The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is a protected landscape made up of over 23,000 acres in southern Arizona. Within this area is the Gila River, which is a fast-moving river popular with white water rafters and kayakers. This area is maintained by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which keeps the space open to the public for free.
Perhaps what makes the Gila Box Conservation Area unique is Gila Box itself, a section of land comprised of deep canyons and a mix of woodlands and beaches. Also found here are the Gila Conglomerate cliffs, which measure over 1,000 feet tall at their highest points, and multiple creeks extending out from the Gila River, all coming together to create a perfect riparian, or river-fueled wetland, environment.
Consider hiking the Angel Basin Trail in the spring and summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom. This trail is generally difficult with steep elevations.
Length: 13 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Coronado Trail is a hiking trail that was formerly a section of US Route 66 in Arizona. This trail is lengthy but can be hiked in small sections.
Length: 123 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Gould Mine Trail follows a moderately difficult path with some steep elevations but has great viewpoints of the Arizona landscape along the way.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Perhaps the most common activity at Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is whitewater rafting on the Gila River. The best time to enjoy rafting, kayaking, and canoeing on the river is in the springtime when there is extra runoff water coming into the river, making for more intense rapids. Those who prefer a slower moving river, though, can use the river for floating in the summer, particularly at the end of summer, when the water level is lower.
Fishing is permitted in the Gila River, too, with a valid Arizona state-issued fishing license. There are also two major creeks, the Bonita Creek and Eagle Creek, which flow through the area, as well as the San Francisco River, which anglers can use. Species you may find include largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and Gila trout.
Many visitors come to the Gila Box area just to catch a glimpse of the wildlife that makes this riparian ecosystem their home. You may be able to see animals like coyotes, deer, lizards, squirrels, skunks, and bighorn sheep up close. Birdwatchers can also use the area to spot species like scaled quail, greater roadrunner, Mexican jay, Chihuahuan raven, white-winged dove, and sage thrasher year-round while the black-chinned, Costa's, broad-tailed, Rufous, Calliope, and magnificent hummingbirds can all be seen in the summer. If you are visiting Gila Box for birdwatching, be sure to explore the areas near the roads, near the rivers, and in the forests to see the widest variety of species possible.
You may picnic at Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area at the Flying W Group Day Use Picnic Area for free on a first-come, first-served basis. If you'd like to reserve this area for a large group, though, you may do so for a fee through the BLM's Safford Field Office. This day-use area is located right next to the Riverview Campground, one of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, and includes a parking lot, six picnic tables, drinking water access, vault restrooms, grills, shade coverings, and even horseshoe pits. There are also trash cans at this day-use area for you to use, but if you are picnicking here, be sure to bring your own containers for storing leftovers as necessary since raccoons tend to rummage for food in these trash bins.
The Arizona wilderness is the ideal destination for stargazing, and you can stargaze at Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area via overnight camping since the day-use area closes after dark. When you come to Gila Box for stargazing, be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of your trip and plan on coming on a night that is clear and dry so that you can see the starry sky best. It's also a good idea to bring bug repellant since the riparian ecosystem is a hub for mosquitos.
You can certainly stay at a campground inside of the Gila Box area, but your experience will be primitive, meaning you will not have any RV hookups. For more comfortable RV camping, you can stay at another campground nearby this area, like North Clifton RV Park. This RV park is owned by the state of Arizona but still offers electricity and water at each of its campsites.
When you're looking for BLM camping near me, check out the BLM-owned campgrounds at Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, which includes Riverview Campground and Owl Creek Campground. Both of these campgrounds have picnic tables, grills, vault bathrooms, and trash bins for each campsite to use while Riverview Campground also offers potable water stations. Riverview Campground has a total of 13 campsites while Owl Creek Campground has a total of seven campsites, but both do require a fee to stay each night.
For Bureau of Land Management free camping, consider staying in the Gila Box area in a dispersed manner, outside of the campgrounds, which is permitted for up to 14 days at a time with no fees.
If you are planning to visit Gila Box, be sure to pack for the time of year accordingly. The summers in Gila Box can be extremely hot and humid while the winters are usually very cold. Flooding is common in the spring and summer as well, so wearing rain boots may be necessary.
When you choose to camp at Gila Box, you are choosing to stay right in the heart of preserved nature. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All Gila Box area visitors are required to adhere to the BLM's Leave No Trace policy in order to help keep the riparian ecosystem completely preserved. This policy is easy to follow and asks you to do things like clean up after yourself, keep your distance from the wildlife, and watch campfires at all times.
To Reach Gila Box from Safford, start out on US Highway 70 East to Solomon, then turn left onto Sanchez Road. From there, you will find that the road turns to a dirt path, and the entrance to the Bonita Creek and lower Gila Box will be marked by a BLM sign.
Ready to visit Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
