Access to the southern end of the Arizona Trail, known as Border Monument 102, has been permanently restricted following a recent closure enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This situation has raised significant concerns among members of the Arizona Trail Association (ATA), whose executive director referred to the circumstances as “nothing less than desecration.”
In a social media update shared on November 6, the ATA reported that DHS contractors had installed concertina wire around the monument, obstructing the traditional access points that hikers once used to start or complete their journeys along the Arizona Trail. The organization issued a warning to hikers advising against crossing the wire for photographs due to safety risks.
Matthew Nelson, executive director of the ATA, revealed that the association received no prior notification about the installation of the wire and learned about it only through reports from hikers and a steward involved with the organization. He estimated that the fencing was erected sometime between October 21 and November 3. As of this writing, the DHS has yet to comment on the matter.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing construction efforts just west of the monument, which include blasting activities. This work is part of a broader strategy to extend sections of the border wall, with the DHS scheduled to begin construction at the monument itself in August 2026. The ATA has indicated that additional trail closures could occur as these development plans progress.
Nelson expressed skepticism about the government’s willingness to restore access to Border Monument 102, noting that since the construction of the border wall began in 2020, officials have made it clear that the monument will be inaccessible due to its proximity to the new wall line, situated just 10 feet south. Despite the ATA’s advocacy efforts, alongside support from organizations like the National Park Service, requests to redesign the wall in a way that preserves the monument’s historical significance have gone unanswered.
In response to these access restrictions, the ATA is working with the park service to identify a new terminus site, which will feature a monument, picnic tables, and a shade structure located north of the new border wall and a recently constructed service road. However, the construction for this alternative terminus is not anticipated to begin until 2027.
The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across the state, traversing various landscapes, including mountain ranges and the Grand Canyon. Designated a National Scenic Trail in 2009, Border Monument 102 is historically significant, marking a key point in U.S.-Mexican territorial adjustments dating back to the Gadsden Purchase of 1854.
Nelson criticized the rationale behind erecting barriers in an area known for its challenging terrain and highlighted the monument’s historical importance. This closure marks the second time this fall that federal authorities have restricted access to popular long trails. Earlier, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition announced a new requirement for hikers to obtain permits and undergo background checks for entry to the southernmost section of the Continental Divide Trail.
For those hikers who were able to create lasting memories at Border Monument 102, the ATA noted that they should feel fortunate, as their experiences at this once-visited landmark now belong to the history of the trail. Despite the challenging circumstances, there remains hope that future developments will respect and preserve the historical integrity of important landmarks along outdoor trails.