What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Heliograph Peak Trail
This trail, which is dog-friendly, offers beautiful views of blooming wildflowers during the spring.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Island Day Use Area Loop
Located in the nearby Roper Lake State Park, this trail offers a leisurely hike with views of the lake.
Length: 0.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Ladybug Trail
This trail features some steep uphill climbs but rewards hikers with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Length: 10.9 miles
Intensity: Hard
Ash Creek Falls
The Ash Creek Falls trail is located in the Coronado National Forest, and it offers stunning views of the landscape.
Length: 4.7 miles
Intensity: Hard
Fishing and Boating
The Gila River offers excellent opportunities for catfish fishing, and the south end of the Old Safford Bridge, near the east end of the byway, is a great spot for casting a line. This location is also a good place to launch for those who are looking to tube or to float down the river.
Wildlife Viewing
The Canyon Overlook Picnic Area and the area around the Black Hills Back Country Byway are excellent for viewing wildlife. Visitors can expect to see mule deer, javelina, coyotes, bobcats, rabbits, and a wide range of reptiles, including lizards, snakes, and desert tortoises. There are also many birds in the area, like hawks, roadrunners, cactus wrens, and quails.
Picnicking
The Canyon Overlook Picnic Area is, as its name suggests, the perfect spot to stop for a picnic. The area features shaded ramadas, and visitors can enjoy a view of the Gila River. There is also another picnic area at the north end of the Old Safford Bridge near the eastern end of the byway.
Rock Collecting
Rock and gem enthusiasts should stop by the Black Hills Rockhound Area, which is located along the Black Hills Back Country Byway. Here, rockhounds can dig without a permit — some lucky rock enthusiasts might come across fire agate, which is only found in certain regions throughout Arizona, California, and Mexico.
