Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Fort Bowie Ruins

San Simon Valley can be seen just beyond the ruins of the cavalry barracks.

Fire pit and tent pad

Fort Bowie witnessed almost 25 years of conflict between the Chiricahua Apache and the US Army, and remains a tangible connection to the turbulent era of the late 1800s. Explore the history of Fort Bowie and Apache Pass as you hike to the visitor center and old fort ruins. Today, this peaceful landscape stands in stark contrast to the violence that once gripped this land.

Post Trader's Store

The Post Trader's store on a spring day.

Fort Bowie landscape and ruins

Fort Bowie was once a bustling frontier military fort. Today, the ruins offer a place of reflection.

Mountain howitzer

The mountain howitzer is a symbolic relic from the active days of Fort Bowie

Fort Bowie Cemetery

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.

Heliograph demonstration

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.

Fort Bowie Ruins

After the fort's abandonment in the late 1800s the unmaintained buildings slowly weathered until the 1950s when the park service acquired the site.

Fire pit and tent pad

Drive Way

Picnic Table

Tent Pad and Fire pit

Tent Pad and Fire Pit

RecAreaDirections

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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Facilities

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 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: http://www.nps.gov/fobo/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Recreation Areas and Campground Database