World · North America · 8 hrs ago
Chiricahua becomes Arizona’s fourth national park
Chiricahua National Monument is now a national park after President Donald Trump signed a redesignation law on October 20.
The site is in southeastern Arizona, about 120 miles east of Tucson, and is the state’s fourth national park.
Its landscape of towering rock spires formed after an ancient volcanic eruption, and the area has historical ties to the Chiricahua Apache people.
President Calvin Coolidge made it a national monument in 1924, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded it in 1938.
The new status recognizes a place with geological, historical and natural value and could bring more visitors and economic opportunity to the region, according to supporters.
The redesignation comes as National Park Service staffing and maintenance face cuts, and officials have ranked some work at Chiricahua as a low priority.
President Donald Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act into law on October 20, 2026, redesignating Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona as Chiricahua National Park.
Chiricahua is the 64th U.S. national park and Arizona’s fourth.
The Senate approved the act on September 30, following a bipartisan effort by Arizona lawmakers.
The park is known for volcanic rock spires and has historical ties to the Chiricahua Apache people.
Sources differ on the park’s area: one reports 12,000 acres, while another says 19 square miles.
- Who
- President Donald Trump signed the act; Arizona lawmakers from both parties backed the redesignation.
- What
- Chiricahua National Monument was redesignated as Chiricahua National Park, the 64th U.S. national park.
- When
- October 20, 2026. The Senate approved the act on September 30, 2026.
- Where
- Southeastern Arizona, in Cochise County.
- Why
- The act redesignated the monument as a national park. Supporters said the change would protect the site and bring more visitors and economic opportunity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
President Calvin Coolidge established Chiricahua National Monument.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the monument.
The Senate approved the bill to redesignate Chiricahua as a national park.
President Donald Trump signed the act into law, making Chiricahua a national park.
- National park rank
- 64th in the United States
- Arizona rank
- Fourth national park
- Location
- Cochise County, southeastern Arizona
- Senate approval
- September 30, 2026
- Area
- 12,000 acres, according to The Arizona Republic; 19 square miles, according to AZ Family
3 sources
What people are saying
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
Making Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park is a huge win for our state
Chiricahua is one of those places you have to see with your own eyes to truly understand