Rug Road got its name from the remnants of carpet that people have used to
fill holes and ledges along the road to make it more passable. The road is one
of the roughest roads in the Safford Field Office - it is not for the faint of
heart.

Travel on the Rug Road requires a good high-clearance, four-wheel-drive
vehicle and experience driving in these conditions. The road transverses Table
Mountain between Turkey Creek on the east end and Mammoth on the west end. It
is only about 20 miles long but will take a full day to traverse. You may want
to plan for two days to be safe and to let your body recuperate from the
rugged road! This is a serious four-wheel-drive road. For your safety, travel
with another vehicle. Carry plenty of extra water and food, plus spare tires
and tools that may be needed for vehicle repairs.

The road crosses a variety of land ownership including federal, state, and
private lands. Respect public and private property, and be careful with
campfires. Part of Turkey Creek is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern
because of the sensitive riparian and cultural resources. Stay on the road,
and please use the existing campsites. Pack out all trash. Use dead and down
wood for campfires.

Rug Road got its name from the remnants of carpet that people have used to fill holes and ledges along the road to make it more passable. The road is one of the roughest roads in the Safford Field Office - it is not for the faint of heart.

Travel on the Rug Road requires a good high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle and experience driving in these conditions. The road transverses Table Mountain between Turkey Creek on the east end and Mammoth on the west end. It is only about 20 miles long but will take a full day to traverse. You may want to plan for two days to be safe and to let your body recuperate from the rugged road! This is a serious four-wheel-drive road. For your safety, travel with another vehicle. Carry plenty of extra water and food, plus spare tires and tools that may be needed for vehicle repairs.

The road crosses a variety of land ownership including federal, state, and private lands. Respect public and private property, and be careful with campfires. Part of Turkey Creek is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern because of the sensitive riparian and cultural resources. Stay on the road, and please use the existing campsites. Pack out all trash. Use dead and down wood for campfires.

Bird's eye view of the park

Rug Road

Oracle

With towering cliffs, flowing water and a rich diversity of flora and fauna,
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness remains as one of Arizona's truly unique areas. Its
19,410 acres of designated wilderness beckons adventurers who yearn for
solitude and scenic splendor. Located in southeast Arizona, roughly between
Tucson and Phoenix, the wilderness and surrounding public and private land
conserve a vital ecosystem for future generations.

Aravaipa Creek flows year-round, an unusual phenomenon in the Arizona desert.
Nurtured by this abundant water, large sycamore, ash, cottonwood, and willow
trees flourish along the stream, flanked by other riparian vegetation. In the
fall, a kaleidoscope of brilliant red and golden leaves contrasts dramatically
with the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape.

The Bureau of Land Management manages Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness to protect
its essential wilderness character and fragile environment while providing the
visitor with a world-class opportunity for primitive and unconfined
recreation. **You must have a permit to hike, backpack, and hunt in Aravaipa
Canyon and all the side canyons.** **Learn more about Aravaipa Canyon
permits.**

## Know Before You Go

  * Expect the wild! There are no designated trails, campsites, signs, or facilities within the wilderness boundaries. The land is rugged and you should be in good condition to pass through dense riparian vegetation (a sign of a healthy ecosystem). Wear sturdy footwear suitable for hiking in sand, gravel, and cobble with potential for numerous stream crossings in knee-deep water.
  * From the west trailhead (2,630 feet), expect a continuous 430-foot elevation gain over uneven terrain for 12.25 miles to the east trailhead (3,060 feet).
  * There are multiple side canyons, caves, outcrops, chimneys, and "windows" to explore along your way. Strong or destination hikers can traverse from end to end in 8 to 10 hours, while nature watchers, photographers, and those wanting to explore side canyons may take one or two nights.

With towering cliffs, flowing water and a rich diversity of flora and fauna, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness remains as one of Arizona's truly unique areas. Its 19,410 acres of designated wilderness beckons adventurers who yearn for solitude and scenic splendor. Located in southeast Arizona, roughly between Tucson and Phoenix, the wilderness and surrounding public and private land conserve a vital ecosystem for future generations.

Aravaipa Creek flows year-round, an unusual phenomenon in the Arizona desert. Nurtured by this abundant water, large sycamore, ash, cottonwood, and willow trees flourish along the stream, flanked by other riparian vegetation. In the fall, a kaleidoscope of brilliant red and golden leaves contrasts dramatically with the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape.

The Bureau of Land Management manages Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness to protect its essential wilderness character and fragile environment while providing the visitor with a world-class opportunity for primitive and unconfined recreation. You must have a permit to hike, backpack, and hunt in Aravaipa Canyon and all the side canyons. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona/aravaipa" rel="nofollow">Learn more about Aravaipa Canyon permits.</a>

<h2>Know Before You Go</h2>

<ul>
<li>Expect the wild! There are no designated trails, campsites, signs, or facilities within the wilderness boundaries. The land is rugged and you should be in good condition to pass through dense riparian vegetation (a sign of a healthy ecosystem). Wear sturdy footwear suitable for hiking in sand, gravel, and cobble with potential for numerous stream crossings in knee-deep water.</li>
<li>From the west trailhead (2,630 feet), expect a continuous 430-foot elevation gain over uneven terrain for 12.25 miles to the east trailhead (3,060 feet).</li>
<li>There are multiple side canyons, caves, outcrops, chimneys, and "windows" to explore along your way. Strong or destination hikers can traverse from end to end in 8 to 10 hours, while nature watchers, photographers, and those wanting to explore side canyons may take one or two nights.</li>
</ul>

You must have a permit to hike, backpack, and hunt in Aravaipa Canyon and all
the side canyons. Learn more about Aravaipa Canyon permits.

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Nestled in the northern foothills of the Galiuro Mountains of southeastern
Arizona lies Turkey Creek, a small riparian canyon that flows into Aravaipa
Creek. Lined with large sycamore, Arizona walnut, and Arizona white oak trees,
this narrow canyon provides a quiet retreat for picnicking and camping.

Numerous small pull-outs along the three-mile length of the canyon are perfect
for primitive camping. Day hiking is easy along the canyon bottom, a jumping
off point to the east entrance of Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness.

Colorful birds, as well as an occasional deer, javelina, or even a coatimundi,
can be seen on early morning walks along the dirt road. A short trail leads to
a prehistoric cliff dwelling; remnants of 120 years of homesteading and
ranching are visible in the canyon. Due to its rich natural and cultural
resources, part of Turkey Creek has been identified as an Area of Critical
Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land Management.  
  
The Turkey Creek cliff dwelling is one of the most intact structures of its
kind in southeastern Arizona. It was probably occupied for a few months each
year by prehistoric farmers around 1300 A.D. These people, of the Salado
culture, probably collected plants along Turkey Creek, grew corn, and hunted
wild animals. Salado farmers disappeared suddenly around 1450 A.D.  
  
Access to Turkey Creek is via a dirt road that is maintained by Graham County.
Conditions vary with seasonal precipitation and may require high-clearance
vehicles and sometimes four-wheel drive.

Restrooms are located at a small parking area near the wilderness boundary;
maps and information about the wilderness are available at the BLM ranger
station in Klondyke. Restrooms and general information is available at the
wilderness parking lot, additional information at the ranger station in
Klondyke, developed campsites at Fourmile Canyon Campground in Klondyke,
interpretive sign at the cliff dwelling.

Nestled in the northern foothills of the Galiuro Mountains of southeastern Arizona lies Turkey Creek, a small riparian canyon that flows into Aravaipa Creek. Lined with large sycamore, Arizona walnut, and Arizona white oak trees, this narrow canyon provides a quiet retreat for picnicking and camping.Numerous small pull-outs along the three-mile length of the canyon are perfect for primitive camping. Day hiking is easy along the canyon bottom, a jumping off point to the east entrance of <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/aravaipa-canyon-wilderness" rel="nofollow">Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness</a>.Colorful birds, as well as an occasional deer, javelina, or even a coatimundi, can be seen on early morning walks along the dirt road. A short trail leads to a prehistoric cliff dwelling; remnants of 120 years of homesteading and ranching are visible in the canyon. Due to its rich natural and cultural resources, part of Turkey Creek has been identified as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land Management. The Turkey Creek cliff dwelling is one of the most intact structures of its kind in southeastern Arizona. It was probably occupied for a few months each year by prehistoric farmers around 1300 A.D. These people, of the Salado culture, probably collected plants along Turkey Creek, grew corn, and hunted wild animals. Salado farmers disappeared suddenly around 1450 A.D. Access to Turkey Creek is via a dirt road that is maintained by Graham County. Conditions vary with seasonal precipitation and may require high-clearance vehicles and sometimes four-wheel drive.Restrooms are located at a small parking area near the wilderness boundary; maps and information about the wilderness are available at the BLM ranger station in Klondyke. Restrooms and general information is available at the wilderness parking lot, additional information at the ranger station in Klondyke, developed campsites at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/fourmile-canyon-campground" rel="nofollow">Fourmile Canyon Campground</a> in Klondyke, interpretive sign at the cliff dwelling.

Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail

A graded county road provides access to the east Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
boundary. Creek crossings and seasonal road conditions may necessitate high-
clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Winter and summer flooding make the
road impassable to all vehicles. Call the Safford Field Office for road
information.

A graded county road provides access to the east <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/aravaipa-canyon-wilderness" rel="nofollow">Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness</a> boundary. Creek crossings and seasonal road conditions may necessitate high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Winter and summer flooding make the road impassable to all vehicles. Call the Safford Field Office for road information.

Rug Road

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Oracle

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail

Turkey Creek