## Overview

Sport climbing on limestone cliffs in a remote, scenic high desert backcountry
within a two-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson. The canyon and the climbing
routes are on public land administered by the BLM, and on private property
owned by the Access Fund. The area is in a canyon with over 250 sport climbs
on 12 limestone walls on both sides, accessed by primitive foot trails. The
area is at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, with limestone, sandstone
and siltstone rock formations. Vegetation is diverse desert scrub, semi-desert
grasslands, and chaparral with mesquite, palo verde, ocotillo, saguaro,
prickly pear, cholla, catclaw acacia, jojoba, scattered agave, yucca and
sotol.

Land ownership in the area is intermingled BLM, State Trust land, and private
property, including property owned by the Access Fund. Public use of State
Trust land requires a recreational permit from the Arizona State Land
Department. The private property beyond the Access Fund trailhead is not open
to public use.

## Safety Tips

  * Respect and be cautious of local wildlife. Bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and venomous creatures such as rattlesnakes and Africanized bees are common in the area.
  * Bring plenty of water. Extreme heat conditions are typical during summer months.
  * Severe storms with lightning and flash-flooding may occur, usually from mid-June to mid-September. Always stay out of washes and seek shelter if lightning occurs.

<h2>Overview</h2>

<p>Sport climbing on limestone cliffs in a remote, scenic high desert backcountry within a two-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson. The canyon and the climbing routes are on public land administered by the BLM, and on private property owned by the Access Fund. The area is in a canyon with over 250 sport climbs on 12 limestone walls on both sides, accessed by primitive foot trails. The area is at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, with limestone, sandstone and siltstone rock formations. Vegetation is diverse desert scrub, semi-desert grasslands, and chaparral with mesquite, palo verde, ocotillo, saguaro, prickly pear, cholla, catclaw acacia, jojoba, scattered agave, yucca and sotol.</p>

<p>Land ownership in the area is intermingled BLM, State Trust land, and private property, including property owned by the Access Fund. Public use of State Trust land requires a recreational permit from the Arizona State Land Department. The private property beyond the Access Fund trailhead is not open to public use.</p>

<h2>Safety Tips</h2>

<ul>
<li>Respect and be cautious of local wildlife. Bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and venomous creatures such as rattlesnakes and Africanized bees are common in the area.</li>
<li>Bring plenty of water. Extreme heat conditions are typical during summer months.</li>
<li>Severe storms with lightning and flash-flooding may occur, usually from mid-June to mid-September. Always stay out of washes and seek shelter if lightning occurs.</li>
</ul>

Bird's eye view of the park

Homestead Climbing Area

The Gila River recreation area is located along the Gila River and SR 77
between the Town of Winkelman and Globe in Gila County, Arizona. It is
approximately 70 miles north of Tucson and 100 miles southeast of Phoenix. The
area includes approximately 5 river miles on public land administered by the
Bureau of Land Management that is open to public recreational use.

The area includes two minimally developed sites that provide access from SR77
to the Gila River for river related recreation, such as wildlife viewing,
picnicking, camping, fishing and small craft river floating in a scenic
Sonoran desert canyon landscape. The Shores and Christmas recreation sites
offer site roads off the highway, gravel parking, toilets and primitive picnic
camping units. The sites are available at no cost on a first come first served
basis.

Primitive sites with parking and a fire ring are available. Bring your own
table, cooking stove and site furnishings. The sites are not suitable for
large motor homes or RV trailers due to narrow clearance and maneuvering
space.

## Wildlife

The Gila River riparian area and upland canyon habitats provide habitat for a
variety of wildlife, including resident and migratory avian species, small
mammals, reptiles and insects. The recreation sites is largely natural
habitat, and some wildlife may present a hazard, such as rattlesnakes.

Warm water fish (channel catfish and carp, as well as some large flathead
catfish and largemouth bass) may be found in this section of the Gila River.

## River Floating

The Gila River can be accessed for floating at the Christmas and Shores sites,
with a downriver take-out at the Town of Winkelman River Park. River flows are
controlled by releases from the Coolidge Dam for agricultural irrigation in
the Casa Grande-Coolidge area, and are typically suitable for small craft
river floating (such as inflatable kayaks, canoes and tubes) from May through
October when flows are over 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the USGS Gila
river Below Coolidge Dam stream gage.

**CAUTION RIVER FLOATERS** : At high flows, 600 cfs or greater, the river may
be at bankfull, and the current runs fast making maneuvering float craft
extremely challenging and difficult or impossible to avoid navigation hazards.
Hazards that may be encountered include tight river turns, restricted sight
distance, debris deposits, tree branches overhanging the stream, fallen trees
across the channel, dense vegetation along the riverbanks, and steep terrain.
Other hazards include a fence across the river upstream between the Christmas
and Shores sites.

## Prohibited Activities

Target shooting and fireworks are not allowed. Vehicles must be kept on the
designated roads and parking areas.

The Gila River crosses private and Arizona State Trust land. Please respect
private property rights by not stopping on private land without permission and
obtain a permit from the Arizona State Land Department for use of State Trust
lands. A valid Arizona Game and Fish Department license is required for
hunting or fishing.

## Traveler Services

Lodging, food, fuel and other traveler services are available in nearby towns
of Winkelman, Kearny, Superior, Mammoth, and Globe. The nearest medical
facilities are in Globe at the Cobre Valley Community Hospital, and in Oro
Valley at the Oro Valley Hospital.

The Town of Winkelman operates a river park with facilities for motor home and
RV camping, water, toilets available for public use. The River Park provides a
take out for floating from the Shores recreation site.

<p>The Gila River recreation area is located along the Gila River and SR 77 between the Town of Winkelman and Globe in Gila County, Arizona. It is approximately 70 miles north of Tucson and 100 miles southeast of Phoenix. The area includes approximately 5 river miles on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management that is open to public recreational use.</p>

<p>The area includes two minimally developed sites that provide access from SR77 to the Gila River for river related recreation, such as wildlife viewing, picnicking, camping, fishing and small craft river floating in a scenic Sonoran desert canyon landscape. The Shores and Christmas recreation sites offer site roads off the highway, gravel parking, toilets and primitive picnic camping units. The sites are available at no cost on a first come first served basis.</p>

<p>Primitive sites with parking and a fire ring are available. Bring your own table, cooking stove and site furnishings. The sites are not suitable for large motor homes or RV trailers due to narrow clearance and maneuvering space.</p>

<h2>Wildlife</h2>

<p>The Gila River riparian area and upland canyon habitats provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including resident and migratory avian species, small mammals, reptiles and insects. The recreation sites is largely natural habitat, and some wildlife may present a hazard, such as rattlesnakes.</p>

<p>Warm water fish (channel catfish and carp, as well as some large flathead catfish and largemouth bass) may be found in this section of the Gila River.</p>

<h2>River Floating</h2>

<p>The Gila River can be accessed for floating at the Christmas and Shores sites, with a downriver take-out at the Town of Winkelman River Park. River flows are controlled by releases from the Coolidge Dam for agricultural irrigation in the Casa Grande-Coolidge area, and are typically suitable for small craft river floating (such as inflatable kayaks, canoes and tubes) from May through October when flows are over 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the USGS Gila river Below Coolidge Dam stream gage.</p>

<p><strong>CAUTION RIVER FLOATERS</strong>: At high flows, 600 cfs or greater, the river may be at bankfull, and the current runs fast making maneuvering float craft extremely challenging and difficult or impossible to avoid navigation hazards. Hazards that may be encountered include tight river turns, restricted sight distance, debris deposits, tree branches overhanging the stream, fallen trees across the channel, dense vegetation along the riverbanks, and steep terrain. Other hazards include a fence across the river upstream between the Christmas and Shores sites.</p>

<h2>Prohibited Activities</h2>

<p>Target shooting and fireworks are not allowed. Vehicles must be kept on the designated roads and parking areas.</p>

<p>The Gila River crosses private and Arizona State Trust land. Please respect private property rights by not stopping on private land without permission and obtain a permit from the Arizona State Land Department for use of State Trust lands. A valid Arizona Game and Fish Department license is required for hunting or fishing.</p>

<h2>Traveler Services</h2>

<p>Lodging, food, fuel and other traveler services are available in nearby towns of Winkelman, Kearny, Superior, Mammoth, and Globe. The nearest medical facilities are in Globe at the Cobre Valley Community Hospital, and in Oro Valley at the Oro Valley Hospital.</p>

<p>The Town of Winkelman operates a river park with facilities for motor home and RV camping, water, toilets available for public use. The River Park provides a take out for floating from the Shores recreation site.</p>

The Shores and Christmas recreation sites are available at no cost on a first
come, first served basis.

A permit is not required for private, non-commercial use of the sites. Use of
public lands in connection with commercial recreational use requires a BLM
Special Recreation Permit.

Gila River

The Needle's Eye Wilderness (8,760 acres) in Arizona, is managed by the Bureau
of Land Management. In 1990, the Needle's Eye Wilderness became part of the
now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System established
by the Wilderness Act of 1964. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging
recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Please
follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace
techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and
experiential qualities. How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace
principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky
Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about
how they apply. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical
transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as
wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs),
motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the
landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more
information about regulations. Obtain a recreation permit from the San Carlos
Apache Indian Tribe before crossing Reservation lands. Ask for permission to
cross State Trust lands and private lands in advance.

The Needle's Eye Wilderness (8,760 acres) in Arizona, is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the Needle's Eye Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.
How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

Obtain a recreation permit from the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe before crossing Reservation lands. Ask for permission to cross State Trust lands and private lands in advance.

Needle's Eye Wilderness

The Arizona National Scenic Trail traverses Arizona from Mexico to Utah,
covering over 800 miles. This multi-use non-motorized, long distance trail
highlights the state's topographic, biologic, historic and cultural diversity.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail, designated in 2009 as part of the Omnibus
Public Lands Bill, was the vision of Dale Shewalter, a school teacher from
Flagstaff, Arizona.

Features along the trail include historic sites, diverse natural features and
geologic wonders, and remote wilderness areas.

The Tucson Field Office administers 34 miles of trail through two passages,
Passage 15 (Tortilla Mountains) and Passage 16 (Gila River Canyons). Most
passages can be assessed by motorized vehicle at the beginning and end. Some
areas require four-wheel drive vehicles to get to the access point. The Kelvin
Bridge trailhead provides access to BLM lands for both passages. Passage 16
follows portions of the Gila River before traversing through the canyons.

Opportunities include camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, mountain
biking (outside wilderness or other specially managed areas), horseback riding
and backpacking.

Fall, winter, and spring provide the best opportunities to hike the trail.
There are no visitor facilities or services on the trail, however, nearby
communities offer various services and facilities.

<p>The Arizona National Scenic Trail traverses Arizona from Mexico to Utah, covering over 800 miles. This multi-use non-motorized, long distance trail highlights the state's topographic, biologic, historic and cultural diversity.</p>

<p>The Arizona National Scenic Trail, designated in 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, was the vision of Dale Shewalter, a school teacher from Flagstaff, Arizona.</p>

<p>Features along the trail include historic sites, diverse natural features and geologic wonders, and remote wilderness areas.</p>

<p>The Tucson Field Office administers 34 miles of trail through two passages, Passage 15 (Tortilla Mountains) and Passage 16 (Gila River Canyons). Most passages can be assessed by motorized vehicle at the beginning and end. Some areas require four-wheel drive vehicles to get to the access point. The Kelvin Bridge trailhead provides access to BLM lands for both passages. Passage 16 follows portions of the Gila River before traversing through the canyons.</p>

<p>Opportunities include camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, mountain biking (outside wilderness or other specially managed areas), horseback riding and backpacking.</p>

<p>Fall, winter, and spring provide the best opportunities to hike the trail. There are no visitor facilities or services on the trail, however, nearby communities offer various services and facilities.</p>

Arizona National Scenic Trail

The White Canyon Wilderness (5,790 acres) in Arizona, is managed by the Bureau
of Land Management. In 1990, the White Canyon Wilderness became part of the
now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System established
by the Wilderness Act of 1964.

In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and
extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Please follow the regulations in
place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure
protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders,
wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including
helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

High-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

<p>The White Canyon Wilderness (5,790 acres) in Arizona, is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the White Canyon Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964.</p>

<p>In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.</p>

<p>Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.</p>

<p>High-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.</p>

Homestead Climbing Area

Overview

Safety Tips

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Gila River

Needle's Eye Wilderness

Arizona National Scenic Trail

White Canyon Wilderness