 | Chiricahua National Monument Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 3 of 3 |  |
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Other Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (3) The ruins of Ft. Bowie, located in the 5,000 foot Aache Pass preserves the remains of a military fort. This Fort was active during the wars between the Chiricahua Apache Indians and the Americans who were expanding westward. The fort was the central point of military operations, which in 1886 ended with the surrender of Geronimo, the most famous of all the Apache leaders. This surrender also brought the Indian Wars in the United States to a close. This area will help you to learn about the history of the Apache Wars where the advancing settlers clashed with the American Indians who were fighting to preserve their own way of life. The fort lies about 22 miles away from Chiricahua. You will have to hike into the fort along a one-way 1.5 trail, which is open sunrise to sunset. The Fort Bowie trailhead and parking area is located on the non-paved, but graded Apache Pass Road which comes off of highway 186 between Willcox and Chiricahua. For those with disabilities, that makes walking difficult call the number listed below. Leave a Comment
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This example of an Apache Wickup Camp may be seen along the 1.5-mile trail to the ruins of Fort Bowie. From the early 1400s this area of Arizona was the home of the Chiricahua Apaches. They were a nomadic people, hunting large game and gathering edible plants. The Apache people were feared by neighboring tribes as they were excellent warriors. After 1821 when settlers and miners began to move into Apache lands the Apache Wars began. They raided many pioneer settlements, killing many settlers, but people still kept coming. Leave a Comment
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When I state that Fort Bowie preserve the remains, or describes them as ruins, that is what they are. There are no complete buildings remaining of the original fort as the photo shows. The only complete building is the visitor center that has been built nearby the ruins. Here there is an excellent small display that will help you to understand the history of the area as well as bathrooms, and an onsite ranger to answer your questions. Leave a Comment
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on May 9, 2005
