State Parks and National Parks

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area

Safford, AZ U.S.A.

BLM Safford Field Office
711 14th Avenue
Safford, AZ 85546
U.S.A.

928-348-4400 Safford Field Office
928-348-4450 Fax

Open Year-Round

Entry Fee Charged

State Park Information

Established in 1990, the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is an ecologically unique desert river region in southeastern Arizona.

Four perennial waterways, the Gila River, Bonita Creek, Eagle Creek and San Francisco River, are the lifeblood of this remarkable place.

Not only does the area hold one of the most significant riparian (river) zones in the Southwest, it offers tremedous scientific, cultural, scenic and recreational value. It is one of only two Riparian National Conservation Areas in the country.

A 15-mile segment of Bonita Creek and 23 miles of the Gila River have been included in this special natural area designated by Congress. Bonita Creek, popular for birding and picnicking, is lined with large cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows.

Cliff dwellings, historic homesteads, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and over 200 species of birds make this cool year-round desert oasis worth the short drive from Safford.

The Gila River section, known as the Gila Box, is comprised of patchy mesquite woodlands, mature cottonwood trees, sandy beaches, and grand buff colored cliffs.

To reach the area, from Safford travel five miles east on U.S. Hwy. 70 to the town of Solomon and turn left onto Sanchez road. From there, travel north and cross the bridge at the Gila River. Drive seven more miles until you reach a Bonita Creek and Gila Box RNCA BLM sign, turn left onto that dirt road. Once on dirt road, continue traveling approximately 2.5 miles to the West entry sign of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.

Visitors can see oases where Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, songbirds and peregrine falcons thrive, despite the severe surroundings.

The Gila River travels through a sloping landscape of color contrasts, ranging from beige canyons to mesquite woodlands.

You can hike through the canyon for more than 20 miles. Trails are not marked. Sandy beaches make excellent swimming and camping sites.

Camping is allowed anywhere in the canyon.

There is a fee charged for camping and boat launch use.

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