Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location	Graham / Pinal counties, Arizona, USA
Nearest city	Dudleyville, Arizona
Coordinates	32°53′49″N 110°29′13″W
Area	19,700 acres (80 km2)
Established	1984
Governing body	U.S. Bureau of Land Management

Fall colors near the western end of Aravaipa Canyon

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is a 19,410 acre (78.5 km²) wilderness area located in the U.S. State of Arizona. It forms the northwest border of the Galiuro Mountain range. The wilderness is administered by the BLM and is located northeast of Mammoth, Arizona in Graham and Pinal counties, about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix. The wilderness includes the 11-mile long Aravaipa Canyon, the surrounding tablelands and nine side canyons.

The Nature Conservancy's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve protects 7,000 acres (28 km²) of private land and is contiguous with the BLM wilderness area. Pedestrian access to the preserve is allowed only with prior authorization from Preserve staff.

Access

From Phoenix, take US Highway 60 to Superior. At Superior, take State Highway 177 to Winkelman. At Winkelman, take State Highway 77 south for 11 miles to Aravaipa Road. Follow Aravaipa Road 12 miles east to the trailhead. Access to the east end of the wilderness is west of Klondyke. A high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach the east trailhead.

At both ends, travel in the canyon requires wading in Aravaipa Creek.

Topographic maps

7½ minute: Booger Canyon, Brandenburg Mountain, Holy Joe Peak, Oak Grove Canyon

Permits and fees

A permit is required to enter Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. Use is limited to 50 people per day. Permits can be obtained via the Web.

See also

• Redfield Canyon & Galiuro Wildernesses, southern Galiuro Mountains
• List of Arizona Wilderness Areas
• List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
• Native Fishes of Aravaipa Canyon

Sources and external links

• BLM Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness page
• Nature Conservancy Aravaipa Canyon Preserve
• Wilderness.net Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness page
• GORP Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness page