Chiricahua National Park poised to become Arizona's newest national park

Legislation to establish Chiricahua National Park in southeastern Arizona is expected to reach the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature following bipartisan support in Congress. If signed, the 19-square-mile site will become the 64th U.S. national park.

The area, known among Native Americans as the ‘Land of Standing-Up Rocks,’ was designated a national monument in the 1920s to protect volcanic rock spires. The proposed park is located within the historical territory of the Chiricahua Apache tribes. The legislation includes provisions to preserve tribal access for traditional ceremonies and allows for temporary public closures to protect these cultural uses.

Representative Juan Ciscomani, the House sponsor of the Chiricahua National Park Act, noted the landscape’s unique qualities. While the National Park Service has not confirmed if new staff will be hired to manage the anticipated increase in visitors, the designation follows a period of workforce reductions and shifting maintenance priorities within the agency.