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.
Photo: NPS Photo
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.
- LocationBowie, AZ
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
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Weather now75°F Sunny
- Alerts 2 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Birds
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Forts
- Freshwater Springs
- Groundwater
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Military
3 more topics
- Native American Heritage
- US Army
- Wars and Conflicts
Alerts (2)
InformationButterfield Trail closed to horses and pack animals.
The trail remains open for hiking and foot traffic. For more information, see our policy page.
InformationFort 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… Read more
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 for your understanding and continued support!
Things to Do
2 experiences from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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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.
Learn more about Birding at Fort Bowie on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program
Become a Junior Ranger at Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Books are available at the park visitor center.
Learn more about Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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Activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Fort Bowie National Historic Site Visitor Center
Facility
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 Fort Bowie are best understood via…
3327 S Old Fort Bowie Rd, Bowie, AZ (520) 549-6751 Directions
Details
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 Fort Bowie are best understood via a 3-mile roundtrip hike from the trailhead on Apache Pass Road to the visitor center and Second Fort Ruins. For those who cannot hike the trail visit our directions page for more info: https://www.nps.gov/fobo/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Trails and Ruins
Hours details
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Trails and RuinsDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
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.
Monday Sunrise to Sunset Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset Thursday Sunrise to Sunset Friday Sunrise to Sunset Saturday Sunrise to Sunset Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
3500 South Apache Pass RoadBowie, AZ 85605
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
75°F
Sunny · feels like 65°
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Today
77° 60°
Sunny3% rain
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Tomorrow
77° 59°
Sunny3% rain
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Sunday
79° 62°
Sunny1% rain
Updated 25 min ago
Upcoming Events
1 coming up-
Sun Fun!
About
Stop by the Fort Bowie National Hisotric Site Visitor Center at 10:00 AM for a two‑hour peek at our nearest star through a specially equipped solar telescope. Watch the Sun come to life as you safely view sunspots, dancing prominences, and swirling solar textures—all while park rangers share cool facts and fiery stories about our amazing star. It’s bright, it’s bold, and it’s a blast… literally!
Photos
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The Post Trader's store on a spring day. — NPS Photo -
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Getting There
Bowie, AZ 85605
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.
Full directions
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.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 158, Bowie, AZ 85605
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