Tombstone sits on a mesa in the San Pedro River Valley. It brings historic sites together with seasonal highlights and the annual Helldorado Days. The best time to visit therefore depends on whether you want to focus on the historic district, the Rose Tree’s spring bloom, a mine tour, or Helldorado Days. These reasons to visit do not fall within the same time frame, so first decide which occasion is most important for your trip.

Historic Sites in the District

With the exception of Boothill Cemetery, the historic sites in the three-block historic district are no more than a five-minute walk from one another. The short distances make it possible to plan a visit to several of the other historic sites in the district on foot. Check the accessibility and conditions at each site before your trip.

Theater and Original Accounts

The Bird Cage Theatre opened on December 26, 1881. At the Tombstone Epitaph Museum, you can read the original accounts of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The Bird Cage Theatre is a point of reference for theater history; for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, you can read the original accounts at the museum.

Rose Tree: Size and Bloom Season

The World's Largest Rose Tree is in the backyard of the Rose Tree Museum, where it now covers almost 5,000 square feet. It blooms for about six weeks each spring, in March and April; the exact timing can vary. There are two distinct aspects to consider when planning a visit: the seasonal spring bloom and the tree’s nearly 5,000-square-foot area. If the bloom is important to your trip, check its timing before you leave.

Mine Tour and October Event

The Good Enough Mine offers a tour of a real silver mine dating from the 1880s, 100 feet underground. If you prefer a tour to reading original accounts, the Good Enough Mine offers another way to explore Tombstone’s history. Check tour times before your trip and take them into account when planning your visit. The Bird Cage Theatre opened on December 26, 1881, and the Good Enough Mine dates from the 1880s; both are therefore part of the same era in the city’s history.

Helldorado Days take place every year on the third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. The program includes reenactments of gunfights. The Rose Tree blooms for about six weeks in March and April, while Helldorado Days are centered on a weekend in October. Check the dates for the relevant year before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Douglas, Willcox, Benson, Bisbee, Sierra Vista

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