Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Graham and Pinal Counties, Arizona
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is a protected natural area covering about 19,400 acres in southeastern Arizona, with a permanent stream running through an 11-mile canyon surrounded by tablelands and cliff walls. The canyon remains relatively undeveloped, allowing visitors to experience an intact desert landscape.
The area received wilderness protection status in 1984 through the Bureau of Land Management to preserve its natural condition and ecosystem. This designation established legal protections that limit human impact and development within the canyon system.
Native plants and animals thrive in this protected environment, where visitors can observe natural behaviors without modern infrastructural interference.
Visitors need a permit limited to 50 people daily, with reservations available 13 weeks in advance through the Bureau of Land Management. The hike through the canyon involves navigating rocky terrain and crossing the stream multiple times, so sturdy footwear and water resistance are essential.
Year-round water flow supports large sycamore, ash, cottonwood, and willow trees that create a forest-like environment in the middle of the desert. This permanent stream makes it possible for wildlife that typically requires riparian conditions to thrive far from other river systems.
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