Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Tonto National Forest, Arizona.
The Sierra Ancha Wilderness extends across 20,850 acres of land, featuring deep canyons, steep cliffs, and dense pine forests at elevations between 4,000 and 7,700 feet.
Established in 1933 as a Primitive Area, this territory contains Native American cliff dwellings constructed with stone slabs and mud mortar in the Pleasant Valley district.
The region marks the location of the Pleasant Valley War from 1882 to 1892, which resulted in the highest number of casualties among range conflicts in United States history.
Visitors can explore 45 miles of trails throughout the wilderness, with camping permitted at Alderwood and Haigler Canyon campgrounds, though water sources are not available.
The wilderness contains Devil's Chasm ruins and Colcord Falls, which creates a natural swimming area during periods of sufficient rainfall.
Location: Arizona
GPS coordinates: 33.82170,-110.87800
Latest update: March 6, 2025 03:57
Arizona contains geological formations spanning millions of years alongside evidence of Spanish colonial settlement and prehistoric cultures. The landscape includes sandstone canyons such as Antelope Canyon X and Canyon de Chelly National Monument, extensive desert areas with saguaro and organ pipe cacti, and volcanic remnants at Sunset Crater. Historical sites include Spanish missions like Tumacácori, pueblo ruins at Montezuma Castle, and mining towns such as Bisbee and Jerome. The state holds significant paleontological sites at Petrified Forest National Park, where fossilized tree trunks from the Triassic period lie exposed, and cave systems like Kartchner Caverns with active speleothem formations. The Vermilion Cliffs region displays layered sandstone formations including The Wave, while the Chiricahua Mountains show volcanic rock pinnacles formed from welded ash. Waterfalls such as Havasu Falls and Grand Falls result from geological faulting and seasonal water flow. Archaeological sites document occupation by the Hohokam, Sinagua, and Ancestral Puebloans between 300 and 1400 CE. Tonto Natural Bridge forms one of the largest travertine bridges in North America, while Besh-Ba-Gowah shows Salado culture construction methods from the 13th century. The territory spans from the Sonoran Desert in the south to the Colorado Plateau in the north, creating distinct climate zones and ecosystems within a compact area.
Canyon Lake
60.3 km
Four Peaks
44.2 km
Skeleton Cave
52.7 km
Willow Springs Lake
54.6 km
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
19.5 km
Sears-Kay Ruin
37.7 km
Besh-Ba-Gowah
49.9 km
Mormon Flat Dam
60.1 km
Roosevelt Lake Bridge
30.6 km
Globe Downtown Historic District
48.3 km
Gila County Courthouse
48.1 km
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church
47.2 km
Holy Angels Church
48.3 km
Gila Valley Bank and Trust Building
48.3 km
Elks Building
48.3 km
Pleasant Valley Ranger Station
33.1 km
Miami Community Church
47 km
United States Post Office and Courthouse–Globe Main
49.2 km
Globe Ranger Station
50.4 km
Besh-Ba-Gowah Museum
49.9 km
Tonto National Monument Visitor Center
29.3 km
Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum
47.6 km
Gila County Historical Museum
46.5 km
Boulder Creek Bridge
59.9 km
Aztec Peak Lookout
3 km
Pinto Creek Bridge
51.7 km
Mormon Flat Bridge
61.1 km
Alchesay Canyon Bridge
31.1 kmReviews
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