Ruins of the fort with mountains and valley in the background.

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

National Historic Site ยท Arizona

NPS Photo/ Ron Stewart

๐Ÿ“ StateArizona
๐Ÿ›๏ธ TypeNational Historic Site
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ EntryFree
๐Ÿƒ Activities9
Official NPS Website โ†’
Fort Bowie

19th-century US Army outpost in Arizona

Fort Bowie was a 19th-century outpost of the United States Army located in southeastern Arizona near the present day town of Willcox, Arizona. The remaining buildings and site are now protected as Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

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.

Park Photos

Ruins of the fort with mountains and valley in the background.
Close up of a canon barrel
Ruins of adobe building under a blue sky with white clouds.
Ruined walls of the old buildings and mountains in the background
Black and white photo of white tombstones in a cemetery, mountains in the background
A group gathers as a ranger displays the heliograph equipment

Activities

Operating Hours

Trails and Ruins

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

Fort Bowie National Historic Site is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

Popular activities at Fort Bowie National Historic Site include: Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Shopping.

What is the weather like at Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

Weather at Fort Bowie National Historic Site varies by season. Check the official NPS website for the most current conditions before your visit.

How do I get to Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

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.

Entrance Fees

Free Admission

Directions

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.

๐Ÿ“ View on Google Maps โ†’

Location

State(s)
Coordinates32.1493, -109.4511

Official Resources

NPS Official Website