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National Historic Site · Arizona

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

National Historic Site in Arizona. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Site
StateArizona
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkChiricahua (11 mi)
Closest airportSVC (83 mi)
Ruins of the fort with mountains and valley in the background.
Like so many forts and settlements in the West, little remains of the outpost that once housed hundreds of soldiers. Photo: NPS Photo

Fort Bowie National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Arizona.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • 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.
  • Fort Bowie Junior Ranger Program (30 to 60 Minutes): Become a Junior Ranger at Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Books are available at the park visitor center.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 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.

Getting there

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Grant County Airport (SVC) Silver City, NM No road route 83 Regional
Tucson International Airport (TUS) Tucson, AZ No road route 87 Large hub
Las Cruces International Airport (LRU) Las Cruces, NM No road route 148 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Fort Bowie National Historic Site Visitor Center: Mon 8:30AM - 4:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 8:30AM - 4:00PM; Sat 8:30AM - 4:00PM; Sun 8:30AM - 4:00PM. The visitor center bathrooms and passport stamp are always available. Come during business hours to enjoy the exhibits and park store. The bathroom, passport stamp, and drinking fountain are available outside at all times.

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Chiricahua, about 11 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

No entrance fee.

Where is Fort Bowie National Historic Site?

In Arizona. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Grant County Airport, about 83 miles away.

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