Chiricahua Designated as 64th US National Park in Arizona

Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona became the 64th national park in the United States on October 20, 2026. Condé Nast Traveler reported that President Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act to officially redesignate the site. It is the first time the United States national park list has expanded in nearly six years. [1]

The 12,000-acre park lies just over an hour from the Arizona, New Mexico border, according to Condé Nast Traveler. The site features unique rock formations, pristine stargazing, and scenic canyon drives. It is nicknamed the "Wonderland of Rocks" due to towering rock spires created by a volcanic eruption roughly 27 million years ago. [1]

The site was originally established as a national monument before its elevation to a national park, Condé Nast Traveler reported. United States national parks are congressionally designated protected areas operated by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. While national monuments are often protected for historical or scientific features, national parks are generally larger destination areas where hunting and extractive activities are prohibited. [1][7]