American Indian history comes alive east of Benson — in a museum and in the wild.
A day trip to the Amerind Foundation Museum and nearby Cochise Stronghold offers a change-of-pace outing for fans of spring-training baseball, some of whom might be developing bleacher blisters by now.
The museum, near the small community of Dragoon, houses extensive exhibits focusing on Indian art, history and culture.
"Many of the artifacts are from the Southwest, but some are from way down in South America," says Jill Williams, spokeswoman for the museum. "We also have artifacts from Plains Indians, the Inuit People and others.
"The buildings of the museum are Spanish-Colonial revival style," says Williams, noting that facilities include a gallery, museum store and picnic area.
To get to the museum from Tucson, take Interstate 10 east, past Benson, to the Dragoon Exit (Exit 318). Follow the Dragoon Road about a mile to the museum entrance on the left side of the road. It's about 65 miles from Tucson.
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Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays. Admission is $5 for visitors 19 to 59, $4 for those 60 or older and $3 for those 12 to 18. Children 11 or younger get in free.
For more information, call 1-520-586-3666.
After a museum overview of Indian cultures, you might continue to Cochise Stronghold for a look at a rugged, beautiful site used as a refuge by the legendary Apache warrior.
Hidden away in a rocky canyon on land now managed by the Forest Service, the Stronghold served as a hideout and natural fortress during Cochise's battles with U.S. troops in the 1860s.
Today, it's popular with hikers, bird-watchers, rock climbers, campers and history buffs.
Some visitors stroll a short Interpretive Trail, where information panels highlight the colorful history of the area. Others take a short jaunt on the 0.4-mile Nature Trail.
For a more vigorous trek, follow the five-mile Cochise Trail as it winds into the heart of the Dragoon Mountains.
To get to the Stronghold from the Amerind Museum, continue east on the Dragoon Road about 10 miles to Cochise Stronghold Road. Turn south and proceed six miles to Ironwood Road. Follow Ironwood Road west about four miles to the Stronghold.
The fee for trailhead parking is $5. Day use of the campground area costs $10, and camping is $10 a night.
For more information, call the Forest Service at 1-520-364-3468.
