Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

The perennial waters of Aravaipa Creek have carved a scenic canyon through the Sonoran Desert at the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Saguaro cactus dot the canyon slopes, and a mixed-broadleaf riparian forest lines the canyon slopes at the creek. The canyon, 1,000 feet deep in places, is home to desert bighorn sheep, javelinas, coati mundis, ringtail cats, and other interesting wildlife. The creek is home to 7 species of native fish, and over 200 species of birds live among the cottonwoods, sycamores, willows, ash, and other riparian species in the canyon. Aravaipa Canyon is 11 miles long, and elevations range from 3,000 feet at the eastern trailhead to 2,650 feet at the western trailhead. Nine major side canyons feed into Aravaipa.

(To east trailhead) From Safford, travel 13 miles west on State Highway 70 to the Aravaipa/Klondyke Rd. Turn left, and follow the Aravaipa/Klondyke Rd. 32 miles to Klondyke, where there is a BLM Ranger Station. From Klondyke, continue on the Aravaipa Rd. for 10 miles.