Chiricahua is the nation’s newest national park – what does that mean?

On April 18, 2021, President Donald Trump signed into law the designation of Chiricahua, a 12,000-acre landscape in southeastern Arizona, as the nation's newest national park. Chiricahua was first established as a national monument in 1924 to safeguard its unique rhyolite hoodoos and diverse wildlife. While the transition from national monument to national park typically does not bring about significant changes to the site's physical features or additional funding for management and protection, the new title carries political significance and could attract visitors, supporters, and surrounding communities.

National parks are a specific category among the 19 designations managed by the National Park Service, with only 64 units holding the "national park" title. This classification is bestowed solely by Congress, as opposed to the creation of national monuments, which can be directed by the president under the Antiquities Act of 1906.

Designation changes, such as Chiricahua's, often aim to capitalize on the public appeal of the "national park" label to boost tourism and local economies, rather than providing additional protection for the area.

Despite Chiricahua's rocky landscapes and evidence of Indigenous occupation, its size and limited range of resources may lead to some public concerns similar to those raised about the Gateway Arch National Park redesignation in St. Louis. The park's website acknowledges that it is unusual for a national park to lack natural plant life and features a stark contrast to the urban surroundings of downtown St. Louis.

As other National Park Service sites, such as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, White Sands National Monument, and New River Gorge National Park, undergo similar redesignations, the future of Chiricahua remains uncertain, with the ultimate outcome depending on the public's perception and appreciation of its unique landscape.