These shoots have 11 to 16 ribs and a single, strong, upright central spine that is white or light gray with a darker tip, measuring 6 to 7.5 mm (0.24 to 0.30 in) in length.

Additionally, there are 11 to 14 spreading, straight, whitish or grayish radial spines that are 1.2 to 2 cm (0.47 to 0.79 in) long.

The flowers of Echinocereus bonkerae are broadly funnel-shaped and range from magenta to reddish-purple.

This species is commonly found in dry grasslands and in chaparral shrublands in the United States in the Pinal and Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona, and in the neighboring Mexican state of Sonora growing at elevations of 700 - 2000 meters.

Plants grow in sandy-loamy soil and rocky slopes in pinyon-juniper woodlands.