Hellsgate Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Gila County, Arizona.
Hellsgate Wilderness is a protected wilderness area in Gila County covering more than 37,000 acres and defined by deep canyons. The centerpiece is a roughly 1,000-foot gorge carved by Tonto Creek through the Mogollon Rim.
The Salado culture inhabited the southern section until around the 14th century and practiced agriculture there. Environmental shifts eventually led them to abandon the region.
The name comes from the dramatic gorge carved by Tonto Creek through the Mogollon Rim. Native peoples hunted across this land for generations before moving to reservations in the late 1800s.
Most roads require a four-wheel-drive vehicle, especially Forest Road 133, to reach the area. Hikers and backpackers can use Trail 37, which offers several entry points.
In 1927, an airplane carrying MGM's famous mascot Leo the Lion made an emergency landing nearby. The event left its mark on local history, and the place was later named Leo Canyon.
Location: Arizona
GPS coordinates: 34.19140,-111.12900
Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07
Canyon Lake
77.5 km
Four Peaks
59.3 km
Tonto Natural Bridge
33.4 km
Blue Ridge Reservoir
39.3 km
Skeleton Cave
71.4 km
Willow Springs Lake
26.6 km
Discovery Channel Telescope
67.2 km
Wet Beaver Wilderness
50 km
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
66.4 km
Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities
55.3 km
Sears-Kay Ruin
41.2 km
V-Bar-V Heritage Site
75.3 km
Mormon Flat Dam
76.6 km
Fossil Springs Wilderness
47.6 km
Roosevelt Lake Bridge
57.7 km
Verde River Sheep Bridge
54.8 km
Sierra Ancha Wilderness
47.2 km
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
33.4 km
Fossil Creek Bridge
51.2 km
Beaver Creek Ranger Station
75.7 km
Strawberry Schoolhouse
43.1 km
Clear Creek Church
74.2 km
Pleasant Valley Ranger Station
19.3 km
Tonto National Monument Visitor Center
60.8 km
Verde River Golf and Social Club
72.1 km
Boulder Creek Bridge
78.1 km
Aztec Peak Lookout
46.9 km
Moqui Lookout
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