First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Trails in Arizona
Photo: Elly van der Pas / CC BY-SA 3.0
Part of Fort Bowie National Historic Site
What to Pack for First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
A well-prepared pack for First Fort Trail covers 2 categories: essential, wildlife gear.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The mix of Grassland terrain and Semi-Arid conditions here supports everything from hiking, photography, picnicking.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
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photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Grassland — Seasonal wildflowers often add color during bloom periods.
Wildlife Safety at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.
The danger score of 30/10 at First Fort Trail accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (178mi from city) in the area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (178mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
4 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake.
Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.
Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.
Head is blunt with a black snout.
Keep the victim calm and still while awaiting treatment.
- Watch where you step and place hands
- Stay on trails
- Wear boots and long pants in snake country
- Do not reach under rocks or logs
- If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
- Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol
Nature & Wildlife at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The ecosystem around First Fort Trail is defined by its Grassland landscape, supporting everything from Arizona sycamore and silverleaf oak to Wild Turkey and Steller's Jay.
Trees (2)
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Arizona sycamore — Large lobed leaves resemble those of other sycamores. -
silverleaf oak — Leaf undersides are pale and slightly fuzzy.
Wildflowers (2)
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alpine cancer-root — Small tubular flowers cluster along the stalk. -
pinewoods geranium — Leaves are deeply divided and form a low basal clump.
Shrubs (2)
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Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
soaptree yucca — Creamy white bell-shaped flowers bloom in late spring.
Other Plants (5)
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Palmer's agave
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Santa Rita Hedgehog Cactus
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pointleaf manzanita
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great mullein
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silverleaf nightshade
Mammals (8)
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White-tailed Deer — Bucks grow antlers annually, shedding them each winter. -
Cliff Chipmunk — Slim body with moderately bushy tail. -
Mexican Fox Squirrel — Robust body. -
Collared Peccary — Small straight tusks visible in adults. -
White-nosed Coati — Often carries tail upright when moving.
Birds (30)
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Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West -
Steller's Jay — Blackish upperparts in western form -
Ruddy Duck — Stiff upright tail -
Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen -
Acorn Woodpecker — Pale eye
Reptiles (12)
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Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — Typically 5–8 inches long. -
Mojave Rattlesnake — Typically 3–4 feet long. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Adults commonly 3–5 feet long. -
Striped Plateau Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Usually 2.5–4 feet long.
Amphibians (5)
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Couch's Spadefoot -
Great Plains Toad -
Chiricahua Leopard Frog -
Chihuahuan Green Toad -
Mexican Spadefoot
Insects (14)
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White-lined Sphinx -
Arizona Sister -
Tonto Dancer -
Blue Fungus Beetle -
Echo Azure
Other Wildlife (2)
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Tohono Vinegaroon
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Stripe-tailed Scorpion
Nature Bingo at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit First Fort Trail.
Month-by-month temperatures at First Fort Trail range from °F to °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 59.1°F
Annual precipitation: 15.3 in
With an average annual temperature of 59.1°F and 15.3 inches of precipitation, First Fort Trail has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 75°F, while winter lows drop to 43°F.
Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 1.1 in |
| Feb | 46°F | 1.1 in |
| Mar | 51°F | 0.8 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 0.2 in |
| May | 64°F | 0.3 in |
| Jun | 73°F | 0.6 in |
| Jul | 75°F | 3.3 in |
| Aug | 74°F | 3.3 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 1.5 in |
| Oct | 62°F | 0.9 in |
| Nov | 51°F | 0.9 in |
| Dec | 43°F | 1.3 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 10.1 hours in winter to 14.2 hours in summer — a difference of 4.1 hours.
Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:25 PM
Winter: 7:10 AM – 5:14 PM
First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Access to First Fort Trail is primarily via Phoenix, 178 miles away.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: not_recommended (35/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
The region around First Fort Trail is rich with options — 12 nearby destinations are worth exploring.
Nearby Trails
- Second Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS 0.16 mi
- Administration Trail, Fort Bowie NHS 0.26 mi
- Return Trail, Fort Bowie NHS 0.28 mi
- Visitor Center Trail, Fort Bowie NHS 0.66 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Bonita Canyon Campground, Chiricahua National Monument 10.43 mi
- Rustler Park Campground, Cochise 19.01 mi
- Sycamore Campground, Cochise 20.61 mi
- Sunny Flat Campground, Cochise 23.64 mi
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
Light pollution at First Fort Trail is Typical truly dark site (Bortle 2), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.
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Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
Seasonal changes at First Fort Trail bring — each offering a distinct experience.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: March - April
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: October 25 – November 15
Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen
Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: March - April
Fall peak: October - November
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
We acknowledge that First Fort Trail is located on the traditional lands of Chiricahua Apache.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, First Fort Trail sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Middle Miocene to Oligocene volcanic rocks
- Formation
- Peach Springs Tuff; Apache Leap Tuff
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt,andesite,dacite}, Minor:{rhyolite}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 1
- Unique Species
- 1
- Oldest
- 5.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 83
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Geothermal, Gold, Manganese, Uranium, Silver, Graphite, Fluorine-Fluorite, Gypsum-Anhydrite
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 109°F (1909-07-13)
- Record Low
- -10°F (1913-01-07)
Wildfire History
This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.
- Recorded Fires
- 7
- Largest Fire
- Apache Pass (1,704.2 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2018
- Fire Risk
- Moderate
Watershed
- Watershed
- Pat Hills
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 1
- Largest
- Willcox Playa 002 (0 kg)
First Fort Trail, Fort Bowie NHS Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around First Fort Trail.
Coordinates: 32.144671, -109.438946