# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeCOUM1G-C4
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71151463-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/a6a236d599.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-03T14:00:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

Arizona is one presidential signature away from its fourth national park, and it would be the state’s first new one since 1994.

Congress has passed the Chiricahua National Park Act, which would redesignate Chiricahua National Monument in Cochise County as Chiricahua National Park. The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent on Sept. 30, after the House passed it by voice vote in March. It now goes to the president. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who sponsored the bill, said he expects it to be signed within about 10 days. We have not seen a signing date announced.

The monument sits about 120 miles southeast of Tucson and was established in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge. Its roughly 12,000 acres of rock pinnacles and balancing rocks are known as the “Wonderland of Rocks.” If the bill becomes law, it would be the nation’s 64th national park and Arizona’s fourth, joining Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro.

The change is mostly one of name. The boundaries stay the same, and the legislation includes consultation with tribes and protections for traditional cultural and religious access. Local officials in Willcox and Cochise County expect the new title to draw more visitors. The monument had just over 70,000 visitors last year, according to the Center for Western Priorities.

Not everyone sees only upside. Some nearby residents have raised concerns about how more visitors and development could affect resources, infrastructure and groundwater, according to the Eastern Arizona Courier. The head of the Association of National Park Rangers said Chiricahua is worthy of the title but is likely understaffed, as are many other parks.

Would you visit Arizona’s newest national park?

#Chiricahua #NationalPark #Arizona #CochiseCounty #Willcox

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,243
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 28

## Tags

nationalpark, chiricahua, willcox, arizona, cochisecounty

---
Copyright (c) Gondola