Exploring Historic Fort Bowie

Fort Bowie National Historic Site is located in Bowie, Arizona and is absolutely free to visit. Fort Bowie trails and ruins are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Leashed pets are allowed on all trails.

The Fort Bowie and Apache Pass site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places on July 29, 1972. Today it is managed by the National Park Service.

Fort Bowie was established in 1862 and was abandoned in 1894. The fort was named in honor of Colonel George Washington Bowie.

It was built to protect the U.S. Mail route and settlers heading west. The fort served as the base of operations during the Apache Wars and the conflict between the Chiricahua Apache and the US Army for almost 30 years.

To reach the fort you must a hike the 1.5 mile trail which begins at the trailhead at Apache Pass Road.

It’s a pretty easy hike through the desert grasslands. You will pass through desert shrubs and juniper trees. Keep an eye out for wildlife that can range anywhere from a tiny lizard to a mighty cougar.

Along the trail there are a number of displays and exhibits containing information on the history of the region.

During your hike you will pass by the ruins of the Apache Pass Butterfield Overland Stage Station, the site of the first Fort Bowie, the battle site of the 1862 Battle of Apache Pass, and Apache Spring.

During your excursion you also get the opportunity to visit the Fort Bowie Post Cemetery. The cemetery actually predates the building of the fort. We are big fans of old cemeteries (I know we strange) and this was my favorite part.

Soldiers, military dependents, civilian employees, mail carriers and emigrants were all buried here. Three apache children, including Geronimo’s two-year-old son, were also laid to rest in this cemetery.

In March 1895, after the forts closure, all the officers, enlisted men, military dependents and unknowns buried here were moved to the National Cemetery in San Francisco. Today 23 civilian graves are all that remain. You can learn more about all these individuals here.

The visitor center is open 7 days a week, 8:30 am- 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (hours may vary depending on the season). Bathrooms, drinking water and a gift shop are all located at the visitors center.

Inside the visitor center you will find a collection of historic artifacts that have been found at the ruins. Exhibits include cultural items from Indigenous people that lived in this area and military artifacts from the fort.

I mentioned earlier it was a pretty easy hike and it is, except for one little section. After checking out the ruins and visitor center you can return the way you came, an easy hike, or take a little side trail behind the visitor center.

This part of the trail is pretty steep, but it takes you to the top of the hill that gives you an amazing birds eye view of the entire Fort Bowie ruins. Also the views on this part of the trail are pretty sweet all the way to the point where it meets the original trail again. I highly recommend this route.

Also, Fort Bowie National Historic Site is part of the I Hike for Health program. This hiking challenge is open to everyone and free. Complete a 3 mile hike within the park, the round-trip distance for this place, and receive a Fort Bowie National Historic Site pin.

Get your pin at the visitor center and learn more about the challenge here. I picked one up and it’s a nice little keepsake of your visit.

If history is your thing and you’re in the area I would make some time during your trip to visit the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Jamey is a huge history buff, especially when it comes to military history, and spent a lot of time exploring the ruins and had a great time.

The pets and I enjoyed the hike and visitor center and had a lot of fun. Don’t get me wrong, I liked exploring the ruins as well, but all the stops along the hike as well made the whole visit that much better.