The park, near Willcox in southeastern Arizona, joins Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro national parks. Chiricahua has been protected as a national monument for more than a century.

Its landscape is known for hoodoos, stone columns and balancing rocks. The formations began nearly 27 million years ago, when a volcanic eruption covered the region in ash; wind and water gradually carved the hardened material into the rock spires visitors see today.

The new designation could bring more attention and tourism to the area. Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock, whose community relies in part on tourism, including its wine industry and birding season, has said national park status may create opportunities for local businesses and help provide resources for park upkeep.

“It’ll give potential for more resources to help upkeep the trails and more staffing there to help preserve this,” Hancock said. “I want future generations to be able to experience this beauty and not have it ruined.”

Hancock testified in Congress in support of the redesignation. He said communities moving from monument to national park status have seen visitation rise by about 20%, a change that could mean dozens or hundreds of additional visitors a day for a small city such as Willcox.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, who backed the proposal with Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Juan Ciscomani, called the signing a benefit for southeastern Arizona communities and for future generations. “This is a win for the communities in southeastern Arizona and for everyone who worked to protect this extraordinary place so our kids and our grandkids can enjoy it,” Kelly said.