Fort Bowie National Historic Site

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Ruins of the fort with mountains and valley in the background.
San Simon Valley can be seen just beyond the ruins of the cavalry barracks.
Close up of a canon barrel
The mountain howitzer is a symbolic relic from the active days of Fort Bowie
Ruins of adobe building under a blue sky with white clouds.
The Post Trader's store on a spring day.
Ruined walls of the old buildings and mountains in the background
Fort Bowie was once a bustling frontier military fort. Today, the ruins offer a place of reflection.
Black and white photo of white tombstones in a cemetery, mountains in the background
Fort Bowie cemetery is accessed via the Fort Bowie Trail, and in addition to many US troops buried here, some Apache/Indeh are buried here as well.
A group gathers as a ranger displays the heliograph equipment
The heliograph was an important communications tool in the late 1880s. Stationed on top of high desert peaks, sunlight was reflected off mirrors in coded patterns to send a message miles away.
Photos: National Park Service

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.

Quick Facts

State Arizona
Designation National Historic Site
State Code AZ

Location & Map

Fort Bowie National Historic Site is located in Arizona.

Operating Hours

The Historic Site trails and ruins are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Please see Visitor Center tab for museum and visitor center hours.

Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset
Monday Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset
Friday Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday Sunrise to Sunset

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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 3500 South Apache Pass Road, Bowie, AZ, 85605
Phone 520-549-6751
Email chir_info@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Forts Military US Army Native American Heritage Wars and Conflicts Indian and Frontier Wars Animals Birds Groundwater Freshwater Springs

Things To Do

Birding at Fort Bowie

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…

Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program

Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program

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

Visitor Centers

Fort Bowie National Historic Site Visitor Center

The visitor center is best accessed via the Fort Bowie Trail. The story of Apache Pass and the events that led to the establishment of…

Hours: The visitor center building is open Friday through Monday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Come during business hours to enjoy the exhibits and park store. The bathroom, passport stamp, and drinking fountain are available outside at all times.

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