NEW NATIONAL PARK
Arizona's "land of standing-up rocks"
Photo: Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
OCT. 20, 2026
The Chiricahua National Park Act was signed into law, upgrading a monument protected since 1924.
BY THE NUMBERS
About 12,000 acres near Willcox, Arizona. The first new national park in about six years.
THE ROCKS
A huge eruption left welded ash called rhyolite. Wind and water carved it into spires and balanced rocks.
Photo: w_lemay / CC BY-SA 2.0
SKY ISLAND
Desert, grassland and pine forest on one mountain range, with rare birds, coatis and some of the darkest night skies in the Southwest.
HISTORY
The park preserves thousands of years of history, from the Apache to the homesteaders of Faraway Ranch.
MUST DO
Bonita Canyon Drive climbs about eight miles to the classic overlook across the spires.
Photo: Ken Bosma / CC BY 2.0
BEST HIKES
Echo Canyon is a moderate loop among the spires. Heart of Rocks is the big day hike to Big Balanced Rock.
PLAN AHEAD
Services are limited and cell signal is patchy. Download maps, carry water and book the campground early.
Photo: w_lemay / CC BY-SA 2.0
WHEN TO GO
Summer brings heat and monsoon storms; winter can ice the high trails. Go soon, before the crowds find it.
VISITOR GUIDE
Address, phone, trails, camping and what the new park status changes.
nexgenheadlines.com
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (credits on each page)