Bureau of Land Management
The Black Hills Back Country Byway is a 21-mile graded-dirt route through southeastern Arizona between Safford and Clifton, accessing the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, historic mining sites, and Civilian Conservation Corps erosion-control structures from the 1930s. The byway follows the Gila River through what BLM calls "the rugged heart of the Old West," passing fire-agate rockhounding areas, the Owl Creek Campground, and overlooks of the Gila Box's deep canyon.
The route is unpaved native soil rated as Type II — designed for high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. Vehicles longer than 20 feet are prohibited because of the road's tight curves. Side spurs to the Gila Box and the Black Hills Rockhound Area need 4WD.
Trailhead: 32.84200, -109.42300
- Technical Difficulty
- easy
- Length
- 21 miles
- Direction
- Point to point
- Vehicle
- High-clearance vehicle. Two-wheel drive accepted on the main route in dry conditions; 4WD needed for the side spurs. Vehicles over 20 feet (RVs, trailers) prohibited.
- Nearest town
- Safford, Arizona
- Terrain
- Native soil with gravel sections through southeastern Arizona's Old West mining country, rolling hills, and the Gila River canyon
- Cell coverage
- Spotty
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
- Management
- Bureau of Land Management
- Trailhead
- 32.84200, -109.42300
Resources
Directions
Southern entrance. From Safford, drive northeast on US-191 to milepost 139. The byway turns east off US-191.
Northern entrance. From Clifton, drive south on US-191 to milepost 160. The byway turns west off US-191.
Approximate northern entrance coordinates: 32.842° N, -109.423° W.
Photos · 3
Getting Oriented
The byway sits in Graham County in southeastern Arizona, between the towns of Safford and Clifton on US Highway 191. Tucson is roughly 3 hours southwest; Phoenix is 3.5 hours west. Safford, the closest service town, has a population around 10,000 and serves as the regional supply hub. The Gila River cuts the byway diagonally; the Gila Box Riparian NCA preserves the cottonwood-willow corridor.
Trail Overview
The byway runs from US-191 milepost 139 in the south to milepost 160 in the north, parallel to but lower than the highway. Most of the surface is graded native soil with gravel sections; passenger cars handle it in dry conditions but the road washes out after summer monsoons. The route passes the Owl Creek Campground (7 sites overlooking the Old Safford Bridge), the Canyon Overlook Picnic Area, and several historic mining structures.
Driving the byway without stops takes about an hour. Most visitors spend half a day with stops at the Gila Box overlook, a fire-agate hunt at the Black Hills Rockhound Area, and a picnic at the canyon overlook.
Points of Interest
- Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. A 23,000-acre cottonwood-willow corridor along the Gila River. Visible from the byway's overlooks.
- Owl Creek Campground. 7 fee sites overlooking the Old Safford Bridge.
- Canyon Overlook Picnic Area. Ramadas and views of the Gila Box.
- Black Hills Rockhound Area. Public collection area for fire agate. Open to hand collection without permits.
- Old Safford Bridge. Historic 1918 bridge over the Gila River.
- CCC erosion control structures. Stone check dams built in the 1930s, still functioning.
- Historic mining sites. Late-1800s copper and silver workings visible from the road.
Where to Camp
Owl Creek Campground has 7 fee sites with vault toilets, picnic tables, and ramadas. Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land within a 25-mile radius with a 14-day stay limit per 28-day period. Safford has commercial RV parks and lodging.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Visit fall or spring. Summer temperatures top 105°F; winter brings occasional cold snaps.
- Watch for monsoon-storm washouts in July and August.
- Vehicles over 20 feet are prohibited. The road's curves are too tight for RVs and trailers.
- Carry water; the byway has no potable water.
- Cell service is spotty. Carry an offline map.
- Watch for wildlife: mule deer, javelina, quail.
- Stay on designated routes; off-road driving damages cryptobiotic soil and disturbs wildlife.
- Hunting is allowed in season. Wear visible colors during hunting periods.
- Contact the BLM Safford Field Office at 928-348-4400 for current conditions.
Hazards
- Heat. Summer temperatures top 105°F.
- Monsoon flooding. July-August storms wash out the road and fill the Gila Box quickly.
- Vehicle restrictions. No vehicles over 20 feet. Tight curves are unforgiving.
- Mining hazards. Historic open shafts and unstable workings in the area. Stay on the road.
- Cell coverage. Spotty.
- Hunting season. Wear visible colors in fall.