Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, National Conservation Area in Graham and Greenlee Counties, Arizona
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area spans approximately 23,000 acres across two counties and is crossed by four year-round waterways: the Gila River, San Francisco River, and Bonita Creek with Eagle Creek. The landscape ranges in elevation from about 3,100 to 4,400 feet, while dramatic conglomerate cliffs frame the river corridors.
The area became a protected landscape in 1990 when the Bureau of Land Management established it to safeguard the riparian ecosystems along the Gila River in southeastern Arizona. This move recognized how vital these water-fed zones are for regional wildlife and the survival of species dependent on flowing water.
The land shows traces of centuries of human settlement along the waterways, including ancient dwellings, rock carvings, and structures that reveal how people lived in this landscape. These sites tell the story of those who relied on the rivers to survive and thrive.
Riverview Campground offers tables, shade structures, grills, and bathrooms for basic camping needs, while primitive camping is allowed outside riparian zones throughout the conservation area. Visitors should know that road conditions and trail accessibility vary with the seasons and weather patterns in this region.
The Gila Conglomerate cliffs tower over 1,000 feet above the river, creating a dramatic backdrop where bighorn sheep roam beneath mesquite woodlands and mature cottonwoods. These towering rock faces shelter rare animal species that depend on this specific habitat and terrain.
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