The best camping near Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Fort Bowie National Historic Site adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Bowie National Historic Site

91%
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Birds and Barrels Vineyards

6 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Willcox, AZ
Chad and Monica moved from the metro phoenix area to Willcox Arizona in the summer of 2015 with the goal of starting a vineyard and winery and living a simpler life in the country. Since moving to Willcox they have cleared 50 acres and planted over 6000 grape vines with more to plant coming soon. They fell in love with the spectacular views, the wildlife and the people. With spectacular sunrises and sunsets  and clear night skies its a beautiful place to live and visit. With a working vineyard and winery you can walk from your camp and buy a bottle of wine or just enjoy a glass on the large deck located at the tasting room that over looks the grain field and silos, orchards and vineyards. There is incredible history that surrounds the area including: Cochise and Geronimo's battle grounds against the US Calvery, the Butterfield Stagecoach routes and pony express trails, The battle of the OK Coral with the Earp Brothers nearby. Birds and Barrels Vineyards is located within one of the only two American Viticulture Areas(AVA's)  in Arizona. With over a dozen other wineries within a short drive, it makes for a enjoyable experience with family and friends.Learn more about this land:Located in the heart of Arizona Wine Country, the campsites over look the vineyard to the west and is surrounded by orchards and grain fields. Spectacular views of the Chiricahua's and Dos Cabezas Mountains. At 4300 feet cool evenings and warm days can be expected. Beautiful sunsets in the afternoons with crystal clear skies at night for star gazing abound. Hiking and biking are near by. Lots of Western History all around the area. Plenty of bird watching and wildlife to view. Within walking distance of the onsite winery /tasting room with many others near by.
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$21.25
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91%
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Smugglers' Roost

10 sites · RVs49 acres · Animas, NM
Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by wealth of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. Learn more about this land: Bring your RV and join us at Smugglers' Roost for our warm sunny days and starlit nights! We are a pioneering community which serves as a hub for exploration, creativity, trade and most of all... the passionate celebration of life! We offer 228 Full Hook-up RV Sites with 50-amp electric, water, commercial septic and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Pull-throughs are available and there's plenty of room to spread out! Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by a treasure trove of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. BIRD WITH US! We offer an onsite birding station and three additional affiliated and nationally acclaimed birding sites, including one at the mouth of the famed Cave Creek Canyon in Portal, AZ only a short drive away. EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE! Our dead-dark night skies are nothing short of awe-inspiring, so come explore with our onsite star guides with telescopes!
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$33
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Pineapple's Place

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Benson, AZ
We have just reopened our campground January 2023. Sleep under the trees of the mesquite bosque. Dip in our swimming hole when it's warm enough. Take a stroll down into the dry San Pedro River bed in the dry season. Our small homestead has dogs, cats, pigs and various small farm animals depending on the time of year. Besides our amazing bird population, we have a seasonal colony of bats on the property. Sit by the pond and watch as they whizz by to get a drink before they head out into the summer night. The three dogs pictured will likely supervise your camp but can always be penned up if they are unwanted. I grew up on this property, my daughter was born here and it has been various things over the years from a small family farm to a charter school to a work trade program. Now it's our small homestead now. All money raised by this site is going right back into the campground, eventually a small cabin space too! We do not live in cell service so please do not use our number as you would a mobile phone. It is a landline. The camp site is close enough to access our Wi-Fi.
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$25
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100%
(16)

Harry and Barbara’s Windmill

3 sites · Lodging20 acres · Mc Neal, AZ
We purchased our 20 acre homestead 16 years ago. The buildings were unlivable and land was overgrazed , but the windmill and sweet water well gave promise. We have been Restoring the land, allowing its native habitat to thrive. We now have a Year round vegetable garden, honeybees, orchard and grape vines. The adobe home and outbuildings and Sandhill (Crane) casita are restored with all recycle materials from the property. The 1.5 mile nature trail through grassland ,yucca and mesquite landscape provides solitude and 360 degree views of the sky islands in US and Mexico. Learn more about this land: Flat, well maintained, Paved road accesses our 20 acre private wildlife sanctuary. Boundary of Chihuahua and upper Sonoran deserts , 4100 feet, high desert, yucca , mesquite, grasslands. One of the top migratory birding regions in North America. Excellent windmill pumped water and a 1.5 mile walking nature trail. Heated and cooled casita (sleeps 2). Outdoor hot shower, compost toilet, outdoor fire pit and tables, games include corn hole and bocci at your door. Expansive views of 7 Sky Island mountain ranges and dark sky celestial wonder. Adjacent to globally significant Whitewater Draw wildlife refuge. 15 miles to historic Bisbee Arizona . Great climate.
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$75
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(11)

RV sites, mountain view!

6 sites · RVs20 acres · Pearce, AZ
Learn more about this land:Tombstone Tombstone is famous for cowboy lore. The 12,000 foot Courthouse holds a treasure trove of authentic cowboy history and information about its rich past as a silver mining town.Bird WatchingThere are several nearby areas popular for bird watching like the Ash & Miller Canyons, the Environmental Operations Park, Garden Canyon, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Ramsey Canyon Preserve and more.HikingThe dessert contains a wide variety of natural wonders. There are caverns, mountains, waterfalls, land bridges and more simply waiting to be explored. Popular destinations include Kartchner Caverns, Carr House, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Monument, Garden Canyon and more.Horseback RidingOf all the area attractions, we are most knowledgeable about horseback riding trails in Cochise County. Bring your own horses and we can point you in the right area to ride in nearby parks such as Catalina State Park, Saguaro National Park, Coronado National Forest and more.Mountain BikingThe Huachuca Mountains in the Coronado National Forest offers a wide variety of mountain biking trails. Many trails are open for all uses including hiking, biking and equestrians.MuseumsHistory comes alive in the various museums on Native American History, Mining Towns, Military Forts and Train Depots. Popular destinations include: Benson Museum, Border Air Museum, Garden Canyon, Rex Allen Museum, US Army Military Intelligence Museum and more.Wine TastingsThere are several vineyards in the area. Taste wines made with local and imported grapes.
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$45
 / night

The best camping near Fort Bowie National Historic Site guide

Overview

About

The remnants of Fort Bowie in Arizona mark a clash of cultures. On one side, there was the U.S. Army trying to make the Wild West safe for settlers. On the other were the Chiricahua Apache tribe and their way of life. The struggle for control of this part of Arizona culminated in Geronimo's surrender in 1886.

Hike 1-1/2 miles from the visitor's center to what's left of the fort. You'll get a sense of the loneliness and isolation in this wild, open land. This isolation means on a good spring day, the park may see 100 visitors. When bad weather hits, there aren't any people except the Rangers. Expect to spend at least two hours seeing everything on the site.

There are several landmarks on the way to the fort ruins. See the ruins of a Butterfield Overland Mail Station, where stagecoaches dropped off mail and took a break. A small cemetery has around 25 marked graves. The stones are updated to modern designs, and a pamphlet describes the lives of those buried here.

Definitely check out the replica Apache dwelling. The short hut is made of sticks and grass. It has a wide, tall opening as a door. There's enough space inside to sleep several people.

The visitor's center and museum contain artifacts found on the site. You can also see historical photographs of what life was like at Fort Bowie. In 1894, just before it was abandoned, the place bustled with activity.

Top points of interest near Fort Bowie National Historic Site

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