdoor seating area.

• Lunch: La Casita Mexican Restaurant/ 465 E Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/  One of our favorite local Mexican places. The staff and management is amazing and they always have delicious margaritas.

• Dinner: Angry German/ 355 W Wilcox Dr, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/  Arrive early as there isn't a lot of seating, and this place is packed EVERYDAY!! Closest to authentic German food as we could find and we just came from Germany!!

Ice Cream + Treats 

• Julie and Sammy's/ 268 W Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/  Cute little ice cream parlor right off of base. With more choices of ice cream, gelato and treats than you could ever try.

• Beau Tea and the Bites/ 1634 AZ-92, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ Bubble Tea and other treats. This place is perfect for mom's night out!!

Fun Things to Do: 

• Urban Axe Yard/ 3758 E Fry Blvd Unit A, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635: Axe Throwing, they even have leagues, karaoke, trivia nights and live music.

• Buffalo Corral Stable/ Canelo Rd, Sierra Vista, AZ 85613/  Horse riding lessons and trail rides for all ages. 

• Southern Arizona Museum of Science/ 2200 El Mercado Loop #1170, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ Cute donation ran museum in the mall. with Dinosaur fossils, gems, and more. 

• Ramsey Canyon Preserve / 27 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615/ Cute trail area where you can see lots of local animals, and enjoy the much shadier area in the valley.

• Coronado National Monument/ 4101 W Montezuma Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615/ Hiking, and outdoor space. There is even cave here you can explore.

• San Pedro House/ 9800 AZ-90, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635/ Do you crave a little history and outdoor trail walking? With many programs available all year round.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

Quick Day Trips from Fort Gordon:

• Tombstone, AZ (approx 45 mins / Want to explore the Old Wild West. Don't miss this one!! With carriage rides, old fashion photos, and live reenactments this is a must do while stationed at Fort Huachuca. All of your family is going to want to go

• Bisbee, AZ (approx. 45 mins): An old mining town turned classic American town. With so many cute shops you could browse all day. Unique breweries, restaurants and hotels here too!

• Sonoita, AZ (approx. 45 mins): Great little town FILLED with wineries. There are so many choices, with beautiful gardens to enjoy the scenery with your friends.

• Kartchner Caverns State Park (approx 40 mins): This huge underground cave system has the best guided tours and was jaw-dropping!

• Tucson, AZ (approx. 1 hour): If you crave city life, they have everything! World Renown Gem Shows, Zoo, Jump Houses, Concerts, and Hiking!!

• Saguaro National Park (approx. 1 hour):The Saguaro Cactus only grows in this region and these unique giants are so worth the trip!!

• Chiricahua National Park (approx. 2 hours): This is a hidden gem not nearly as well known but the rock structures, hikes, and animals here was MINDBLOWING! I was utterly fascinated!

Fort Huachuca can feel really isolating if you don't get out and explore. It is really small town, but this allows for a really big community. Most people around will be more than happy to help you find anything you need while you live there. Although it is desert climate and hot in the summer, you can do so much fun exploring just a quick drive away!! We were constantly out doing things near by and loved all the day trips we went on!!

Written by Sabrina Johannes

Want to write a blog about your location? Email sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org