Bureau of Land Management
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

The narrow and twisting Aravaipa Canyon is a biological treasury and scenic wonder. Aravaipa Creek has spent many, many years cutting a trough up to 1,000' deep into the rock of the Galiuro Mountains, leaving carved canyon walls painted with subtle sandy colors. Springs, seeps and tributary streams help the creek to flow all year round, supporting southern Arizona's most lush riparian habitat. The main canyon runs about 11 miles, and the 19,700-acre Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness extends well beyond that main canyon to include 9 side canyons and the surrounding tablelands. Aravaipa Creek carries 7 different species of native desert fish, 2 of which are on the federal list as endangered species: the loach minnow and the spikedace. There are at least 238 species of birds found in the area in addition to an extensive array of large and small mammals and reptiles, including a significant herd of Desert Bighorn sheep. Elevations vary from about 2,800' at the bottom of the west end of Aravaipa Canyon to 6,150' on top of Table Mountain.

The Aravaipa Canyon Preserve is a Nature Conservancy property of about 7,000 acres that spans both the east and west ends of Aravaipa Canyon and also includes deeded lands intermixed with the Bureau of Land Management's 35,000-acre property on the south rim.

To visit Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and take a walk in this spectacular place, you'll want to make an advance reservation: this canyon has had an overuse problem since the 1960's. There are no marked or maintained trails, but there is a well-worn path along the bottom of the canyon, crossing the creek in several places. At times, the canyon is so narrow that wading in the stream is your only option.

To make reservations to visit Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness: call the BLM Safford office at 928-348-4400. The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is open daily, year-round. The Nature Conservancy allows pedestrian access to the Preserve only with prior authorization from Aravaipa Canyon Preserve staff. To get to the Wilderness, vehicles must follow the road which crosses Nature Conservancy property (and also crosses Aravaipa Creek several times). The road is gravel, can be rough at times and is often closed when it's wet. All visitors are asked to stay on the road across the Preserve until they come to the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness parking lot (it's well marked). No dogs, horses, firearms, fishing, hunting, off-road entry, picnicking, camping or campfires are allowed on the Preserve. At the west end of Aravaipa Canyon camping is allowed at the tiny Brandenburg Campsite, across from the Brandenburg Ranger Station. Space is very limited, no fires are allowed but there are rest rooms and trash barrels. There are 2 camping areas available at the east end of Aravaipa Canyon. About a mile southwest of the Klondyke store you'll find the Fourmile Canyon Campground: 10 sites, grills, picnic tables and $5 per night. Near the east wilderness entrance you'll find the Turkey Creek Campground: no facilities, no fees. Camping in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is by permit only.

To get to Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness from Phoenix: follow US 60 to Superior, then take SR 177 to Winkelman. At Winkelman turn south on SR 77 and go 11 miles to Aravaipa Road. Follow Aravaipa Road 12 miles east to the trailhead on the west side of the Wilderness. To get to the east side of the Wilderness find your way to Klondyke and then keep going west.

USGS Maps: 7.5 minute: Brandenburg Mountain, Booger Canyon, Oak Grove Canyon, Holy Joe Peak