Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permits
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Safford Field Office manages Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness to protect its essential wilderness character and fragile environment while providing each visitor with a world class opportunity for primitive and unconfined recreation. With towering cliffs, flowing water, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness remains as one of Arizona's truly unique areas. Its 19,410 acres of designated Wilderness beckons adventurers who yearn for solitude and scenic splendor. Aravaipa Creek flows year-round, an unusual phenomenon in the Arizona desert. Nurtured by this abundant water, large sycamore, ash, cottonwood and willow trees flourish along the stream, flanked by other riparian vegetation. In the fall, a kaleidoscope of brilliant red and golden leaves contrasts dramatically with the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape. Located in southeast Arizona, roughly between Tucson and Phoenix, the Wilderness and surrounding public and private land conserve a vital ecosystem for future generations.
Expect the wild! There are no designated trails, campsites, signs or facilities within the Wilderness area boundaries. The land is rugged and hikers should be in good condition to pass through dense riparian vegetation (a sign of a healthy ecosystem). All visitors should wear sturdy footwear suitable for hiking in sand, gravel, and cobble with the guarantee of numerous stream crossings in up to knee-deep water. Your feet will get wet! From the West trailhead (2,630 feet), expect a continuous 430 feet elevation gain over uneven terrain for 12.25 miles to the East trailhead (3,060 feet). There are multiple side canyons, caves, outcrops, chimneys and "windows" to explore along the way. Strong or destination hikers can traverse from end to end in 8 to 10 hours, while nature watchers, photographers and those wanting to explore side canyons may take one or two nights.
Permits are available for advanced reservation 13 weeks (equal to 91 days) ahead of the entry date at 10am ET daily. For example, if you wanted to book a permit for October 17th, the permit would become available July 18th at 10am ET. Depending on availability and season, permits are reservable up to the same day. Multi-day reservations may book up to 2 days beyond the reservation window (The first open day plus 1-2 additional days). Permits become available both online and at the Recreation.gov call center at the same time. Call center: 1-877-444-6777
Permit & Season Information
The permit allows visitors to enter the permitted area in Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, by foot or on stock, from the trailhead listed on the permit, on the dates specified by the permit.
Permits are required year-round and reservations may be made up to 13-weeks in advance of the start date. The permit is also required for accessing the wilderness from The Nature Conservancy’s Aravaipa Canyon Preserve on the east and west boundaries. No hunting, camping, or parking is allowed on private land.
Permit holders should list an alternate trip leader at time of purchase. If the primary permit holder cannot make the trip on the permit date, the permit can only be used by the alternate permit holder listed on the application. If a primary or alternate permit holder is not present, the permit is invalid.
Need to Know
Printing Your Reserved Permit:
You must print and bring your permit with you. You may print your permit as early as 14 days before your reservation date. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes to the permit.
Things you should know before acquiring a permit:
- Permits are available for advanced reservation 13 weeks ahead of the entry date at 8 a.m. MT/10 a.m. ET daily. Permits become available both online and at the Recreation.gov call center at the same time (Call center: 1-877-444-6777).
- The maximum length of stay is three days (two nights).
- Permits are issued for the number of days you stay in Aravaipa Canyon (not the number of nights). To day hike, select a single day. A single day permit is valid for one day. To backpack, select multiple days, up to three days and two nights.
- Visitors can only have one active permit per day and must have at least 1 day between reservations after reserving the maximum allowed 3-day permit. Two 3-day permits or two 2-day permits cannot be booked back to back.
- Use of public land for commercial or competitive uses requires a separate special recreation permit. Commercialy filming or photography may also require an additional permit. Non-commercial, organized group activity or event use (ex. hiking club, school groups, birding club) may or may not require a special recreation permit. Please contact the Safford Field Office at (928) 348-4400 to inquire about special recreation permit requirements.
- East side permits must enter from the East Trailhead (closer to Safford). West side permits must enter from the West Trailhead (closer to Tucson and Phoenix). Permit holders may change trailhead location dependent on permit availability.
- Maximum party size is 10 people, no exceptions. Permits cannot be combined to make larger groups. All groups must travel and camp independently (at least 1/4 mile apart).
- Pets are not allowed.
- Fishing is prohibited.
- Visitors must Leave No Trace
- Access to each wilderness boundary is across private land owned by The Nature Conservancy and others. Please respect private property. No camping, parking, or hunting is allowed on The Nature Conservancy's preserve.
- Equestrians may have five stock animals per party. Stock cannot remain overnight in the canyon bottom. Feed brought into the wilderness must be certified weed-free. Four-wheel drive is recommended for towing up steep grades to the trailheads.
- Hunters need a permit. The flood plain of Aravaipa Creek and the first 50 vertical feet above the streambed are closed to the discharge of firearms for hunting and target shooting, but are open to bow and arrow hunting in season.
- Wilderness is closed to motor vehicles, mechanical transport, and motorized equipment. Drones may not launch from, be controlled from, nor land within wilderness areas. There are no designated trails or campsites and no signage to preserve wilderness character.
Parking:
- Parking is limited. Bring a maximum of two cars per permit. Visitors to the East Trailhead can park at Bear Canyon (the East Trailhead) or at the wilderness boundary at Turkey Creek (not recommended during monsoon or winter seasons). No parking is allowed on the private land before and between these canyons. Visitors to the West Trailhead may park at the trailhead or at Brandenburg Ranger Station. Leave space for others. On the west side, park extra cars at the ranger station and carpool the final 3 miles to the trailhead. Permit numbers must be displayed on the dashboard of each vehicle.
FLASH FLOODS ARE COMMON at Aravaipa Canyon. Here are five tips for surviving a flood in the wilderness:
1. Check the forecast and check the current flow data. A flow rate of over 100 CFS is generally too fast and deep (knee deep) for easy wading. A spike in the CFS level may indicate that the creek water will be muddy (difficult to filter) and that travel might be challenging due to mud and high water.
2. Choose a campsite WAY UP HIGH, away from the creek, and have a contingency plan in case your camp floods. Every camping spot in Aravaipa will flood under the right conditions. Refrain from camping at the base of cliffs or canyon walls to avoid rockfall.
3. Filter clean water before it rains and before nightfall. Once the creek floods, it can be difficult/impossible to filter water from the muddy waves. Pack extra food along just in case you get stranded for a day or two.
4. Look for high ground in case you need to get out of the water quickly. Stay on high ground if the creek floods and wait until the flood waters subside before hiking out. It can take anywhere from 8-12 hours or even longer for flood waters to subside. Floods carry huge trees, rocks, and other debris that can knock people over. Storms upstream or in one of the many side canyons may cause the creek to flood, without raining downstream.
5. Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for emergency assistance. Cell phones do not generally work in the wilderness.
Fee Policy
Recreation Fee: $5 per person/per day
Reservation Fee: There is a non-refundable $6.00 reservation fee for every permit transaction.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
In the event of an emergency closure, we will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using your Recreation.gov customer profile.
- Permits can only be cancelled before being printed out.
- 5 days or more in advance: Full refund minus non-refundable transaction fee of $6.00
- 4 days or less from permit date: No refunds regardless of weather or any unforeseen circumstances.
- There is no fee for cancellations and no refund for no shows.
Change Policy:
- Group Size: Refunds for a decrease in group size are available if changes are made at least two weeks in advance of the entry date. Adding to group size is dependent on permit availability. Changes to trip date and entry locations are not allowed.
- Dates: If permit holders would like to change the entry date of their trip, the permit must be cancelled and a new reservation date (if available) may be purchased.
- Permit holders are encouraged to list an alternate trip leader at the time of purchase.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
711 S. 14th Avenue Suite 100 Safford AZ 85546
Phone Number
928-348-4400
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