Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Plan Your Visit NPS.gov

Ruins of adobe building under a blue sky with white clouds.

Ruined walls of the old buildings and mountains in the background

Black and white photo of white tombstones in a cemetery, mountains in the background

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Park Alerts (2)

Butterfield Trail closed to horses and pack animals.: The trail remains open for hiking and foot traffic. For more information, see our policy page.

Fort Bowie Visitor Center Bookstore is now cashless!: For your convenience, we accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payment options. Electronic payment reduces transaction times, save money, and improves accountability. Thank you fo...

About Fort Bowie National Historic Site

For nearly 25 years, Fort Bowie stood at the crossroads of the Chiricahua Apache's fight to defend their ancestral homeland and the U.S. Army's westward expansion.

Today, visitors embark on a 3-mile scenic loop trail traversing the ground where this profound cultural collision forever altered the course of both American and Indigenous history.

Things To Do

Birding at Fort Bowie

Birdwatching is a popular activity at Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Some birds can be observed year-round, while others are migratory.

30-60 Minutes

Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program

Become a Junior Ranger at Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Books are available at the park visitor center.

Available Activities

Hiking

Front-Country Hiking

Horse Trekking

Horseback Riding

Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

From Willcox, AZ / points west on I-10: drive 23 miles east of Willcox on Interstate 10 to the the town of Bowie. Exit at the first Bowie exit and drive through the town. Follow the signs for Fort Bowie National Historic Site and turn south on Apache Pass Road.

Drive 13 miles to the Fort Bowie Trailhead (the last mile of the road is unpaved). Be prepared to walk the three miles round trip to the ruins and back to your car.

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