Who has been to Chiricahua National Park?

This blog, in 2020: Do we need some more national parks?

A friend who has been suffering through shutdown on an oceanfront estate in Maine mentioned that Acadia National Park has experienced record-breaking visitor counts. For the first time in history, you need to make a reservation before driving into the park at all.

Donald Trump, this week:

“I am proud to announce the NEWEST FLAGSHIP NATIONAL PARK in the Country, CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL PARK in ARIZONA!… We are MAKING OUR PARKS, AND ARIZONA, GREAT AGAIN!” – President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/mXxBDMdn2j

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 26, 2026

Who has been to this park (formerly a national monument)? I’ve flown by in Robinson helicopters (following Interstate 10, with no risk to pedestrians).

Here’s what it looked like in the good old days:

Today (someone needed an aperture vs. depth of field tutorial?):

Looks like it is a 2-hour drive from Tucson and El Güero Canelo.

Related:

• Helicopter from Los Angeles to Maskachusetts, Part 2 (Davis-Monthan boneyard)