Photo: Elly van der Pas / CC BY-SA 3.0

Attractions 5,013 ft Bortle 2 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Post traders were civilian businessmen who operated retail establishments at military posts. The post trader's store at Fort Bowie was operated by Sidney DeLong. DeLong first found himself at Fort Bowie when he served here with the California Volunteers and helped to build the first fort. For over twenty years, Sidney DeLong operated the post trader's store for a firm in Tucson. In addition to the storefront, the establishment had a bar, billiards room, and officer's club. DeLong l

Near San Simon, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

What you bring to Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 matters. This list reflects the actual conditions you'll encounter.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Terrain Gear

SPF50 lip balm — High elevation, snow glare, and desert sun amplify UV exposure on exposed facial skin, especially lips.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

From ice fishing, ice skating, photography, the outdoor activities at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 take advantage of the local terrain and climate.

With a photography score of 65/100, Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

ice_fishing — Ice fishing requires proper gear and careful attention to ice safety.
ice_skating — Ice skating combines recreation with crisp seasonal air.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
rv_camping — RV camping blends outdoor living with modern amenities.
sightseeing — Sightseeing highlights iconic vistas, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Grassland — Rolling plains or prairies provide wide visibility and expansive skies.

Wildlife Safety at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Understanding the local hazards at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 starts with knowing what's here: venomous snakes.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (178mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (32N), Elevated (5,013ft))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Grassland habitat around Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9.

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 Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Walk quietly and you may spot White-tailed Deer and Cliff Chipmunk among the 2 tree species and 2 wildflowers that grow here.

Trees (2)

Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.
silverleaf oak — It grows in desert mountains of the Southwest.

Wildflowers (2)

alpine cancer-root — The plant grows in alpine forests.
pinewoods geranium — Blooming occurs in spring.

Shrubs (2)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
soaptree yucca — The trunk may grow several feet tall in older plants.

Other Plants (5)

Palmer's agave
Santa Rita Hedgehog Cactus
pointleaf manzanita
great mullein
silverleaf nightshade

Mammals (8)

White-tailed Deer — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.
Cliff Chipmunk — White eyebrow stripe contrasts with darker eye line.
Mexican Fox Squirrel — Long bushy tail edged in white.
Collared Peccary — Short legs and compact muscular body.
White-nosed Coati — Slender body with elongated snout.

Birds (30)

Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle
Steller's Jay — Blue body and wings
Ruddy Duck — Brown winter plumage
Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
Acorn Woodpecker — Red crown

Reptiles (12)

Yarrow's Spiny Lizard — Often shows dark crossbands and subtle patterning.
Mojave Rattlesnake — Black-and-white tail bands and prominent rattle.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Striped Plateau Lizard — Rough scales and compact build.
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Distinct black coloration on last portion of tail before rattle.

Amphibians (5)

Couch's Spadefoot
Great Plains Toad
Chiricahua Leopard Frog
Chihuahuan Green Toad
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (14)

White-lined Sphinx
Arizona Sister
Tonto Dancer
Blue Fungus Beetle
Echo Azure

Other Wildlife (2)

Tohono Vinegaroon
Stripe-tailed Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Blue-throated Mountain-gem (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Couch's Spadefoot (amphibian)
Palmer's agave (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Climate data for Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 shows Semi-Arid patterns, averaging 58.1°F year-round.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 58.1°F

Annual precipitation: 17.7 in

With an average annual temperature of 58.1°F and 17.7 inches of precipitation, Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 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.

Winter 43°

1.3"

Spring 57°

0.3"

Summer 75°

3.7"

Fall 61°

1.0"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	43°F	1.3 in
Feb	45°F	1.2 in
Mar	50°F	1.0 in
Apr	57°F	0.3 in
May	63°F	0.3 in
Jun	71°F	0.8 in
Jul	75°F	3.7 in
Aug	73°F	3.9 in
Sep	69°F	1.7 in
Oct	61°F	1.0 in
Nov	50°F	1.0 in
Dec	42°F	1.5 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 – 7:24 PM

Winter: 7:10 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:10 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:37 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:24 PM Golden hour from 6:49 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:29 AM, Sunset 6:25 PM Golden hour from 5:52 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:00 AM, Sunset 6:25 PM Golden hour from 5:53 PM

Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

The closest major city is Phoenix at 178 miles, making this a longer road trip destination.

Nearest city: Phoenix (178 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $44.42 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 143.6 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

12 outdoor locations are close enough to Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 to combine into a single trip.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

The night sky here rates Bortle class 2, meaning Typical truly dark site conditions for spotting constellations and celestial events.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

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 Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

Different seasons reveal different sides of Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9.

The landscape at Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 transforms through the year, with 3 notable seasonal events.

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 Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

Indigenous peoples have shaped this landscape for millennia. Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 sits within the traditional territory of Chiricahua Apache.

Territories

Chiricahua Apache

Languages

1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Chiricahua.

Chiricahua

Data from Native Land Digital

Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 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)

Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9, Cochise Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Live conditions for Fort Bowie Ruins Tour- Stop 9 — bookmark these for your trip.

Nearest weather station: CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (10.66 mi)