Tombstone, Arizona: O.K. Corral, Boothill Cemetery & Pima Air Museum

Last Updated: May 2, 2026

Tombstone, Arizona sits in Cochise County in the southeastern corner of the state — one of the last great boomtowns of the American Frontier. Silver was discovered in 1877 and the population exploded from roughly 100 people to over 14,000 within just a few years, bringing with it 110 saloons, 14 gambling halls, and a lawlessness that made Tombstone one of the most notorious towns in the American West. Today it remains one of the most historically rich day trips in Arizona. From Dragoon, Arizona we headed south to Tombstone.

The Cowboys and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

The word “cowboy” has its origins right here in Cochise County. In the 1870s the Cochise County Cowboys were not ranch hands — they were a loosely organized gang of cattle rustlers who raided across the Mexican border, stealing livestock to sell in the United States. When cross-border raids became harder, they turned to robbing American ranches and stagecoaches. They were violent and easily provoked, and at their peak reportedly numbered around 300.

Key figures included the Clanton family — Newman, Phin, Billy and Ike — along with Tom and Frank McLaury, Curly Bill Brocius, Buckskin Frank Leslie, and Johnny Ringo. The Clanton ranch outside Tombstone served as a base for storing stolen livestock.

The Earp brothers — Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan — arrived in Tombstone and were appointed Deputy U.S. Marshals. Their escalating conflicts with the Cowboys set the stage for what became the most famous gunfight in American history. On October 26, 1881, tensions exploded in a narrow lot near the O.K. Corral on Fremont Street. The fight lasted approximately 30 seconds. When it ended, Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers were dead. Virgil and Morgan Earp were wounded. Wyatt walked away unscathed.

The confrontation didn’t end the conflict — it intensified it. Morgan Earp was later assassinated, leading to Wyatt’s infamous vendetta ride through southern Arizona. The Cowboys as an organized force had largely dissolved by late 1882.

Today the O.K. Corral is a ticketed attraction on Allen Street with a daily reenactment. It’s theatrical but genuinely entertaining, and the historical context makes it worthwhile rather than just a tourist show.

O.K. Corral visitor details: Located at 326 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, the O.K. Corral is open daily from 9am–5pm. Admission is approximately $10–15 — check current pricing at ok-corral.com. Reenactments are performed daily; check the schedule at the entrance.

Boothill Cemetery

Boothill Cemetery was established in 1878 and closed to new burials around 1883. It holds approximately 250 graves — outlaws, gamblers, miners, and others who met violent ends during Tombstone’s wildest years. The name comes from the frontier expression for dying violently: those buried here “died with their boots on.” The three men killed at the O.K. Corral — Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers — are buried here.

The headstones are rough-hewn and often darkly humorous, with epitaphs that pull no punches. Walking through takes about 20–30 minutes and the atmosphere is genuinely memorable. Go in the morning before tour buses arrive.

Boothill Cemetery visitor details: Located at 408 N AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638. Open daily from 7:30am–6pm. Admission is free. A small gift shop on site accepts donations that support cemetery maintenance.

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon

Big Nose Kate’s is one of the most popular bars in Tombstone and tells one of the great untold stories of the frontier. Kate Elder — born Mary Katherine Horony in Budapest, Hungary — came to the American West after her family emigrated first to Mexico, then the United States. Her father was a physician, but Kate made her way through frontier life largely on her own terms.

She met Wyatt Earp while working in Dodge City, Kansas, and through Wyatt she met Doc Holliday in Fort Griffin, Texas. Their relationship was turbulent and on-again-off-again across years of frontier travel. When Doc was dying of tuberculosis in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Kate traveled to be with him in his final days. She outlived nearly everyone from that era, eventually passing away at age 90 at the Arizona Pioneers’ Home in Prescott.

The saloon on Allen Street is lively, full of frontier memorabilia, and serves food and drinks throughout the day. Live music most evenings.

Big Nose Kate’s visitor details: Located at 417 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638. Open daily from late morning through late evening.

Practical Tips for Visiting Tombstone

Best time to visit: October through April. Southern Arizona summers are brutal and Tombstone has little shade on Allen Street. How long to spend: A full day covers everything comfortably — Boothill in the morning, O.K. Corral midday, Allen Street and Big Nose Kate’s in the afternoon. Crowds: Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. Costumed performers and tour buses peak on weekends. From Tucson: About 70 miles southeast — roughly 1.5 hours via AZ-80. Parking: Free and easy on the outskirts of town. Walk in rather than fighting for Allen Street spots.

Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson

Located between Tombstone and Tucson, the Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world — and one of the most underrated stops in all of Arizona. The concept began in 1966, the first 50 aircraft were acquired by the early 1970s, and the museum opened to the public in 1976. Today approximately 300 aircraft are spread across 100,000 square feet of indoor hangar space plus acres of outdoor displays.

What sets Pima Air apart is the volunteers. Nearly every aircraft has a knowledgeable docent ready to walk you through its history in remarkable detail — far beyond what any placard could provide. There is also an excellent space exhibit on site. Plan for at least 3 hours; aviation enthusiasts will want a full day. The indoor hangars are air-conditioned, making this a smart summer stop when outdoor Arizona is at its worst.

Pima Air & Space Museum visitor details: Located at 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756. Open daily 9am–5pm. Admission is approximately $20 for adults — check current pricing at pimaair.org.

The Boneyard: AMARG at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Adjacent to the museum is the real hidden gem: a bus tour of the AMARG Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base — officially the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. It is the U.S. military’s primary aircraft storage and reclamation facility, and the scale is staggering: over 4,000 aircraft spread across the desert floor as far as you can see.

Tucson was chosen deliberately — hard soil, very low rainfall, and low humidity dramatically slow corrosion, making it ideal for long-term preservation. The Army and Navy store aircraft here alongside the Air Force. Some planes are in deep storage, some are being returned to flyable status, others are being cannibalized for parts.

Tours require reservations at least two weeks in advance through the Pima Air website, and involve a security and background check on an active military base. Despite the process, the tour is extremely well organized and one of the most unique experiences in Arizona.

Boneyard tour details: Reservations are required — book at pimaair.org at least two weeks ahead. A valid government ID and background check are required as the tour takes place on an active military installation. Tours last approximately 1.5–2 hours by bus. An additional fee applies on top of museum admission — check current pricing at pimaair.org.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tombstone, Arizona

What is Tombstone, Arizona famous for? Tombstone is famous for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881, the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday, Boothill Cemetery, and its history as one of the last Wild West silver boomtowns. It remains one of the best-preserved frontier towns in the American Southwest.

Is Tombstone, Arizona worth visiting? Yes — especially for history and American West enthusiasts. The town has preserved its frontier character well and attractions like Boothill Cemetery, the O.K. Corral, and Big Nose Kate’s make for a genuinely interesting full day trip. It’s tourist-oriented but backed by authentic and well-documented history.

How far is Tombstone from Tucson? Tombstone is approximately 70 miles southeast of Tucson — about a 1.5-hour drive via AZ-80. It pairs well with nearby Bisbee (30 minutes further south) or a stop at the Pima Air & Space Museum on the way back.

Do you need reservations for the Boneyard tour? Yes — reservations are required at least two weeks in advance through the Pima Air & Space Museum website at pimaair.org. A valid government ID and background check are required as the tour takes place on an active military installation.

What is the best time of year to visit Tombstone? October through April is ideal. Southern Arizona summers are extremely hot and Tombstone has very little shade. The town is busiest on weekends — a weekday visit is noticeably less crowded and more enjoyable.