Directions

Looking northeast on Apache Pass Road (travelling from Chiricahua National Monument) during monsoon season. If there is flowing water across the road--turn around, don't drown.

NPS/A.Huston

To the Trailhead by Car

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.

From Lordsburg, NM / points east on I-10: Drive 50 miles west of Lordsburg on Interstate 10 to 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.

From Chiricahua National Monument: take highway 181 west to the junction of highway 186 and turn right/north. Follow 186 to Apache Pass Rd and turn right onto the unpaved road. Follow Apache Pass Rd for 8 miles to the Fort Bowie trailhead.

The park is 116 miles east of Tucson, AZ via I-10, and 227 miles from Phoenix, AZ.

By Plane
Major airports are in Tucson (120 miles) or Phoenix (240 miles). Several rental car companies are available at each one.

 

The Hike In

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. Interpretive signs along the way help explain and illustrate the historical importance of this mountain pass in the decades-long conflict between the US Military and Apache people in the late 1800s. If you're unable to hike to the visitor center, please visit our accessibility page.

 

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