Arizona Gets New Chiricahua National Park

President Donald Trump has signed legislation designating the site as the 64th national park in the United States.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in National Parks

Arizona Gets New Chiricahua National Park

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President Donald Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act into law, officially elevating the site from a national monument to a national park. The new park spans 19 square miles in Cochise County, Arizona.

Why it matters

This legislative move aims to protect the unique volcanic landscape of the region for future generations to explore. The bill moved through Congress with bipartisan support before being finalized.

Chiricahua National Park covers a surface area of 19 square miles in Cochise County. It officially holds the status of being the 64th national park in the United States.

The players

Donald Trump

President Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.

Juan Ciscomani

Juan Ciscomani is a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona.

Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge served as the 30th president of the United States.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt served as the 32nd president of the United States.

The details

Representative Juan Ciscomani sponsored the legislation that secured the new status for the protected area. While the site is now elevated, previous maintenance projects at the location had been ranked as low priority by National Park Service officials.

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge first designated the site as a national monument.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the site in 1938.
President Donald Trump signed the national park legislation on October 20, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This designation follows the precedent set by the National Park Service Organic Act to preserve unique environments for public use. The expansion marks a formal commitment to prioritizing the preservation of the volcanic region over its former status as a monument.

Travelers visiting the new park should monitor updates from the National Park Service regarding potential changes to facility access or operating hours. Increased interest in the site following the designation may lead to higher visitor volume in Cochise County.

The takeaway

The elevation of the site to national park status highlights the ongoing federal effort to preserve significant geological formations. Visitors can expect continued conservation efforts as the area shifts from a national monument to a designated national park.