Fort Bowie National Historic Site

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Heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday created extremely hazardous conditions on Apache Pass Road, the route to Fort Bowie Na...
09/30/2026

Heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday created extremely hazardous conditions on Apache Pass Road, the route to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Please do not attempt travel to the fort today, September 30, 2026. Do not cross flooded roads: turn around.

Learn more about Fort Bowie at www.nps.gov/fobo/.

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 co...

  in 1886: Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood, accompanied by Chiricahua Apache scouts Kayitah and Martine, made contact wit...
08/24/2026

in 1886: Lieutenant Charles B. Gatewood, accompanied by Chiricahua Apache scouts Kayitah and Martine, made contact with Geronimo in Mexico's Sierra Madre, opening negotiations that led to Geronimo's surrender less than two weeks later. Following the surrender, Geronimo and other Chiricahua Apache were brought to Fort Bowie before being transported east as prisoners of war.

The ruins of Fort Bowie National Historic Site tell the story of this military campaign and more. Plan your hike through history and learn more at nps.gov/fobo.

Photos: Public Domain/CS Fly, NPS

Happy August: National Water Quality Month!💧 Water shaped the history of Fort Bowie National Historic Site.Long before F...
08/08/2026

Happy August: National Water Quality Month!
💧 Water shaped the history of Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

Long before Fort Bowie, Apache Spring supported the Chiricahua Apache and travelers crossing southeastern Arizona. Because reliable water was so scarce, control of Apache Pass became strategically important, leading to the establishment of Fort Bowie.

Today, the small trickle of water at Apache Spring reminds us how fragile life in the desert can be — and how one small spring influenced the history of an entire region.

Take the 3-mile roundtrip hike into Fort Bowie National Historic Site to see the spring, its wildlife, and learn its history.

www.nps.gov/fobo

Photos: Apache Spring by Kate Dibildox courtesy of WNP.org

  in 1862: Fort Bowie was officially established at Apache Pass following the Battle of Apache Pass. Named for Colonel G...
07/28/2026

in 1862: Fort Bowie was officially established at Apache Pass following the Battle of Apache Pass. Named for Colonel George Washington Bowie, the fort was built to protect the strategic travel route through the pass and its vital water source, Apache Spring.

For more than 30 years, Fort Bowie played a significant role in the history of southeastern Arizona, serving as a military post during a period of profound change and conflict that shaped the region and the lives of the Chiricahua Apache, soldiers, settlers, and travelers alike.

Learn more about Fort Bowie National Historic Site and plan a visit at www.nps.gov/fobo.

Photos: Historic, NPS

On this day, June 8, in 1874, Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise died. As chief of the Chiricahua Apache people, he led hi...
06/08/2026

On this day, June 8, in 1874, Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise died. As chief of the Chiricahua Apache people, he led his people through years of conflict before helping negotiate a hard-won peace. His passing marked the end of a short period of relative peace for the Chiricahua people. Today, his legacy as a skilled leader and negotiator is remembered across Cochise County.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/fobo/learn/historyculture/the-chiricahua-apache.htm

As summer heat settles across Arizona, stop by the visitor centers at Chiricahua National Monument (open daily) and Fort Bowie National Historic Site (open weekends) to learn more about this history and explore the landscapes connected to Cochise and the Chiricahua Apache people.

Discover the stories of Fort Bowie from the best seat in the canyon—the Visitor Center porch!Join our knowledgeable volu...
03/17/2026

Discover the stories of Fort Bowie from the best seat in the canyon—the Visitor Center porch!

Join our knowledgeable volunteers for Porch Talks at 11 am and 1 pm Saturdays and Sundays through April. These short programs explore the people, events, and cultures that shaped this historic place.

Whether you take the short walk up from the accessible parking area or enjoy the 3-mile round-trip Hike Through History to reach the visitor center, you're sure to have a memorable experience.

Learn more and check for updates at nps.gov/fobo

From all of us at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, we hope your holidays are fortified with joy, good health, and a we...
12/24/2025

From all of us at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, we hope your holidays are fortified with joy, good health, and a well-earned ceasefire from stress!

The visitor center is open Sundays and Mondays this season, but the ruins, trail, restrooms, and passport stamp are open and available.

Address

3500 South Apache Pass Road
Bowie, AZ
85605

Opening Hours

Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday 8:30am - 4pm
Sunday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+15208472500

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