Chiricahua national park bill reaches Trump’s desk

Congress sends bill to Trump

The Senate approved bipartisan legislation that would redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. The measure has passed Congress and is headed to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani introduced the proposal twice after taking office in 2023: first that year and again in December 2025. He said he expects the bill to be signed within about 10 days.

Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema backed Senate versions of the legislation in 2021 and 2023. Kelly said the designation would protect the landscape, attract more visitors and create economic opportunities in southeastern Arizona.

What the designation would mean

If signed, the measure would make Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park. Saguaro National Park, established in 1994, was the most recent Arizona site to receive that status.

Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock called the congressional action an important development for Willcox, Cochise County and southeastern Arizona. Hancock traveled to Washington with representatives of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors to advocate for the measure with senators and congressional offices.

About Chiricahua

The 12,000-acre site in Cochise County became a national monument in 1924 under President Calvin Coolidge. More than 60,000 people visit annually, including to see rhyolite rock pinnacles formed by volcanic activity more than 27 million years ago.

The Chiricahua Mountains are among the region’s “sky islands,” where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, Sierra Madre and Rocky Mountain ecosystems meet. National Park Service figures show visitors spent in nearby communities in 2017.