Columbine Visitor Center

The Columbine Visitor Center, situated on the edge of an alpine meadow amidst a Forest Service administrative site, offers indoor and outdoor exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the area. A children’s discovery room has displays and activities for children. A paved, ADA accessible path with interpretive signs and benches follows the edge of the meadow adjacent to the Visitor Center. A USFS volunteer is available to answer questions when the Visitor Center is open. Maps and brochures are also available inside. Click to download the Mount Graham Visitor Guide.

The Visitor Center, originally the USFS Columbine Ranger Station residence, was built around 1935. This residence, and other buildings at the Columbine Work Station, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program that employed young men during the Great Depression with jobs improving and developing our public lands. Multiple CCC camps existed on Mount Graham. The Columbine Camp was one of two camps used during the summer months. Workers from this camp developed campgrounds and trails on the mountain and extended the Swift Trail to Riggs Flat Lake. The Visitor Center reflects a distinctive USFS architectural style of the Depression era with its gabled roof, multipaned windows, and lapped siding.

The shaded Columbine Group Picnic Area is located near the visitor center.