Chiricahua Becomes America’s Newest National Park

The U.S. is celebrating its 64th national park. Where is the latest addition to the country's impressive network of national parks located? Here is what you need to know.

Chiricahua National Monument is Now Chiricahua National Park

Chiricahua National Park officially became the country's 64th national park on Tuesday. Located in the southeastern corner of Arizona near the community of Willcox, this is now the state's fourth national park.

This part of Arizona had been protected as a national monument of the same name for over 100 years. President Donald Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act into law, completing the transition from a national monument to a national park.

The park has often been described as a "Wonderland of Rocks" in reference to the dominant rock spires that soar into the air. The area is also home to several balanced rock formations that were created after a volcanic eruption believed to have happened about 27 million years ago.

Stretching across about 12,000 acres, the sprawling park is home to wildlife such as black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, bats, golden eagles, falcons, and various reptiles. The region also boasts a storied cultural history with strong roots in the Indigenous peoples of Arizona.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum marked the occasion with a press release that said: “Chiricahua’s towering rock spires, rich Apache heritage, and remarkable biodiversity make it one of America’s most extraordinary landscapes."

President Calvin Coolidge designated the site as a national monument on April 18, 1924. This designation helped to preserve the rich history of the Chiricahua Apache and Faraway Ranch.

While the site had been under federal protection as a national monument since 1924, many political leaders and environmental groups had recently pushed for it to become an official national park. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly noted on Tuesday that “Today is a historic day for Arizona. Making Chiricahua a national park has been a priority of mine since I first came to the Senate, so I’m thrilled this day has finally arrived.” Kelly has served in the Senate since December of 2020.

The Democratic senator and former astronaut also recognized the bipartisan effort needed to push through the legislation. In a press release, Kelly said that “A bipartisan effort from the start, this is a win for the communities in southeastern Arizona and for everyone who worked to protect this extraordinary place so our kids and our grandkids can enjoy it.”

About America's Latest National Park

According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), the site boasts 17 miles of trails waiting to be explored. Visitors who prefer to drive can explore the eight-mile scenic road that winds up to Massai Point. Sweeping views of the landscape greet visitors at the top of this viewing area. The NPS describes the site as a "sky island," referencing the joining together of desert, grassland, and lush forests.

The park is also distinguished as being an official Dark Sky Park. This international recognition is bestowed on select parts of the world with the darkest skies. Astronomy enthusiasts head to these sites because of the lack of light pollution.

Chiricahua joins three other national parks in Arizona. These parks are the Saguaro National Park, the Petrified Forest National Park, and the iconic Grand Canyon National Park. “Chiricahua has been part of the National Park System for more than a century, and this new designation marks an exciting chapter in its history,” said NPS official Jessica Bowron.

The last site to be recognized as a national park was in December of 2020 when West Virginia welcomed the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This 70,000-acre park in the Mountain State is nestled along the New River.

The NPS explains that "A national monument is intended to preserve at least one nationally significant resource. It is usually smaller than a national park and lacks its diversity of attractions." The agency goes on to note that "Generally, a national park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources."

The transition of Chiricahua from a national monument to a national park came as a surprise to some critics of the Trump administration. The White House has made several attempts over the last two years to disrupt the function of the NPS. For example, The New York Times reported last year that budget cuts by the Trump administration left at least 20% of these parks understaffed. It has also been reported that the White House is in talks to give a parcel of land in Yosemite National Park to a private developer.

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