Arizona’s Chiricahua “wonderland” becomes 64th National Park

The Chiricahua National Monument in southern Arizona officially became the United States’ 64th national park on Tuesday. President Donald Trump signed legislation designating the park that was supported by a bipartisan group. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said the change was historic for the state: Now, it boasts four national parks. This national park designation will ensure Chiricahua is protected so future generations can enjoy it, said Kelly, one of the lawmakers who backed the legislation.

Located in the southeast corner of the state, the new national park has been nicknamed the Wonderland of Rocks, according to the nearby city of Willcox. Chiricahua has towering rock spires and massive balancing rocks, the city wrote online. The city said it was eager for the designation to draw more tourists to the region to discover the park’s beauty. Chiricahua was first protected as a national monument in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge, according to the National Park Service.

Arizona’s other national parks include Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park, and, of course, Grand Canyon National Park—one of the most visited national parks in the country.