Gila Box Riparian NCA — BLM Dispersed

Highlights

• ▶ Gila River canyon with sheer 600-ft walls, hot springs accessible only by foot or raft, and some of the best birding in eastern Arizona — the "Gila Box" (vertical canyon slot) visible from the rim road
• ▶ Bonita Creek confluence area has trailer-accessible dispersed sites on BLM land with direct cottonwood riparian access
• ▶ Zone-tailed hawks, black hawks, and nesting bald eagles in the canyon; hot springs approximately 1 mile downstream from the Gila Box Trailhead (requires wading)

Planning Notes

Access via Sanchez Road east of Safford off US-70 — paved to the Bonita Creek trailhead, then graded gravel. 30-ft practical trailer limit. No facilities; Safford (Walmart, fuel, dump station) is 18 miles west. Pairs naturally with Roper Lake SP (hot springs, hookups) 5 miles south of Safford for a rest stop. From Austin: ~11.5 hrs via I-10 W through El Paso then I-10 to Lordsburg NM then US-70 W to Safford.