Black Hills Back Country Byway

About this place

The Black Hills Back Country Byway runs 21 miles through hard, open country that was the Old West.

Pioneers cut their way through here. They lived close to the land, faced down what it threw at them, and left their mark on the American frontier.

You can follow the same ground today.

This is a Type II byway, built with high-clearance vehicles in mind. The road is unpaved, mostly native soil with stretches of gravel on top.

It is rough, but a two-wheel drive with high clearance will get down it. You do not need anything extreme.

The primitive side roads are another matter, and they suit off-highway vehicles and experienced mountain bikers.

There is history in the ground here. You can find what is left of old mining operations, and erosion control work the Civilian Conservation Corps did in the 1930s.

Rockhounds head for the Black Hills Rockhound Area nearby, to hunt fire agates. The rock formations along the route are unusual enough to be worth stopping for.

Walk a trail, wander cross-country or just pull over at the roadside. Either way you get sweeping views over the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. There is a lot of wildlife about.

You may camp and picnic on public land along the road, and there are several developed sites.

Halfway along, the Canyon Overlook Picnic Area has shaded ramadas and barbecue grills, looking out over the Gila River canyon.

Near the east end is Owl Creek Campground, seven units perched on a cliff above the historic Old Safford Bridge.

The south end of that bridge is a popular launch for floating the Gila, and for catfish.

The north end has a small picnic area.

Mule deer, javelina and quail are among the animals you may hunt on public land along the byway.

It is open all year.

Some sections have narrow drop-offs and steep passages along the cliff, so take care. It is worse in wet weather.

Vehicles over 20 feet should not attempt this route, and that includes travel trailers and motorhomes.

There is parking near the kiosks at both ends of the byway for the bigger vehicles.

Drive as though there is another vehicle around the next bend. On a mountain road, traffic going uphill has the right of way.

The side routes are single lane and unmaintained, and you need four-wheel drive. They are steep and rocky, and a wash can hide the road altogether.

Navigation gets tricky out there. Go prepared.

There is no drinking water along the byway.

The only public toilets on the route are at the Gila River Boat Put In, near the northern end. Owl Creek Campground has a restroom, but that is for people paying to use the site.

Cell phone and internet reception is spotty, and it is worst in the mountainous sections.

You look after yourself out here. Call 911 for law enforcement, for emergency services or to report a fire. Nobody here can give you first aid.

Before you go, check the weather and the road conditions, and get hold of maps and route descriptions for this area.

Carry plenty of water and enough fuel. Take a spare tire and a jack, plus tools, a shovel and a blanket.

Watch for cattle on the road and beside it.

The facts

Cost

Free to camp

Roads around it

Unpaved. A high clearance two-wheel drive will do it

Stay limit

14-day limit

Drinking water

No, bring your own

Toilet

Yes, at the Gila River boat put-in near the north end

Phone signal

Spotty, and worst in the mountain sections

Type

Open area. Camp anywhere within it

When it’s open

All year

Managed by

Bureau of Land Management

Rules and restrictions

• Service animals may go anywhere a visitor can go. Every other pet stays under your physical control at all times.
• The signs along the byway are not there for target practice.

How long you can stay

You can camp and picnic on the public land along this road, and there are several developed sites as well.

You get 14 days in any 28. After that you have to move at least 25 miles before you camp again.

Getting there

The Black Hills Back Country Byway runs between Safford and Clifton, in southeastern Arizona. That is about three hours northeast of Tucson, or 3 1/2 hours east of Phoenix. Both ends leave U.S. Highway 191: the southern end at milepost 139, the northern end at milepost 160.

Vehicles over 20 feet long should not attempt it, travel trailers and motorhomes included. There is parking near the kiosks at both ends for larger vehicles.

Drive carefully and expect another vehicle round every bend. On mountain roads, traffic coming uphill has right of way.

The side routes off the byway are single-lane and unmaintained, and they need four-wheel drive. They can be steep, rocky and rough, and washes can hide the road altogether. Ask the Safford Field Office how they are before you set off.

Coordinates 32.841624, -109.422658

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What is near here

A few more of our own spots are within reach of this one, along with some better-known places.

• Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area 25 miles by road · conservation area · free camping here too Directions
• Mount Graham 50 miles by road · mountain Directions
• Fishhooks Wilderness 59 miles by road · wilderness · free camping here too Directions
• Apache Pass 75 miles by road · mountain Directions
• Steins Peak 76 miles by road · mountain Directions

Every distance on this page is the driving distance. A short distance can still take a long time. The road may be closed for the season, covered in snow, or washed out. Many of these roads are dirt. Plan your route before you leave home. Out here there is often no phone signal to look it up on the way.

Nearest town and supplies

• San Jose, AZ nearest settlement · 12 miles by road · about 470 people Directions
• Clifton, AZ big enough to expect fuel and a shop · 25 miles by road · about 3,800 people Directions

Clifton is big enough that you’d normally expect fuel and somewhere to buy food. Nobody from here has been to check, so don’t count on it if you’re running low.