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Redfield Canyon Wilderness

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Redfield Canyon Wilderness

The Redfield Canyon Wilderness is located outside Tucson, Arizona, not too far from Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest. The wilderness spans 6,600 acres of the Sonoran Desert, offering visitors a glimpse into the complex, unique desert ecosystem. At higher elevations, there are also many forested areas. The canyon itself is narrow, and its red rock walls, which feature several caves, offer gorgeous photography opportunities. The remote area also offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities and many options for hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing.

BLM sites, which are areas of public lands set aside for visitors to explore and enjoy, often offer amenities for hiking, fishing, camping, or other recreational activities. To find BLM sites with camping amenities, you can search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Green Mountain Trail

This beautiful trail, located near Mount Lemmon, offers incredible views and is a great way to explore the area’s forested environment.

Length: 8.8 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Bassett Peak via East Divide Trail #287

This trail, located in the Galiuro Wilderness, is excellent for hiking and offers great bird-watching opportunities.

Length: 10.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Mount Graham Trail

Located in the Coronado National Forest, this trail provides views of the area’s gorgeous scenery and is particularly lovely when the foliage changes in the fall.

Length: 8.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Frye Mesa Reservoir Trail

This trail offers spectacular views of the desert landscape and the reservoir, and it provides access to several beaches.

Length: 0.9 miles

Intensity: Easy

Ash Creek Falls

This trail can be rocky, steep, and difficult to follow in some places, making it a good challenge for experienced hikers, but it offers beautiful views of the falls.

Length: 4.7 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Fishing and Boating

Silverbell Lake in Tucson is scenic and peaceful, and anglers can usually catch carp, trout, sunfish, catfish, and crappie. Nearby Kennedy Lake is also a fantastic spot for fishing, and it’s perfect for small boats or paddling with canoes or kayaks.

Climbing

There are many excellent options for climbing near the Redfield Canyon Wilderness, including the nearby Tanque Verde Canyon, which offers 16 sport routes of varying difficulties. The Mount Lemmon area offers almost 3,000 different traditional, sport, top-rope, aid, and alpine climbs, plus many bouldering opportunities. There are also nearly 200 bouldering options throughout the Tucson area, including great climbs at Panther Peak and Gate’s Pass.

Wildlife Viewing

Some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities can be found right in the Redfield Canyon Wilderness, but the Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, and Galiuro Wilderness are also excellent for wildlife viewing and photography. Native species include hawks, eagles, ravens, roadrunners, quail, rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, bobcats, mule deer, and the occasional mountain lion. The area is also home to many lizard and snake species, including rattlesnakes, bull snakes, and king snakes.

Picnicking

The Mica View Picnic Area offers easy access to the Mica View Trail. There are several picnic tables and grills available. The Overlook Picnic Area near Tucson provides beautiful views and many hiking options. There are shaded picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.

Horseback Riding

Many trails in the area, particularly off-roading trails such as the Redington OHV Trail, are ideal for horseback riding. Horseback riding is also very popular in the Redfield Canyon Wilderness itself. You can check each trail for its equestrian suitability before you head out.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping can be found at the Molino Basin Campground in the Coronado National Forest. The campground is open during the spring, winter, and fall and can accommodate RVs under 22 feet. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available. The Far Horizons RV Resort is also a great option. This resort offers large sites with full hookups. A pool, pickleball court, and many other entertainment options are also provided.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available in Redington Pass, where campers can set up a dispersed site. There are no amenities, so pack accordingly and always carry plenty of water. Dispersed camping is also available throughout the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. The Gardener Canyon Road Dispersed Campsite is another fantastic option, and this campground tends to be quiet and peaceful.

RV Rentals Near Redfield Canyon Wilderness Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Redfield Canyon Wilderness BLM trip

Some parts of the Redfield Canyon Wilderness are bordered by private or State Trust lands. Permission is required to cross these areas and enter the wilderness. If you’re crossing private lands, respect the property and always follow any posted signs or regulations. If you enter the wilderness area from Muleshoe Ranch, you’ll need to sign in at the Nature Conservancy registration area before continuing along the road. Jackson Cabin Road can be rough and generally requires four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Most wilderness areas, including the Redfield Canyon Wilderness, do not permit the use of motorized vehicles. This includes RVs, OHVs, drones, and motorboats. This rule also extends to mountain bikes, so choose other trails outside of the wilderness for mountain biking or OHV riding.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, hiking trails, and other natural areas, particularly wilderness areas, require special care, and Leave No Trace guidelines can help. In desert environments, it’s very important to be cautious when building fires. Always check the fire danger rating, make sure there are no bans in place, and keep all fires completely contained and controlled. Pack out all of your trash and throw it away when you reach a trash can. Be courteous of other visitors by sharing trails and keeping noise to a minimum. Respect the plants and animals around you. Never pick flowers or take anything home. If you want to watch wildlife, view it from a safe distance, and try not to scare any animals.

Redfield Canyon Wilderness Location

From Tucson, head east on Interstate 10 to Benson. Continue north along Pomerene Road to Redington, and then turn right at the bridge. You can then cross State Trust Lands to access the wilderness. Alternatively, you can take Interstate 10 to exit 340 at Willcox. Continue for 32 miles to Muleshoe Ranch. From the ranch, follow Jackson Cabin Road to the wilderness boundary.

Ready to visit Redfield Canyon Wilderness? 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 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.