Classic overnight paddle of AZ Gila Box National Riparian Conservation Area.
Access:
AZ Gila Box NRCA
The entire trip through the Gila Box is 22 miles from the Old Safford Bridge located on the Backcountry Byway off 191 near Clifton, AZ to the Dry Canyon take-out located in the Gila Box RNCA outside of Safford, AZ. It’s best done as an overnight adventure, or longer if you want to do some hiking and exploring.
There are three gages which you can check before launching on this section of the Gila. The first is at the put-in, which is ‘Gila River near Clifton.’ This is the one shown in the beta box and will give you a good idea as to overall flows. It's also the one I’m mentioning for gauging the river level. The second is the ‘San Francisco at Clifton.’ This is generally about the same level. If it’s way higher—beware as it could be flooding! The two rivers meet around Mile 6, which is nice at lower levels as you will note the doubling of the flow. The final one is ‘Gila River at the Head of Safford Valley,’ which is near the end of the trip. Shouldn’t be much different than the sum of the other two. You can also look further up the Gila River in New Mexico to see what might be on the way.
As far as levels, smaller watercraft should be able to make it down at anything from 60 cfs (cubic feet per second) and up. As far as how high you can run the river, that would be up to personal experience and skill in the craft you choose to paddle. At over 200 cfs the rivers is navigable in small rafts though the first six miles can be tricky. At 2,000 cfs and higher the river starts to speed up significantly and it can be difficult to discern which channels to take through the trees. Eddies are sparse and the take-out parking lot begins to be overrun by the river. There aren’t any major hazards as permanent fixtures on the river—though downed trees, etc. should always be looked out for. Sweepers are common and become difficult to avoid at higher flows.
As far as camping, you are allowed to camp wherever you please along the river other than from mile 1.5 to mile 3 (which is private property) or near any of the day use areas from mile 19 to the take-out. Camp well above the waterline and make sure to secure your boats properly as the river can rise very quickly and without warning. Make sure you check the forecast before putting on. Always practice the principles of Leave no Trace—pack out everything, minimize campfire impact, etc.
While there are currently no regulations requiring groups to carry toilets or fire pans, responsible boaters will pack out human waste (either wag bags for smaller groups or a toilet for larger groups) and carry a fire pan unless you are not planning to have fires. Finally, make sure you fill out a permit and pay before you depart and carry the stub with you ($3 per person for the trip, fee envelopes may be found at the put-in). No prior reservation is required.
Parking is available at both ends of the Gila Box. Major flooding in August of 2022 significantly altered the take-out and wiped out the put-in. The BLM was able to redo the put-in and created extra parking spaces just before you get to the day use area. Please utilize this pull out for overnight parking and do not leave vehicles near the restroom or day use picnic area. If there is no parking before the day use, please leave vehicles in the main parking lot of Owl Creek Campground. There is a short walking path from here back to the bridge.
If you are leaving a vehicle overnight at the take-out please park in the day use area just before Dry Canyon. This area is the first area on the right you will see when descending the big hill. It has a small ‘Parking Area’ sign and two picnic tables. Please park with consideration of other users. This space is only a two minute walk from the take-out.
\*A note about fences. In previous years smooth wire fences crossed the river at Mile 1.5 and Mile 3 at the private property boundaries. Warnings about the fences are still in place in some areas, though the fences are not currently an issue. Some of the trip reports here mention putting in higher than the put-in. If you choose to do this, know that you will likely run into fences that span the river, specifically right before the bridge. This fence is in place to keep cattle out of the RNCA. There is a gate on the west side of the river and you will need to portage your party around this fence. Cutting or destroying the fence compromises the conservation area.