Nearby State Parks

Visit nearby Arizona State Parks.

Kartchner Caverns State Park
89 miles.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
99 miles.

Catalina State Park
141 miles.

Oracle State Park
146 miles.

Safford Area Attractions

What is there to do in Safford, AZ? The nearby community of Safford offers antique stores, restaurants, a golf course, museums, and front door access to Mt. Graham.

The following links are provided as a convenience only; they are not a recommendation of any product, service, or organization. Arizona State Parks maintains this list at its own discretion. Links will open in a new window and leave the Arizona State Parks website.

Pinaleno Mountains
Take Highway 366 nearly all the way to the top of Mt. Graham. This scenic drive offers spectacular scenery from the desert floor to a lush green mountain forest. Several recreational opportunities exist along the way, including hiking, camping, and fishing. The summit of Mt. Graham is 10,717 feet. (928) 428-4150.

Riggs Flat Lake
At 8,600 feet in the Pinaleno Mountains. This 11-acre lake offers a campground and fishing opportunities. Trailers over 22 feet are not allowed. The campground is open from May through November 15, weather permitting. (928) 428-4150.

Gila Box Riparian Natural Conservation Area
This area offers camping, picnicking, touring, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing, and floating the river. (928) 348-4400.

Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area
This area offers fishing, hunting, hiking, wildlife observation and photography, and limited camping. The site includes a picnic area, three fishing areas, and trails. (928) 485-9430.

Black Hills Back Country Byway
The Byway is unpaved, but accessible to high clearance vehicles during dry weather. It is 21 miles long with narrow drop-offs and steep cliffs, limited to vehicles under 20 feet in length. Kiosks along the way will explain about the natural and cultural history, geology, and wildlife in the area. (520) 348-4400.

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area
Arivaipa Canyon is a deep wilderness gorge of outstanding natural beauty. It is 11 miles from one trailhead to the other. The canyon is closed to motorized vehicles and equipment. A permit and fee are required in advance to enter the canyon. (928) 348-4400.

Hot Well Dunes
OHV sand dune recreation area. Also includes fenced in concrete hot tubs fed by Artesian mineral springs. (928) 348-4400.

Discovery Park: Nature's Hideaway
This nature hideaway offers specially designed viewing areas to watch wildlife and trails to walk through different habitats. Gov Aker observatory is also located at the park and offers a full motion flight simulator on a ride through the solar system. The observatory houses a 20-inch reflecting telescope and a 0.5-meter radio telescope. (928) 428-6260.

Mt. Graham International Observatory
Discovery Park conducts tours of the telescope at the Mt. Graham International Observatory. Tours run every Saturday through late fall, weather permitting. (928) 428-6260.

 

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