Gila County: Hiking, Landscapes and Culture

Hiking trails, landscapes, museums and archaeological sites offer different reasons to plan a trip. The time required also varies: the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail takes an average of one hour, while a tour of the Upper Cliff Dwelling takes three to four hours. These differences can shape your daily itinerary and choice of starting point.

Trails, Water and Landscapes

Gila County has access points to the Arizona Trail. The trail passes through the Superstition Wilderness, offers views of Roosevelt Lake and continues to the Mogollon Rim. Section 26 of the Arizona Trail is listed as 17 miles on the Highline National Recreation Trail; the route then climbs steeply to the Mogollon Rim. When planning this section, consider both the stated distance and the climb that follows.

The Pinal Mountains can be reached via a 12-mile scenic, well-graded gravel road that leads to the 7,800-foot summit. As road conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the latest conditions before driving. At Roosevelt Lake, the Schoolhouse Campground provides access to the water via a paved boat ramp; here, too, facility conditions can change. Check the latest conditions if you plan to use this access point.

The Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Area has shoreline vegetation along some sections of the shore; the higher surrounding areas are home to Sonoran desert scrub. The Salt River Canyon is one of the attractions in Gila County shaped by natural forces. Together, these examples showcase different landscape themes: a trail through wilderness, access to the lake and a canyon landscape shaped by natural forces.

Cultural Sites and Museums

Tonto National Monument preserves some of the best-preserved prehistoric Salado cliff dwellings in the national park system; they are interpreted for the public and open to visitors. The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail is a one-mile, or 1.6-kilometer, round trip and takes an average of one hour. Trail conditions and operating hours can change; check them before your visit.

Seasonal tours of the Upper Cliff Dwelling last three to four hours and take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Space is limited, reservations are required and times can change. This visit is therefore quite different from a self-guided museum visit: the tour duration, time slot and reservation determine how it unfolds.

The Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum in Miami is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by appointment. The Native American Cultural Exhibit includes artifacts from the Hohokam, Salado and Apache cultures. If you plan to visit the museum, take its opening hours into account and confirm them before setting out.

The Gila County Museum is located in Globe's 1920 Mine Rescue Station. Also in Globe is the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum, home to one of the largest and most complex Salado pueblo settlements. Tours at the Rim Country Museum are self-guided. The museum also features the Zane Grey Cabin, a faithful replica made from local ponderosa pines. These different formats—a museum, an archaeological site and a cabin replica—each give historical visits their own focus.

Make Your Hotel Search Part of Your Travel Itinerary

When choosing a hotel, it is worth starting with a specific daily itinerary: a 17-mile route with a steep climb takes a different amount of time than the one-hour round trip; a multi-hour tour with a set time slot is another planning consideration. Check current conditions for seasonal tours and opening hours before your visit.

Explore more destinations: Payson, Miami, Globe, Tonto Basin, Young, La Paz County, Coconino, Santa Cruz.

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