Salt River Canyon Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Gila County, Arizona

Salt River Canyon Wilderness is a protected area in Gila County featuring dramatic canyon walls with dense saguaro forests throughout. The Upper Salt River flows through the deep gorge, creating a striking geographic division between the plateaus on either side of the canyon.

The canyon was designated a federal wilderness area in 1984 under the Wilderness Act, which set aside 32,115 acres within Tonto National Forest. The boundary follows the Salt River and its gorge for the full length of the protected area, from about 2,200 feet at the lower end up to 4,200 feet on White Ledge Mountain.

The wilderness lies within Gila County, and the Salt River canyon it protects is flanked by the Fort Apache Reservation to the north and the San Carlos Apache Reservation to the south. U.S. Route 60 and Arizona State Route 77 wind down through the canyon, crossing the river at the bottom before climbing the far side.

Visitors should know that water flows are most powerful between March and May and require special permits for river travel. Elevation varies significantly from low desert to higher forest areas, which will affect physical demands.

U.S. Route 60 and Arizona State Route 77 wind through the canyon, dropping close to the river at the bottom before crossing it and climbing the opposite wall. Drivers get a close look at the river corridor without leaving the road, though there are no maintained trails anywhere in the wilderness.