The Little-Known Ruins In Arizona You Can Only Reach by Hiking This 4.8-Mile Trail
By Tori Jane|Published April 15, 2022
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Hidden away in far southeastern Arizona is a little town by the name of Bowie. It’s been around awhile, and if you decide to stay for a day or two, there’s a fascinating place you’ve just got to check out. It’s multiple sets of ruins, all from days in Arizona’s distant past, the most famous of which are the remains of a little place called Fort Bowie. Embark upon the Fort Bowie Ruins Trail in Arizona for a fun (and fascinating) adventure to some old-school ruins only accessible on foot via a hiking trail. Check it out:
The Fort Bowie Loop Trail is 4.8 miles long and is best started early in the morning, before temperatures get too high.
Should you play your cards right and arrive early during the middle of the week, you might just be able to experience this hike with little to no other hikers around. Perfect!
The region is remarkably rich in history; this trail leads hikers to (and through) numerous historically significant places, each of which is marked with plaques and descriptors to explain just what that significance is.
First, you'll happen upon the remains of an old miners' cabin. Here, you'll be able to see bits of the old Butterfield Overland Trail and some other ruins of what was once a stage station.
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Next, you'll come across what's left of an old pioneer-era cemetery, which contains the resting remains of various residents who were killed in run-ins with Native folks back in the day, including those of "Little Robe," the two-year-old son of famed Geronimo of the Bedonkohe band of the Apache people.
Not much remains of the old fort, but what does remain tells the story of a long history of conflict between the Apache people and the U.S. Army (about 25 years worth).
The trail is open all year 'round, so you can embark upon it at any time. We recommend timing your adventure for spring, autumn or winter, when the weather is cool and pleasant and heatstroke is less of a possibility. There isn't a lot of shade along the way, so plan for a sunny hike as well and bring plenty of water.
Visitors in the spring and early summer are treated to wildflowers, given that the previous winter was nice and rainy.
What do you think? Have you ever embarked upon this fascinating ruins trail in Arizona? If so, what was the part that intrigued you the most? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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