
GILA COUNTY HISTORY ITINERARY
Find A Place To Stay
Where To Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Getting your adventure off on the right foot is very important and a trip to Gila County would not be complete without a hearty breakfast. After lots of exploring you are going to want to take a brake and grab some lunch at one of our many cafe's. HINT: The Mexican food is world renouned. Lastly, dinner is a great time to unwind and share your stories of exploring the wild. Click here to find suitable locations for your eating pleasure.
What To Plan For
While visiting any of these areas, please help us protect these special places for the continued enjoyment of others to come.
General Information
• Please practice “Leave No Trace” and pack out what you bring in.
• For everyone’s safety, please drive your vehicle only on paved surfaces and stay on designated trails.
Pets
• For the enjoyment of your visit and the consideration of our other guests, we ask that you keep your pet on a maximum six-foot leash at all times. Some locations do not allow pets and we suggest that you call ahead to make sure you can bring them.
Water
DAY 1 - SAN CARLOS, ARIZONA
San Carlos Apache Cultural Museum
The San Carlos Apache Reservation was founded in 1871 and is the biggest concentrated Indian land in the world. In the museum, you’ll find ancient burden baskets and adornments. Apache cradleboards in ornamental and full size are also available. Explore the Peridot jewelry, carvings, beaded caps and paintings on hand.
In the gift shop, you’ll find books on Apache history, a hearty information center, and keepsakes like keychains and jewelry. The museum and store are hosted by “The People,” also known as “Mountain People,” and are all Apache citizens. Learn about the history of one of the most well-known Native communities in the country directly from the descendants.With fantastic crafts on display and intriguing lectures, it’s well worth the drive to Peridot to see the descendants of Geronimo. The well-organized museum is small and intimate. However, there are regular additions to the archives and exhibits as more of the local history is unearthed.
San Carlos Apache Cultural Museum is located Mile Marker 272, Highway #70 in Peridot. [
Map It]
Start Your Adventure Here
It is key to point out that you can start your adventure at any point in the itinerary, but we are going to give you a linear path to follow so that you can enjoy as many things along the way. Simply click on the “+” characters below for each destination that makes up this itinerary.
DAY 1 - GLOBE & MIAMI, ARIZONA
One mile southwest of the City of Globe, Arizona, stand the ruins of the ancient Salado people who occupied the site nearly 800 years ago.
This ancient village is known today as Besh Ba Gowah. The term was originally given by the Apaches to the early settlement of Globe. Roughly translated, the term means “place of metal.”
The partially restored ruins, along with the adjacent museum provide a fascinating glimpse at the lifestyle of the people who occupied this region over two centuries before Columbus discovered the “New World.”
Besh Ba Gowah offers visitors a chance to explore the ruins, a museum which houses a large collection of Salado pottery and artifacts, botanical gardens, and a gift shop. Click Here to learn more.
GILA COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Click here to learn more.
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BULLION PLAZA CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM


OLD WEST SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HAUNTED GILA COUNTYJAIL

DAY 2 - ROOSEVELT LAKE & TONTO NATIONAL MONUMENT
ROOSEVELT LAKE VISITORS CENTER
The Roosevelt Lake Visitor Center has several artifacts from the Salado culture. On exhibit are examples of storage pottery made and used by the people who inhabited this area over 600 years ago. More recently the Apache arrived, and many still reside in the surrounding areas. The Roosevelt Lake Visitor Center has a selection of historical baskets on exhibit that were used by members of the tribe in their everyday living.
Wildlife-viewing opportunities are abundant for visitors to the lake. A wide variety of birds can be observed. Specific species include bald eagles, osprey, gulls, grebes, cardinals, cactus wrens, and hummingbirds. Both mule and white-tail deer roam the countryside and a herd of javelina just might cross your path at any time. Nocturnal creatures include coyote, mountain lions, and bobcat, as well as a variety of other small animals.
TONTO NATIONAL MONUMENT STATE PARK

DAY 3 - PAYSON, ARIZONA
NORTHERN GILA COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Located in Green Valley Park in Payson, Arizona, this museum features exhibits that reflect the natural and cultural history of the greater Payson area called the "Rim Country." Here you will learn about the birth of a Rodeo Town, the Pioneers, Ranchers, Prospectors, Cowboys and others that called Payson home. You will also learn more about the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo that happens in Payson every year on the 3rd weekend in August. Back in the day, it was known as the "August Doin's," and it rivaled Christmas. The town would swell with families and visitors. The event is now more than 130 years old.
You will learn about "Arizona" Charlie Meadows and John Collins Chilson, who were the original founders of the Rodeo. Abram Henson Meadows (March 10, 1860 – December 9, 1932), also known as Charlie Meadows and Arizona Charlie, was an American showman and sharpshooter, and a contemporary of "Buffalo Bill" Cody whose Wild West Show inspired Meadows to pursue his own performing career. This museum will leave you will a sense of understanding for those that have come before and the legacy they have left behind.
ZANE GREY CABIN MUSEUM
A historic replica of Zane Grey's cabin -- lost in 1990 during the Dude Fire -- was built in Green Valley Park in 2005 through the efforts of the non-profit Zane Grey Cabin Foundation. It was officially turned over to the Northern Gila County Historical Society on Saturday October 15, 2005.In 1921, Zane Grey bought three acres of land under the Mogollon Rim and had the cabin contructed. He used the cabin as a retreat and writing space until 1929, after which the cabin slowly fell into disrepair. In the 1960's, Phoenix businessman William Goettl bought the structure and hired Richard Haught, a descendant of the original builder, to restore it.
In 1972, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and by 1989 it was attracting an average of 20,000 visitors a year.After the Dude Fire of 1990 destroyed the cabin, the Zane Grey Cabin Foundation was formed to raise funds and rebuild the cabin. It now stands in Green Valley Park, next to the Rim Country Museum.
The cabin's main room contains a replica of his writing chair, a small cot, table, bear rug, Grey's saddle, and assorted cowboy boots and hats.
Learn more click here.
SHOOFLY INDIAN RUINS
Learn more click here
Day 3 is almost come to end. We recommend you stay in either Payson or if you want a more rustic feel maybe a VRBO or Cabin in the Pine Strawberry Area. For Hotels, Motels and VRBO's in the Payson area -
click here
.
DAY 4 - PINE & STRAWBERRY, ARIZONA
TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK
believed to be the largest natural travertine formation in the world. Over the course of eons, geological forces have carved out the bridge, which towers 183 feet over the water coursing below it in Pine Creek.
PINE-STRAWBERRY ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
The museum relocated to its current location in 1990 from a single room in the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Public Library in Pine. This larger facility allows the display of more artifacts and documents; especially those that pertain to the Native American cultures that occupied our area, the first Spanish and Anglo pioneers to visit and settle the area, and the peoples who have remained in the community since the initial settlement.
The museum houses prehistoric artifacts found in the land area of Pine and Strawberry Valleys and near plateaus, as well as artifacts actually brought and used by the earliest settlers to the communities.
Learn more click here.
STRAWBERRY SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM - OLDEST SCHOOLHOUSE IN ARIZONA.
Learn more click here
Day 4 is in the books and you best get some rest because tomorrow we head to the "OLD WEST" or Young, Arizona. We recommend you stay in either Payson, Pine or Kohl's Ranch for the night. For Hotels, Motels and VRBO's in the area -
click here
.
DAY 5 - YOUNG, ARIZONA
WELCOME TO YOUNG, ARIZONA

First settlers arrived in the early 1870s. This was the scene of the Pleasant Valley War that was created by the bitter Graham-Tewksbury feud that lasted for over 15 years. It is considered by many to be the bloodiest family feud in American History. Over the next few years, it’s estimated that between twenty and fifty men died with their boots on. Of the fighting members of the Grahams and Tewksbury’s by 1892, there was only one left standing on each side, Tom Graham and Ed Tewksbury. Learn More Click Here.

The Town of Pleasant Valley was renamed in 1890 to Young, Arizona. In honor of Olla Beth Young – First valley postmaster. Not much has changed in young since those bloody days. It is still a small “one-horse” (actually there are quite a few horses come to think of it) town, but visitors to this area can really step back in time and see remnants of the “OLD WEST.” WE encourage you to visit the Pleasant Valley Historical Museum and the Old Cemetery that lies nearby. Ask the museum patron about some of the old names and then take a self-guided tour of the cemetery. It will almost come to life right in front of your eyes. Learn more about the community click here.
Day 4 is in the books and you best get some rest because tomorrow we head to the "OLD WEST" or Young, Arizona. We recommend you stay in either Payson, Pine or Kohl's Ranch for the night. For Hotels, Motels and VRBO's in the area - click here .
Adventure Highlights:
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Native American Cliff Dwellings
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Museums
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Pioneer Points of Interest
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Cowboy History
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Native American History
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Mining History
Discover Gila County's Rich History
Gila County is full of historic locations that are fun for the whole family to explore. Places like the Old School House Museum in Pine or the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum – In Historic Miami, AZ or how about the Haunted Gila County Jail in Globe Arizona or the Roosevelt Lake Dam visitor center or the Zane Grey Cabin Museum in Payson and lastly the a visit to Young, Arizona and the Pleasant Valley Museum will introduce you to the bloodiest family feud in American History.

ITINERARY & MAP
QUICK FACTS
DURATION
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1 Day
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2 Day
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3 Day
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4 Day
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5 Day
DESTINATIONS
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Young, AZ
DATES & PRICES
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See details for each individual destination.
ADVENTURE TYPE
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Walking
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Ups and downs
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Rock Climbing
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Trails
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Remote Wilderness
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Possible weather (Could be hot or cold)
MINIMUM AGE
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5 and older
