The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
People of the Salado culture used this area surrounding the Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail for farming starting in about 1300 A.D. before suddenly disappearing about 1450 A.D. As you hike through this area, you will discover remnants of historic farms. You are also likely to see deer, javelina, and coatimundi on an early morning hike. The trail is about five miles long, and it's managed by the Bureau of Land Management, a government agency that manages public sites like this throughout Arizona and other states across the country. Take advantage of Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities to dry camp in this area for up to 14 days. While there are no services, you will enjoy reconnecting with nature at this site that is about 330 miles southeast of Grand Canyon National Park.
You will need to get a permit to hike along this trail. It is a fabulous place for a summer hike because you will usually be walking in a creek. It is also a special place for a fall hike when the maple leaves turn yellow, orange, and red. Check the weather before starting as this area is prone to flash flooding.
Length: 9.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail in Coronado National Forest starts about one mile from Shannon Campground. You will hike by a 100-foot-tall fire lookout tower that the Civilian Conservation Corps built in 1933. This out-and-back trail branches off Arcadia Trail #328 and has steep ascents as you summit the top of Heliograph Peak.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Start this trail at Shannon Campground and enjoy a downhill ascent to Arcadia Campground. This trail is attractive because the first part runs under Douglas fir trees while the second runs under ponderosa pine trees. White-tail deer and black bears are often spotted along this trial.
Length: 9.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Frye Mesa Reservoir is a fantastic place to go fishing as the state stocks it regularly with Gila trout. This is one of the few lakes in Arizona where this fish can be caught legally, but anglers often catch Apache trout at this location too. This small reservoir requires a short hike to reach, and there are no services.
Mt. Graham is an awesome place to go for a climbing adventure. Start at the Wet Canyon Picnic Area and follow the creek upstream to find clean granite walls to climb. Other walls can be climbed by following the creek downstream from Riggs Lake. Since the Wet Canyon sites are shaded and the Riggs Lake sites are at a high elevation, both can be climbed year-round.
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is a fantastic place to spot wildlife because this 23,000-acre facility contains the Gila and San Francisco rivers and Bonita and Eagle creeks, where animals come to get water. Many people go kayaking and canoeing at this location to see the wildlife. Others head to Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, where you can often spot bighorn sheep, black bears, javelinas, mountain lions, and cougars.
The Serena Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is a terrific place for a picnic. Here, you can enjoy dining on the picnic tables under the huge cottonwood trees. After lunch, explore the cabin that workers constructed in the 1920s and the BLM restored in 1991.
While there are no hookups for BLM RV camping at Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail, there are many fabulous choices nearby. At Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, you can camp at Riverview Campground. There are 13 camping spaces at this Bureau of Land Management camping facility. While there are no hookups, potable water is available. Another option within the conservation area is Owl Creek Campground. Both of these BLM camping opportunities are on the Black Hills Back Country Byway.
If you are visiting Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail and looking for free "BLM camping near me," you can camp on the wide shoulders of the dirt road leading to this site. You can also boondock at the Safford Morenci Trailhead. In addition, you can boondock at Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area if you stay away from the rivers and creeks.
At the starting point of the dirt road going into the Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail, you will see Rug Road. This is a fantastic option if you have a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle and want to go from this point to Mammoth. This can be a terrific option as you can take in great scenery. You may also see mountain lions, wild turkeys, deer, and bighorn sheep.
You will love exploring this area and learning about the cave dwellers from the informational kiosks at numerous locations. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds offer outstanding low-cost camping opportunities. You can learn more about them by reading about BLM camping before your trip.
There is no trash service at Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail. Therefore, you should create an animal-proof plan to keep up with your trash and pack it out when you leave. Ensure that you use a heavy-duty container and wash out foodstuff before putting cans in the container. This helps keep this area pristine so that others can enjoy its beauty.
From Safford, head northwest about 15 miles on Highway 70. Turn west on Aravaipa-Klondyke Road and go approximately 40 miles. You will pass through Klondyke before reaching the Aravaipa Canyon trailhead parking lot. Depending on road conditions based on recent rainfall and your vehicle, you can hike or drive up Turkey Creek Road to reach the area. When you see Rugs Road heading to the right, you have arrived.
Address: Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail, Turkey Creek Road, Safford, Arizona 85546
Ready to visit Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling Trail? 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.
