The Chiricahua Desert Museum — Attraction in New Mexico

The many exquisite full size wildlife paintings, alone, are worth the visit. But add to that their reptile collection. I never realized there were so many species of rattlesnakes, for example, a number of which are in live display enclosures, as well as turtles and lizards. The herpetologist told me thete are over 50 species of rattlers, some of which are only found in the US in southeast AZ and southwest NM.

I also enjoyed their display, in a separate building, of Apache history. They are releasing about a 20 minute documentary of Geronimo's life which the producer (who told me he is also the herpetologist) let me and a couple of other visitors pre-view.

Please see their website for hours and fees. As a senior my fees were discounted to $7 which was well worth it. Please note travel time from major cities. I live in Tucson and it took me 4 hours, but I drive the speed limit and stop at rest stops.

They have a great gift shop as well. If you haven't been there you should go. There is lodging in the tiny town of Rodeo and an RV park or two but I was...

This is a very interesting museum and is well worth the entrance fee. A must see if you are in the area and the number of live rattlesnakes and other species makes it a rare exhibit as you won’t find these species assembled anywhere else in the world. The owners have poured out their lives in a labor of love in the two museum buildings and you need some extra time to go through and take in the historical collections they have on display. The Native American pieces are very interesting and they have items on display that belonged to Cochise, etc. They have a beautiful gift shop too and I will return one day with my wife as this was a very pleasurable experience and with...

Strange little museum. If your looking to see live rattlesnakes in glass cases then this is your place but it's NOT a museum of the chiricahua desert! The gift shop is as others have said... Pretty good. Books and things your not likely to see anywhere else. Your entry fee covers the Apache museum that's next door. It has a interesting time line for the Apache presence in the Southwest an some interesting artifacts but I'd be hard pressed to really think of it as a real museum.

They do have an interesting botanic garden that's free and it's as close as you'll get to a museum of the Chiricahua Desert. I can't say that minded paying what we did but I'll for sure...