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REGIONAL ATTRACTIONS
The breathtaking landscape of Gila County has been in the works for decades. Natural forces carved attractions like the Salt River Canyon and the Tonto Natural Bridge while Native American cultures built civilizations like Besh-Ba-Gowah and Tonto National Monument. Experience all Gila Couty has to offer by viewing the regional attractions below!
Before You Explore, Be Prepared!
MOGOLLON RIM
Stretching 200 miles, the Mogollon Rim provides breathtaking views overlooking an expansive forest of pine trees. Experience fresh air more than 8,000 feet above sea level.
ROOSEVELT LAKE
Roosevelt Lake is the largest lake in Arizona at 15, 560 surface acres. It is a favorite of avid anglers searching for the trophy largemouth bass along with smallmouth bass, channel catfish and crappie.
PINAL MOUNTAINS
A dramatic southern skyline bordering the nearby city of Globe, the Pinal Mountains offer four-season recreation luring summer and winter hikers, birders, mountain bikers – and fall foliage photographers.
Arizona Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches over 800 miles from the U.S. border from Mexico to Utah, connecting deserts, mountains, communities, and people.
Besh-Ba-Gowah
Here visitors will see the partially restored ancient ruin of the Salado people who occupied the site between A.D. 1225 and A.D. 1400.
Black River
The Black River is a 114-mile-long (183 km) river that forms southwest of Alpine in Arizona's White Mountains
Granite Dells
The Dells themselves are part of a high ridge directly west of the pocket. They alone are worth the short drive to the area.
Hells Gate Wilderness
Lying at the base of the Mogollon Rim, upper Tonto Creek has incised a 1,000-foot-deep canyon that runs entirely through the center of this Wilderness.
Homestead Rock
The Homestead features limestone sport climbing in a remote, serene, desert setting. There are presently over 250 single pitch routes ranging in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.13b.
Native American Ruins
Ancient Indian Ruins are found throughout Arizona but some of the greatest concentrations of prehistoric cliff dwellings, ancient villages, and pueblos are in Gila County, Arizona.
Peridot Mesa
February through early April you will find expansive blankets of Mexican gold poppies dotted by the lupin, desert-chicory, and blue dick across rolling hillsides.
San Carlos Lake
With 158 miles of shoreline, San Carlos Lake is one of the largest lakes in Arizona when it’s full – averaging 19,500 acre-feet of water in a good season!
Seneca Falls
Seneca Falls affords views of a beautiful waterfall and basalt canyon walls. It is a great place to take the kids for a swim in the summer.
Stewart Pocket
Located in the Granite Dells of Payson, AZ, the Stewart Pocket area may very well rival Sedona for it scenic beauty.
Tonto Creek
Tonto Creek is a year round stream with a considerable water flow that has formed a deep, remote and often narrow canyon below the Mogollon Rim
Tonto National Monument
The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society.
Tonto Natural Bridge
It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.
Woods Canyon Lake
Woods Canyon Lake Recreation area is in the middle of an outdoorsman’s paradise with biking trails, hiking trails, offroad trails, fishing, camping and hunting.
Devils Chasm Ruin
Perhaps the single most impressive ruin in the Sierra Anchas, and one of the least accessible. Visitors will find the trail hard and difficult to get there, but the pay off is truly a WILD experience.
Goat Camp Ruin
Goat Camp Ruin is located in Payson and was occupied from about 750 to 1280 AD. The site was originally a Hohokam colony that continued to be occupied through the Classic Period.
Gisela Ruin
These ruins are a hilltop fortification near the town of Gisela, Arizona. The ruins are composed of a main circle surrounded by many individual rooms. Left behind by the ancient Salado's.
Kinishba Ruin
Is a large pueblo ruin containing nine masonry buildings constructed between 1250 and 1350 A.D. by the pre-Columbian Mogollon culture. Located on the White Mountain Apache Lands.
Pueblo Canyon Ruins
It has been suggested that this may have been the remnants of an older or hybrid community that managed to cling to its traditions after the larger area was occupied by the Salado.
Shoofly Indian Ruins
These ruins are located just outside of Payson, Arizona. It was occupied between 1000 and 1200 AD. It contains over 80 rooms, and housed as many as 250 people.
Tonto Natural Bridge Hiking Trails
These trails are amazing and beautiful. The staff reminds us to please pack out what you pack in.
Interpretive Centers
From remote picturesque back roads to stories about outlaws and their hideouts, Gila County is the central gateway to some of the more entertaining interpretive centers in Arizona
Natural Landmarks
The Tonto National Forest has a rich heritage reaching thousands of years into the past. Experience it for yourself!
