Visiting Fort Bowie National Historic Site in Arizona

Fort Bowie National Historic Site is pretty unique in America's National Park System. Located in Southeastern Arizona, Fort Bowie can only be visited on foot (with exceptions for people unable to physically hike to the site), with a mile and a half hike to get to the ruins of the fort and the park's visitor center. But the hike really adds to the experience as you get to see where so much history happened on your journey. On the hike to Fort Bowie, you see where the Bascom Affair happened (which started over two decades of war between the U.S. and the Apaches), the old post cemetery, the location of the Battle of Apache Pass, ruins of a Butterfield Overland Stage Station, Apache Springs, and of course the Fort Bowie ruins. Not to mention you can stand in the same spots that legends of the American west such as Cochise and Geronimo once stood.
Visiting Fort Bowie National Historic Site is well worth the trip and a great way to spend half a day.
For more information on the Bascom Affair check out this article by DesertUSA: www.desertusa.com/ind1/Cochis...
►Please subscribe for weekly updates showcasing some of our adventures: / @sidetrackadventures
►Also please follow Sidetrack Adventures on Instagram: / sidetrackadventures
►And please follow Sidetrack Adventures on Twitter: / sidetrackadvent

[@kirbycairo]

Thanks for keeping physically challenged people in mind when you talk about these things. Most people forget that some of us can't make such hikes.

[@stevetaylor8298]

Thank you too, I couldn't make the walk.

[@shable1436]

You just need some volunteer to help you get there, I think there's a way to link up on Facebook

[@billbreeding797]

Well done. 73 years in southern Arizona & have yet to visit this site. On my bucket list. God Bless America

[@Jackins1956]

You did a great job in showing the trail to the site. I live a few miles south of there @ Turkey Creek.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it. It is such a beautiful area.

[@bongomakers]

Visited there in 2007 on horseback riding the butterfield stage route. It was cold and getting pelted with sleet made it even more memorable. Will never forget that ride.

[@nesleinf]

As a foreigner I often wonder what people did out in such hostile enviroments in former days? Now I have seen several of your (exellent) videos from the outback in the deserts and find it difficult to imagine how people could sustain a living out there. Thank you for bringing us the real wild west to our screen in contrast to the romantic vision you get from the cowboy and indian moovies. Love from Denmark

[@janblake9468]

I visited Ft. Bowie in the 1960's when it was still private ranch land. One had to trespass to get there on a rough road. The ruins were quite overgrown then with brush. I didn't know about the miner's cabin and stage station so you taught me additional history. Thanks.

[@shable1436]

Same ppl who sold water Rights? That's despicable

[@winkoch5348]

Visited the site in winter of 2005. Still looks much as I remember it. When we got to the ranger station, an unexpected cold front hit with wind, freezing rain & snow! A taste of what they must have experienced. Toured the museum and listened to the rangers until the storm passed. Thanks for this!

[@thegarz1963]

Thanks for these informative videos. My wife and I enjoy them immensely. Glad to see your son and wife enjoying your trips-reminds me of my son at that age -he’s 31 now-time flies! Greetings from El Centro, CA

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for watching. My dad took me all over the place as a kid so just trying to do the same.

[@Steve-qw8ll]

Nice job narrating. If I’m ever in the area I would definitely go.

[@KissFromTheWorld]

"Fort Bowie is in many ways a site of conoscience, a place to reflect on the events of the past, inclusing some of the darker moments." Cheers, Domenico.

[@paveltolz6601]

Been up there a couple of times but always took the cut off and drove in (friend can't walk far). Always an enjoyable place to visit, especially at sunrise or set. The lighting on the old walls is fantastic.

[@earlharvey7887]

I lived in Cochise County for 2 years & went to Fort Bowie several times...it's always worth the effort

[@stephenzeoli8117]

Fort Bowie is one of my favorite historic sites, but it has been years since I've visited. Thanks for taking me back there.

[@pattybryd7228]

A friend and I hiked to these ruins in 2000. It was an awesome experience. We saw the spring, the stage station, a cabin, and the Fort Bowie ruins. When we parked at the trailhead, there were two park rangers there who warned us a mountain lion had been spotted in the area. But they said we should be okay because there had been plenty for it to eat. I almost backed out of doing the hike but my friend encouraged me on. I was on guard the whole hike in and out, but thankfully we never saw or heard a big cat.

[@keithwinters3031]

Want to go. Fascinating times. History, barriers pushed. Proud resilience of the native population. Great vid.

[@billmcroberts6566]

Steve, thank you for all the time you spend researching, filming and editing. We live in South Carolina and will probably never see any of these places you explore and share with us all. We’ve visited all 50 states, but your videos only highlight how much we missed. Thanks again.

[@royalmarkreif7446]

I've been there it's awesome 👍

[@markperkovich992]

Good job!

[@antonioperez2623]

Fantastic video and hope to visit the site. I'm a recent subscriber and truly enjoy your channel.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Awesome, thank you!

[@shooter31m]

You guys do a great job with your videos and I enjoy them very much, I watch them on my lunch breaks. LOL I hope you and your family keep safe as you continue to make more videos.

[@Macarena22279]

Hot 🔥 day there!... drank out of the spring.... incredible history

[@remaguire]

I was driving east on I-10 back in 2020 when I saw the sign for Fort Bowie and decided sure I'll stop for a short visit! Didn't happen! I admit that I was annoyed as I drove and drove and drove on the road to the parking lot and then saw that I had to do the 1.5 mile hike, but... Ultimately it turned into one of the best visits I ever had to a national park. Walking on the trail to the fort's ruins was like going back in time 150 years. Better yet, during my time there, I was the only person in the park. Not one other person. I could feel the solitude of the place and the loneliness of the soldiers stationed there. I remember reading that, at least in the early days of the fort, it took 2 weeks of travel to reach "civilization". And that soldiers were there on short tours of duty. The isolation got to them. On the way back, I took the "high trail" which starts behind the visitor's center (which was closed when I was there.). I remember being annoyed again when I got to the top of the first hill and saw the parking lot of what I guess is the other visitor's center below the fort's ruins. I thought about it, though, and decided that without the hike the visit would just not have been as memorable. If you pass the exit for Fort Bowie off I-10 I highly recommend that you take it, hike and all.

[@andresabingg3390]

I was there in 1973. Greatly improved but even then great historical place. Thanks for your video.

[@georgelord7643]

Great video. I have relatives whose family are from Bowie and I have heard stories recently about the fort and the walk to see the ruins. This video allowed me to witness the scenes as I could no longer do the walk. Thanks for the experience!

[@rodhoover9158]

Very well done. Thank you.

[@carlsowell8099]

Another awesome adventure! Thank You so very much.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

This is one of my favorites...thank you.

[@bwhog]

Man, you really do a good job shooting this stuff. I'd love to know more about the things you use.

[@craigwall5356]

Steve, you consistently have us going to the most interesting places. Great variety and lots of detail and substance in your adventures. I have always enjoyed the human interest angle to all of these stories. If it weren't for these, sometimes goofy, opportunistic, or desperate people, there be no Sidetrack Adventures. Their stories is the fascinating part. Please keep up the good work. You are the most consistently interesting guy out there.

[@meekymango]

Great video thanks

[@j.d.peppmeier9041]

I hope to visit Ft. Bowie someday !

[@ctlilbit]

One of my favorite Arizona historical spots. Thank you.

[@kobalt77]

What a wonderful presentation, well done and thank you very much.

[@That1_CopDude]

So glad I found this channel. I get to explore Amerika with your videos.

[@joewonsettler6439]

Thanks, that was a great job of describing Ft Bowie. We were there about five years ago and your tour was just as we remembered it.

[@carlhacker6852]

Nice!!!!

[@c.keefer332]

Very well done!!

[@robertspecht1911]

Thank you for the historic review of Fort Bowie.

[@TucsonArizona]

So much cool history. Thank you for sharing about this amazing place!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@elaineburch5397]

Thank you for the video and information I love almost everything about the old west.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@beyond_civilization]

Really cool place. Thanks for the ride!

[@joetorrey6922]

Amazing

[@43cdb]

Well done. Informative, interesting, subtle music, nicely edited

[@WyomingTraveler]

Really enjoyed your video. I want to visit the Fort Bowie site and after watching your video, I even more interested in getting there. Thanks for the tour.

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks! For the very informative Commentary about Ft. Bowie and it's historic interactions with the Apache Indians. My great grandfather, William Whelan, had some interactions with the fort and was the Arizona territories first senior agent for the nearby Butterfield stage route service near Ft. Bowie.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's a pretty cool connection. The Butterfield Stage Route has so much interesting history despite only being around a short time.

[@deetrvl4life875]

excellent presentation! Well done.

[@williamdavis3609]

I have been there, a nice interesting hike and good site to visit.

[@charleyfolkes]

Thanks for the video! Your son seems to love these trips too- I agree, the photo plaques with the ‘then and now’ opportunity really add to it, especially when you consider you are standing right where these historical figures stood.To imagine that .. The Tombstone side of the Chiricahua’s are also beautiful and interesting especially going up to Cochise Stronghold.

[@paulvinzant4809]

I was there in the late 70's early 80's. The rough dirt road had a large spot graded in the road for parking and a small sign with an arrow saying Fort Bowie. Way off in the distance one could see the ruins if it was a clear day. Thanks for the video. It is good the park service has developed it so well. The Chirachuas are a favorite area of mine.

[@frankdawe5156]

Wow! I am Canadian, with a tremendous interest in American history. Thanks for this extremely informative video. I have relatives in Arizona whom we plan to visit as soon as the Covid restrictions are lifted, and you have just added another site to my bucket list. Needless to say, I subscribed. Please keep these great videos coming.

[@wingrider687]

You do a great job on your videos!

[@dorothylewis1207]

Loved this video, love Native American history. Just found you and I subscribed.

[@TheWayfinder]

Thanks for giving us great stop ideas for our cross country trip we are planning. We are going to need some entertaining sites for our kids along the way and your videos are perfect! Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@jcwandering-sharingourstory]

Good job, we did that hike last year. Nice to see you took the ridge trail on the way back. Awesome views from up there.

[@DM-lc2cf]

Great video. I haven't been there in a long time, makes me want to visit again.

[@jonathanlee5185]

thanks 👍

[@isabelsanchez5448]

hey, just love your educational videos!!!!!!!

[@elizabethbogle3533]

I love your videos. There are so many places I wish I could visit, but can't.

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[@jjarm]

Awesome presentation. I sure enjoyed the history lesson. I’m betting many a western movie was based on the actual experiences around this fort. Nice work, and y’all got a nice walk in it to boot!

[@user-vo8ps5kd3r]

Great place to visit for history buffs. Not only the fort but stage coach relay station remnants. If staying in Tucson or Benson it is an all day adventure. I was there 2/23. Enjoy.

[@discostew115]

Loved it

[@charlielaudico3523]

Any history lesson is good!

[@shjones27]

Nice narration job! :)

[@DreamcastQ]

I own land near there and can agree with everything you said in this video. Love the channel keep it up

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. Coincidentally, Yesterday afternoon I saw the western movie 'Fort Bowie starring Ben Johnso. 🤗

[@hfirm9897]

Thx! new to you and very enjoy your channel.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@jackhana7374]

A great video, thx. I have taken the hike and loved it. One complaint....it is the Medal of Honor......NOT the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[@Rockfan10001]

Thanks you sir, for a great tour! I have been wanting to visit. I have heard about the dirt road to the parking, which I was told was about 5 miles. This lets me understand a little better of what to expect. BTW - I visited the Tom Mix Memorial last weekend from another one of your videos. It is near St. Anthony's Greek Monastery off Route 89, which I highly recommend.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The trail from the parking area is only about a mile and a half each way and there isn't much in the way of elevation gain. There's a lot along the trail to look at too, so you hardly notice the distance.

[@GoDomonero]

Wow nice

[@malimish]

We had little kids during our visit a few years back and they let us park at the employees parking lot by the visitors center. Also this site has some very spooky stories associated with it. We chatted with some locals (Dwayne from Dwayne's Fresh Jerky right up in the town of Bowie, Arizona) and also a park ranger who told us their unique and unexplained encounters on the site. Very cool place to visit for sure. You can hear Dwayne talk about their spooky stories if you search our channel for our Fort Bowie video.

[@alevine1951]

After watching several of your vids had to sub today. If like most you've never heard of or visited Big Hole National Battlefield, it would certainly be worth your time and a post if you're ever near there. Visiting the tragic scene gave me chills and goosebumps.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I just saw the stamp in an old National Park Passport from when I was a kid, but I don't remember going at all. I definitely would like to check it out. Hoping to get up to that area of the country soon.

[@user-hi8sv2um7g]

Thanks for this video-very interesting! Regarding the photo you show of a young Indian posing with his wife and holding a gun; that is actually Naiche, second son of Cochise. Cochise’s first son, Taza, died in Washington D.C. while on a government sponsored trip to the east coast. Upon Cochise’s death Naiche became the hereditary chief of the Chiricahua band. Geronimo was a medicine man and a war leader, but Naiche was the chief. They fought together until their surrender and were taken to Fort Bowie where he can be seen in an old photo standing with Geronimo. Naiche, Geronimo and the remains of the Chiricahua band were imprisoned in Florida and eventually at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Interestingly, Naiche converted to Christianity while at Fort Sill. He was eventually allowed to live his final years with the Mescalero band of Apaches on their reservation in New Mexico, where he died in 1911, if I remember correctly.

[@pattybryd7228]

I knew that photo was of Naiche as well. I've seen it several times in books about the Apaches. I've read that there are no photographs or drawings of Cochise.

[@yourstupid666]

Hey nice video. I like the new “this spot in history signs “ I’ve got one of Geronimo in a specific spot that I tracked down that’s better than the one the park had up. Let me know and I can point you to it as well as the old photo.

[@elizabethbogle3533]

Not everyone knows that Geronimo loved collecting hats. I read about it in an old West themed magazine on the early 70s.

[@timburnett6729]

Nice vid bro

[@YahshuaLovesMe]

tragedy, so sad. I knew Nachise's grandson, he was part Dutch, with blond hair and an Indian/NA. profile, handsome kid... Hey Kelly! it's me, girl we hitch hiked to la, if you read this, pray for you always!

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

The book, Butterfield Overland Mail, tells a quick story of a newspaper journalist's ride on the first west bound mail stage from Saint Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA. That company had won a Government contract to carry mail and heavier packages compared to the Pony Express horseback riders on an easier route. Of course, there were surveying trips to find the route, road-building, the stage stops, horses, meals for men & animals. All told, a "significant step" in bringing civilization across the Southwest. When the Civil War (ha ha) broke out, both Pony Express and Butterfield Overland ceased operations in order to minimize government mail interception. I'll have to visit Fort Bowie.

[@wespenn7243]

Awesome place to visit. Did the hike in 2017? Took lots of pictures on my phone, unfortunately, being a Baby Boomer and tech challenged, I lost all of the pics when changing phones. You definitely hit the highlights! Highly recommend the hike.

[@curtismes]

and btw Geronimo was not "captured" but once by John Clum and his Apache scouts....he was talked into surrendering 3 times by Crook and Miles...the last surrender in 1886 to General Miles at Skeleton Canyon was the one the Picture was made after...he was promised 2 yrs in Florida then a return to the San Carlos reservation which was part of his homeland...instead they sent him to Ft Sill for the rest of his life.

[@IEchuckie]

White man lie

[@jackhana7374]

I loved this hike.....but my wife was pissed that I took it alone. She’s right....but I’m glad I took it🤪😀😀😀

[@neilpk70]

Looks like an awesome hike, but this northern Canadian wonders what varieties of venomous creepy crawlies are in the vicinity.😄

[@OffRoadOverlandCamping]

This is another cool place to visit. Went there in Janurary 2022. If you like this place, check out Fort Churchhill too on the Pony Express.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Fort Churchill is on my list. I was near there a couple years ago when we did Highway 50 but it was still closed because of the pandemic so I didn't get a chance to check it out.

[@OffRoadOverlandCamping]

@@SidetrackAdventures You should get off roading. There are tons of cool places you can check out that you can't reach in a car. A lot of the places you talk on, I've been there with off roading group.

[@ralphm5801]

Disappointed you left out Tom Jeffords agency ruins established after Cochise made peace. Definitely one of the most interesting things I liked when I visited there.

[@strokerace5468]

Cool

[@lesliegriffith9830]

Great video! Have you ever visited Ft. Union in New Mexico?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I haven't been there yet.

[@MrTunetracker]

One comment. There is no existing verified picture of Cochise. Loved the video as I have had a lifelong interest in Cochise and the Apache wars.

[@edwiser3547]

Your videos have inspired me to explore out west. Do you know of any similar channels that explore historic sites in the east? I am in Florida.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I don't know of any in the east unfortunately.

[@joegraves6891]

There are no known photos of Cochise. The photo you used is actually the Chiricahua Apache warior, and later scout for the army, Chato. The second photo you label as Cochise is actually Cochise's youngest son Naiche, who fought with Geronimo until the final Surrender, in September of 1886.

[@jimmymcgrath8133]

No pictures were ever taken of Cochise. The pictures are. To him.

[@HikeBikeWalkRide]

When we arrived, there, wasn’t anyone there to unlock the gate for the handicapped person to enter. Phone number was provided and we did car, but there was no reply. It’s an amazing site, but lower your expectations if you have physical handicaps.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I wonder if they were understaffed.

[@davidelack8809]

another cool place to visit is Ft Mcdowell outside Phx. unfortunately it is in extreme decline

[@donklaing]

I expected to see more remnants of the forts building and walls. Did they just disintegrate?

[@bethbartlett5692]

They need a tram for the return trek.

[@marilenejonez2561]

Wahhh!!

[@aclipted]

interesting

[@anthonybaroni3285]

I'm unclear on who actually kidnapped Bascom's stepson?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Tonto Apaches kidnapped him, but the Chiricahua Apaches (who were lead by Cochise) were blamed. Even though both groups were called Apache, they are different tribes.

[@anthonybaroni3285]

@@SidetrackAdventures now I understand. Thank you for explaining.

[@IEchuckie]

Indians

[@MrLiangyuwei]

Uh i drove to Fort Bowie. Didnt have to hike in

[@mb1449]

A tip for the future. There is no such thing as the Congressional Medal of Honor. It's simply the Medal of Honor.

[@curtismes]

Cochise and his warriors captured the Stagecoach coming into the station...6 Mexican teamsters and 2 American drivers...Cochise tied the Mexicans to the wagon wheels and set them on fire...Bascomb hung Cochises brother and nephew but let his wife and sister go...Cochise fled when more soldiers arrived and killed the American drivers on the way out...and thus started the Apache Wars...General Oliver O Howard road into Cochises camp several yrs later led by Cochises white best friend Tom Jeffords...whom had been a Butterfield Stagecoach Manager....Howard and Cochise agreed to a peace treaty and Cochise honored that treaty until his death...Cochises sons were also charged by their father with honoring that treaty but Taza the eldest died in Washington DC of Pneumonia after meeting with President Grant...Naiche the youngest fell under the influence of Geronimo and surrendered with him in 1886 and was shipped off to Florida...

[@sidclark1953]

poor Apaches