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.

[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.

[stephenzeoli]

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

[winkoch]

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!

[zombieheadpopper]

You kiddo is looking like he always having a blast. Man-o-man, some of the things he has seen and learned must be incredible.
Love these videos. Oh, man-o-man, the things I have learned...Thanks

[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.

[billbreeding]

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

[brianbarney]

I wholeheartedly agree with your statement that more signs with period photos should be placed at points of interest in our National Parks/Monuments. They add life to what can otherwise be a fairly sterile historical site. My family did the Chilcoot Trail June 1976 (we were the first party over the pass that year) and the photo signs were a wonderful addition to the trip even though we had all read Klondike Nights years earlier. Also the stuff left behind by the people heading for the Klondike in 1898(?) left a tale of hardship and poor planning by itself.
Thanks for your hard work on these videos, they are very enjoyable.

[Jackins]

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

[NikColyerMachineWorks]

BTW, I love your adventures. I'm at the age where even a mile walk is out of the question, but through you I still get to explore the southwest. Thanks!

[janblake]

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.

[pattybryd]

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.

[billmcroberts]

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.

[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

[earlharvey]

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

[craigwall]

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.

[Steve-qwll]

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

[paveltolz]

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.

[thegarz]

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

[andresabingg]

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

[keithwinters]

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