Fort Bowie is a National Historic Site and is managed by the National Park Service. This should give you some idea of the quality of the signage and facilities. Fort Bowie was used to guard Apache Pass such that the military, settlers, miners and stage coaches had access to the water found near the Fort. At its peak in the 1890's, Fort Bowie was like a little city with many buildings. Only the foundations still remain but it is fascinating to walk around the grounds and to try to imagine what life was like then. A good way to do this hike is to hike in to the Visitor's Center where one can enjoy the lunch they packed in. Once refreshed, a walk throughout the Fort area is very interesting and might take an hour or so to see it all.

To get the historic ruin, most people must hike 1.5 miles up the valley to Visitor's Center that overlooks the ruins of Fort Bowie. Most of the hike is easy, but there is probably a total elevation gain of a couple hundred feet, most of which comes in the last quarter mile approaching the Fort.  For those desiring a more rigorous hike, there is an alternate route to the Fort that goes up and over a little mountain that is just northwest of the Visitor's Center.  This route has steep switchbacks and offers a commanding view of the Fort below.   Along the main trail, there are a number of interpretive sites. Each interpretive site has appropriate signage to explain what can be observed. The interpretive sites include some of the local plants, a Butterfield Stage Station, the Fort Cemetery, the Indian Agency Ruins, an Apache Wickiup and the freshwater spring that brought everyone to this area.

There are two clean, nicely maintained, unisex pit toilets at the Trailhead. At the Visitor's Center there are clean, nicely maintained unisex flush toilets. Fresh water is also available at the Visitor's Center.

Due to the presence of water, there are always plenty of birds along the trail.