About this campground
The Gila River Boat Put-In provides access to the Gila River in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. Favorable snowpack and rain from the greater Gila River Watershed and infusions from the San Francisco River and Bonita Creek create a unique opportunity for floating, water play, and fishing along the river. Visitors also enjoy kayaking, rafting, canoeing, pack rafting, tubing, swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and hiking at the the Gila River Boat Put-In. The Safford Field Office also authorizes a limited number of special recreation permits for commercial river guides through the Gila Box RNCA. Groups typically plan for multi-day trips and disperse camp along the riverbank. Visitors end their float trips at the Dry Canyon Boat Take Out, which is 23 miles downstream and the last opportunity to exit the river. The site is also a picnic area for day use only. There is a single vault toilet, picnic table, grill, and trash receptacle. More information can be obtained on site from the information kiosk. For more information on water levels, parking, and river conditions, please contact the Safford Field Office at 928-348-4400 for more guidance on floating the Gila River.
Getting there
From Safford, head north on Highway 191 and continue past the Three Way roundabout toward Clifton, Arizona, for another 5.5 miles. Turn left off the highway at the entrance to the Black Hills Backcountry Byway. Drive another 4 miles and turn right just after crossing over the Old Safford Bridge. From Clifton, head south on Highway 191 for 3.6 miles and turn right onto the Black Hills Backcountry Byway. Drive another 4 miles until you cross over the Old Safford Bridge. The Gila River Boat Put In will be on the right.
Activities
- BOATING
- WATER ACCESS
- DAY USE AREA
- SWIMMING SITE
- FISHING
- SWIMMING
- PADDLING
- WILDLIFE VIEWING
- CANOEING
- HIKING
- PICNICKING
- BIRD WATCHING
- BIRDING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Old Safford Bridge Picnic AreaSafford0 mi
- Owl Creek CampgroundBureau of Land Management0 mi
- Clifton Ranger DistrictApache-Sitgreaves National Forest6 mi
- Black Hills Rockhound AreaBureau of Land Management8 mi
- Limestone Trailhead (#84) TrailheadApache-Sitgreaves National Forest8 mi
- Flying W Group Day Use AreaBureau of Land Management11 mi
Explore more Arizona camping
Gila River Boat Put-In doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Arizona campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Arizona camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.