Trump signs bill creating Chiricahua National Park, first new park in six years

President Trump signed a bill on Tuesday that reclassifies the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona from a national monument to Chiricahua National Park, the nation's 64th park and the first new designation in six years. The 12,000-acre site, called “The Wonderland of Rocks,” features striking volcanic formations created around 27 million years ago and has been protected since 1924. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum praised its towering spires, rich Apache cultural ties and diverse wildlife, noting roughly 70,000 visitors came last year.

Senator Mark Kelly described the change as a bipartisan win that will draw more visitors, strengthen regional economies and preserve the landscape for future generations. The park offers 17 miles of trails, including an eight-mile drive to Massai Point with 360-degree views from over 6,800 feet. Designated a Dark Sky Park in 2021, it provides some of the darkest night skies in the world and is a short drive—about six hours—from San Diego, making it an attractive destination for Southern California outdoor enthusiasts.