11,022 in 1994
LOCATION:
Bowie, AZ
ADDRESS:
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
c\o Superintendent Chiricahua National Monument
Dos Cabezas Route Box 6500
Willcox, AZ 85643
TELEPHONE:
(520) 847-2500
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Visitor Center: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. Closed
Christmas Day. Ruins Trail hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Peak season is from March until May.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers are hot. Carry water and have sun protection.
Temperatures may climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter -
snow may briefly blanket the area. High winds are possible with
below freezing wind chills from October to April.
Clothing: During the summer, light clothing is recommended.
Always carry rain gear and protection against the sun. During
the winter, wear warm clothing. Sturdy hiking boots, with good
ankle support, are also recommended when hiking the trails.
DIRECTIONS:
From Willcox drive southeast for 20 miles on State #186 to
the Fort Bowie turn off, then drive another eight miles on the
unpaved road to the Fort Bowie Trailhead. Be prepared to walk
the three miles round trip to the ruins and back to your car.
From the town of Bowie, the trailhead is located on Apache Pass
Road, 13 miles south.
The park is 116 miles east of Tucson via I-10, and 227 miles from
Phoenix.
MAP OF FORT BOWIE NHS (11k)
TRANSPORTATION:
Privately owned vehicle. There is no public transportation
to Fort Bowie. Airline service to Tucson (116 miles) and rental
cars are available.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
None.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Visitor center with historic exhibits, book sales on the
Apache campaign, the Butterfield mail route, and military
history during this period.
Lodging and camping facilities:
There is no camping or overnight facilities in the park.
Closest accommocations are in the towns of Bowie and Willcox.
Food/supplies:
No food services or gasoline are available. Closest services
are in the towns of Bowie and Willcox.
Accessibility:
Access to the fort is by a one and one-half mile trail (three
miles round trip), moderately strenuous. Special access for
mobility impaired visitors can be obtained by calling (520) 847-
2500 or by writing directly to the park.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
The hike in to the fort is part of the Fort Bowie experience.
Visitors can get a sense of the lonely isolation that the
soldiers experienced while stationed there. The trail also winds
past remains of a Butterfield Stage Coach Station, the post
cemetery, an Apache Wickiup, the Chiricahua Apache Indian Agency,
Apache Springs, the original fort and finally the more elaborate
Fort Bowie and the visitor center. A minimum of two hours is
recommended for the round trip visit.
While at the fort, visitors can tour the ruins of Fort Bowie,
view the exhibits inside the visitor center, bird watch, and hike
the trails.
Picnic facilities are located at the trailhead and the visitor
center.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Allow at least two hours for the tour. Return via the
overlook trail for great views of the fort and the battle site.
Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Chiricahua National Monument - offers hiking, picnicking,
camping, bird watching (21 mile drive); Coronado National
Memorial - offers hiking, picnicking (115 miles);
Tombstone/Bisbee - historic mining towns (120/140 miles); Fort
Huachuca Army Post at Sierra Vista (museum & exhibits) 105
miles); Rex Allen Museum in Willcox - memorabilia from cowboy
movies for the late 1940's - 1950's (30 miles); Steins (restored
ghost town) near AZ/New Mexico line (30 miles).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Call (520) 847-2500 or Park Headquarters at Chiricahua (520)
824-3560.
