See the newest park in the US

Key Points:

• Chiricahua National Monument in southeast Arizona was officially designated as the 64th U.S. national park on October 20, 2023, after legislation passed both the House and Senate and was signed by President Donald Trump.
• The park, known for its unique volcanic rock formations formed 27 million years ago, diverse wildlife, and dark night skies, covers 12,000 acres, making it the fourth smallest national park in the country.
• Chiricahua offers recreational activities such as hiking, camping, horseback riding, and scenic drives, and holds cultural significance as the historic land of the Chiricahua Apache, with protections for cultural and religious sites included in the new park status.
• Despite its natural and cultural richness, the park currently lacks infrastructure like staffed visitor centers and sufficient camping facilities, which could challenge accommodating increased visitation expected from its new national park designation.
• Concerns remain about funding and staffing for Chiricahua and other parks, as the National Park Service has experienced workforce reductions and deferred maintenance projects, raising questions about resource management and visitor experience improvements post-designation.