This picnic area, located along the 21-mile-long Black Hills National Back
Country Byway, provides a scenic vista of the Gila River canyon and nearby
mountain ranges.

This picnic area, located along the 21-mile-long <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/16856/2" rel="nofollow">Black Hills National Back Country Byway</a>, provides a scenic vista of the Gila River canyon and nearby mountain ranges.

Bird's eye view of the park

Canyon Overlook Picnic Area

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is the perfect place to go for a thrilling
drive in your off-road vehicles. The byway also offers a challenge for
experienced mountain bikers or hikers. Other hobbies you could try your hand
at are horseback riding, birding, photographing wildlife, fishing and hunting,
or even rock collecting. Rockhound is open for digging unique stones. One of
the most popular stones to collect is Fire Agate.

The Black Hills area includes parts of the Gila River. Take a picnic to the
old Safford Bridge, or join the rafters floating down the river. About a
quarter of a mile hike up an old abandoned road along the river leads to the
hottest natural hot springs in Arizona. The waters are only accessible during
low river flow but they stay a constant 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is the perfect place to go for a thrilling drive in your off-road vehicles. The byway also offers a challenge for experienced mountain bikers or hikers. Other hobbies you could try your hand at are horseback riding, birding, photographing wildlife, fishing and hunting, or even rock collecting. Rockhound is open for digging unique stones. One of the most popular stones to collect is Fire Agate.



The Black Hills area includes parts of the Gila River. Take a picnic to the old Safford Bridge, or join the rafters floating down the river. About a quarter of a mile hike up an old abandoned road along the river leads to the hottest natural hot springs in Arizona. The waters are only accessible during low river flow but they stay a constant 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Black Hills Back Country Byway

Hot springs, river rafting, birdwatching, and miles of trails make this
National Conservation Area popular among those in the know. Bonita Creek
wildlife viewing area is accessible and has numerous interpretive displays and
shade shelters.

Hot springs, river rafting, birdwatching, and miles of trails make this National Conservation Area popular among those in the know. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/bonita-creek-watchable-wildlife-viewing-area" rel="nofollow">Bonita Creek wildlife viewing area</a> is accessible and has numerous interpretive displays and shade shelters.

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area

The trail is 18 miles long one way, with an elevation range of 3,700 to 6,200
feet. It winds through the rugged canyons of the Gila Mountains and Turtle
Mountain.

With the exception of Bonita Creek, streams and springs are scarce along the
route. Follow bear and mountain lion country precautions as these creatures
are becoming more common along Bonita Creek. The creek's clear, cool water is
inviting for a soak, but must be treated before drinking due to human, cattle,
and wildlife activity upstream. Carry plenty of drinking water with you. Few
people travel this remote route and it remains difficult to follow because it
crosses land of mixed ownership. You will need topo maps and a compass to hike
this moderate to difficult trail. The best time to hike is fall through the
spring months because there is little water and shade. Snow is possible in the
high elevations during the winter months.

Permits/Fees: A recreation permit is needed for crossing Arizona state trust
land one mile southwest of the East Trailhead. Permits are available by mail
or in person at the Arizona State Land Office in Phoenix, Tucson, and
Flagstaff, and from the Arizona Public Lands Information Center in Phoenix.

A San Carlos Apache Tribal recreation permit should be obtained if you wish to
cross the short section of the trail that passes through the reservation in T.
4 S., R. 28 E. Permits are available from the Tribal Recreation and Wildlife
Department in Peridot, or from convenience stores in Safford and Pima.

The trail is 18 miles long one way, with an elevation range of 3,700 to 6,200 feet. It winds through the rugged canyons of the Gila Mountains and Turtle Mountain.

With the exception of Bonita Creek, streams and springs are scarce along the route. Follow bear and mountain lion country precautions as these creatures are becoming more common along Bonita Creek. The creek's clear, cool water is inviting for a soak, but must be treated before drinking due to human, cattle, and wildlife activity upstream. Carry plenty of drinking water with you. Few people travel this remote route and it remains difficult to follow because it crosses land of mixed ownership. You will need topo maps and a compass to hike this moderate to difficult trail. The best time to hike is fall through the spring months because there is little water and shade. Snow is possible in the high elevations during the winter months.

Permits/Fees: A recreation permit is needed for crossing Arizona state trust land one mile southwest of the East Trailhead. Permits are available by mail or in person at the Arizona State Land Office in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff, and from the Arizona Public Lands Information Center in Phoenix.

A San Carlos Apache Tribal recreation permit should be obtained if you wish to cross the short section of the trail that passes through the reservation in T. 4 S., R. 28 E. Permits are available from the Tribal Recreation and Wildlife Department in Peridot, or from convenience stores in Safford and Pima.

Safford-Morenci Trail

This WSA is a 22-acre area that remained after the adjacent Arizona portion of
the WSA was released from wilderness review in 1990. The remaining New Mexico
portion continues to be managed as a WSA pending Congressional action.

This WSA is a 22-acre area that remained after the adjacent Arizona portion of the WSA was released from wilderness review in 1990. The remaining New Mexico portion continues to be managed as a WSA pending Congressional action.

Canyon Overlook Picnic Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Black Hills Back Country Byway

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area

Safford-Morenci Trail

Hoverrocker Wilderness Study Area