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 ahead for road information.

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 ahead for road information.

Bird's eye view of the park

Turkey Creek

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 BLM.  
  
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 at the wilderness parking lot, additional
information at the ranger station in Klondyke, developed campsites at Fourmile
Canyon Campground in Klondyke, interpretive sign at 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 BLM. 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 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 cliff dwelling.

Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail

The North Santa Teresa Wilderness (5,800 acres) in Arizona is managed by the
Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the North Santa Teresa 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 any Reservation lands. You will also need
permission from private landowners before you can cross their lands to reach
the wilderness area.

The North Santa Teresa Wilderness (5,800 acres) in Arizona is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the North Santa Teresa 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 any Reservation lands. You will also need permission from private landowners before you can cross their lands to reach the wilderness area.

North Santa Teresa Wilderness

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.

Turkey Creek

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail

North Santa Teresa Wilderness

Rug Road