Things to Do in Safford, AZ
The City of Safford is located in southeastern Arizona. It sits at the base of Mount Graham along the Gila River. Safford offers visitors an iconic experience of the Arizona desert.
Below is a list of the many activities available to visitors in this area.
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
Location
From Safford, drive towards Solomon on Highway 70. Just before reaching Solomon, turn left onto Sanchez Road. Cross the bridge and continue on Sanchez Road until it turns into Bonita Creek Road. Continue until you reach the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
Description
The Gila River meets Bonita Creek at the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
The Gila River flows east to west through the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. As the Gila River nears Safford, it meets the confluence of Bonita Creek in a deep canyon. The height of the canyon shades the foliage down below from the Arizona sun.
Due to its unique location, the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area forms a riparian zone, an oasis in an arid climate, teeming with life, movement, and natural beauty.
Activities and Amenities
The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area offers plenty of restrooms, RV/camping spaces, fire pits, parking places, and ramadas.
It is a favorite swimming spot for locals as the water is warm and the canyon offers ample shade.
History
The canyon was once home to Native American tribes who left behind cliff dwellings.
Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area
Location
From Safford, take Highway 70 eastward. Pass Solomon and San Jose. A quarter mile outside of San Jose, turn right on Haekel Road. Proceed 25 miles and arrive at the Hot Well Dunes Recreational Area.
Description
At the base of a barren mountain, sit white dunes with small patches of mesquite. A mineral hot spring powered by a solar pump lies near the park entrance.
The pool’s water springs from the area’s artesian aquifers. Calming on a summer evening. Warm during the fall, spring, and winter.
A popular place to take ATVs and RVs, The Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area allows visitors to enjoy the sunset or the moon over the dunes.
History
Prehistorically, the area held a large lake with sandy beaches. It was home to many animals whose fossils still rest in the area. In later periods, it was home to many indigenous tribes
who left behind pottery and arrowheads.
In the 1920s, excavators drilled for oil. They found an artesian aquifer situated between 1000 to 1500 feet deep.
AZ Air Ventures
Location
264 E 24th Pl, Safford, AZ 85546
Description
AZ Air Ventures offers a view of the Gila Valley from above. See the mountain, river, and countryside from a hot-air balloon. AZ Air Ventures has years of experience and great customer service. They will help you to prepare and enjoy your trip in a calm and safe manner.
Roper Lake State Park
Location
Roper Lake State Park is located 5 miles south of Safford on Highway 191. It is a great place to picnic, swim, camp and fish.
Park Entrance Fees
$10.00 per car or $3.00 per individual/bike.
Description
The lake is a popular weekend destination. During the hot summer, it provides cool water surrounded by shady trees. Grassy hills lay beside the lake, well maintained by the park service. There visitors picnic and swim. There are plenty of charcoal grills, tables, and ramadas. Public water and bathroom facilities are well-placed throughout the vicinity.
RV and Camping
RV and tent camping are permitted within the park. Three campgrounds are available. Electric services, restrooms, and hot showers are provided. The average nightly fee is $30.00 per night.
Hot Springs
Roper Lake State Park provides access to a mineral, hot-spring pool.
Fishing
Whether on a boat or near the shore, fishing is one of the park's most popular attractions. There are many species of fish to be found in the lake including: largemouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, panfish.
Trails
Walk through the park using its natural trails. Enjoy the park's desert foliage, habitat, and animal life.
Dankworth Pond State Park
Location
Dankworth Ponds is located three miles south of Roper Lake. Follow Highway 191 and turn on Dankworth Lake Road
Description
Dankworth pond is a small pond near the foothills of Mount Graham. The pond receives its water from an artesian hot spring.
History
The lake was made 50 years ago. It stocks catfish, bass, and trout.
Park Entrance Fees
$10.00 per vehicle and $3.00 per individual or bike.
Activities
The lake is a great place for small boats and kayaks. Its dock can be fished from. A replica Indian village can be found near the lake.
Picnic Area
Ramadas, picnic areas, grills, and restrooms are readily available.
Wildlife
Birds, coyotes, javelina, and fish are commonly seen in this part of the desert.
Frye Mesa Reservoir
Location
From Safford, drive towards Solomon on Highway 70. Turn left on Reay Lane. Drive a quarter mile and turn on Frye Mesa Road. Follow the road up the mountainside.
Advisory
Frye Mesa Road is rugged, so use 4WD vehicles or ATVs. Drive slow up the canyon switchbacks, and be alert to incoming traffic around the sharp bends in the road.
Monsoon and rainy seasons are dangerous as they lead to flash flooding. Check the weather. Do not hike in narrow slot canyons in heavy rain.
Description
The Frye Mesa Reservoir is a small lake formed by a dam.
The reservoir sits at the base of Mount Graham. From the mountain’s peaks, rain and spring water run downward, channeled through creeks and slot canyons, until reaching the reservoir.
Above the Reservoir, there are pools and waterfalls. Sandy creeksides with shady trees. In the Arizona summer, this is a great place to escape the heat and enjoy the weekend.
Below the waterfalls, the reservoir forms a lake. This lake can hold small fishing boats. It is regularly stocked and a favorite place to fish rainbow trout.
There are no outdoor facilities or bathrooms. You are able to enter with RVs and tents for camping.
History
The reservoir dam was built during the Rosevelt era using CCC labor. The dam served to store water for the Gila Valley.
Essence of Tranquility
Location
6074 S Lebanon Loop Road, Safford, AZ 85546
Description
The Essence of Tranquility is a business offering access to mineral hot spring pools. The property has its own artesian hot spring, whose water is diverted to several masonry pools. Private and public pools are available.
Pool Temperatures range from 98 and 105 degrees.
The Essence of Tranquility Pool Fees
$15.00 per person for 1 hours
$35.00 per person for 3 hours max
Treatments
Massages and homeopathic treatments are available here. Many of the treatments include a complementary bath in a mineral hot spring.
Safford Bowl
Location
410 E 4th St Safford, AZ 85546
Description
Safford Bowl is the only bowling alley in the area. It is a great place for families and friends to get together and enjoy one of America's favorite pastimes - bowling! If bowling is not for
you, it has a great restaurant and bar with friendly staff.
Safford City-Graham Library
Location
808 S 7th Ave, Safford, AZ 85546
The Safford City–Graham County serves as the county’s public library. It offers computer services, books, rental movies, audiobooks, and activities to the public.
Description
The library hosts activities for both children and adults. Its web page features upcoming activities.
Adults and family: cooking classes and whole-family events.
Children: storytime, playtime, group reading, painting.
Mount Graham International Observatory
Location
Located at the top of Mount Graham. Contact information for further directions is listed below.
Advisory
It is illegal to enter this area without permission. This area is policed.
Description
Mount Graham International Observatory is a division of Steward Observatory, a research branch of the Department of Astronomy at The University of Arizona, in the United States.
Contact Information for the Mount Graham Tours
Eastern Arizona College
Discovery Park Campus
1651 W. Discovery Park Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546
For the Visiting Public
Mount Graham is home to one of the world's most powerful observatories.
The Mount Graham International Observatory is open to the public for tours. Registration required. Tours available only from mid-May through October, weather permitting.
Eastern Arizona College's Discovery Park Campus is the official visitor's center for the telescopes on Mount Graham. Because permits are required to enter the endangered red squirrel refuge, reservations are required.
The tour includes a visit to three of the world's most powerful telescopes: The Submillimeter Telescope, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, and the Large Binocular Telescope. Also, it includes a scenic tour of Mount Graham highlighting the mountain's history, habitat, and geology.
Thatcher Splash Pad
Location
3883 W Ballpark, Thatcher, AZ 85552
Hours
Monday - Saturday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday: closed
Description
The Thatcher Splash Pad is a great place to take the kids during the summer. It features a number of playground structures that shoot and sprinkle water.
Splash pads have no standing water, which reduces the risk of drowning. Additionally, splash pads do not require a lifeguard as water features activate with a push of a button.
Around the splash pad are the ramadas, grills, playgrounds, and restrooms, and parks
Below is a list of the many activities available to visitors in this area.
Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
Location
From Safford, drive towards Solomon on Highway 70. Just before reaching Solomon, turn left onto Sanchez Road. Cross the bridge and continue on Sanchez Road until it turns into Bonita Creek Road. Continue until you reach the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
Description
The Gila River meets Bonita Creek at the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
The Gila River flows east to west through the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. As the Gila River nears Safford, it meets the confluence of Bonita Creek in a deep canyon. The height of the canyon shades the foliage down below from the Arizona sun.
Due to its unique location, the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area forms a riparian zone, an oasis in an arid climate, teeming with life, movement, and natural beauty.
Activities and Amenities
The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area offers plenty of restrooms, RV/camping spaces, fire pits, parking places, and ramadas.
It is a favorite swimming spot for locals as the water is warm and the canyon offers ample shade.
History
The canyon was once home to Native American tribes who left behind cliff dwellings.
Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area
Location
From Safford, take Highway 70 eastward. Pass Solomon and San Jose. A quarter mile outside of San Jose, turn right on Haekel Road. Proceed 25 miles and arrive at the Hot Well Dunes Recreational Area.
Description
At the base of a barren mountain, sit white dunes with small patches of mesquite. A mineral hot spring powered by a solar pump lies near the park entrance.
The pool’s water springs from the area’s artesian aquifers. Calming on a summer evening. Warm during the fall, spring, and winter.
A popular place to take ATVs and RVs, The Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area allows visitors to enjoy the sunset or the moon over the dunes.
History
Prehistorically, the area held a large lake with sandy beaches. It was home to many animals whose fossils still rest in the area. In later periods, it was home to many indigenous tribes
who left behind pottery and arrowheads.
In the 1920s, excavators drilled for oil. They found an artesian aquifer situated between 1000 to 1500 feet deep.
AZ Air Ventures
Location
264 E 24th Pl, Safford, AZ 85546
Description
AZ Air Ventures offers a view of the Gila Valley from above. See the mountain, river, and countryside from a hot-air balloon. AZ Air Ventures has years of experience and great customer service. They will help you to prepare and enjoy your trip in a calm and safe manner.
Roper Lake State Park
Location
Roper Lake State Park is located 5 miles south of Safford on Highway 191. It is a great place to picnic, swim, camp and fish.
Park Entrance Fees
$10.00 per car or $3.00 per individual/bike.
Description
The lake is a popular weekend destination. During the hot summer, it provides cool water surrounded by shady trees. Grassy hills lay beside the lake, well maintained by the park service. There visitors picnic and swim. There are plenty of charcoal grills, tables, and ramadas. Public water and bathroom facilities are well-placed throughout the vicinity.
RV and Camping
RV and tent camping are permitted within the park. Three campgrounds are available. Electric services, restrooms, and hot showers are provided. The average nightly fee is $30.00 per night.
Hot Springs
Roper Lake State Park provides access to a mineral, hot-spring pool.
Fishing
Whether on a boat or near the shore, fishing is one of the park's most popular attractions. There are many species of fish to be found in the lake including: largemouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, panfish.
Trails
Walk through the park using its natural trails. Enjoy the park's desert foliage, habitat, and animal life.
Dankworth Pond State Park
Location
Dankworth Ponds is located three miles south of Roper Lake. Follow Highway 191 and turn on Dankworth Lake Road
Description
Dankworth pond is a small pond near the foothills of Mount Graham. The pond receives its water from an artesian hot spring.
History
The lake was made 50 years ago. It stocks catfish, bass, and trout.
Park Entrance Fees
$10.00 per vehicle and $3.00 per individual or bike.
Activities
The lake is a great place for small boats and kayaks. Its dock can be fished from. A replica Indian village can be found near the lake.
Picnic Area
Ramadas, picnic areas, grills, and restrooms are readily available.
Wildlife
Birds, coyotes, javelina, and fish are commonly seen in this part of the desert.
Frye Mesa Reservoir
Location
From Safford, drive towards Solomon on Highway 70. Turn left on Reay Lane. Drive a quarter mile and turn on Frye Mesa Road. Follow the road up the mountainside.
Advisory
Frye Mesa Road is rugged, so use 4WD vehicles or ATVs. Drive slow up the canyon switchbacks, and be alert to incoming traffic around the sharp bends in the road.
Monsoon and rainy seasons are dangerous as they lead to flash flooding. Check the weather. Do not hike in narrow slot canyons in heavy rain.
Description
The Frye Mesa Reservoir is a small lake formed by a dam.
The reservoir sits at the base of Mount Graham. From the mountain’s peaks, rain and spring water run downward, channeled through creeks and slot canyons, until reaching the reservoir.
Above the Reservoir, there are pools and waterfalls. Sandy creeksides with shady trees. In the Arizona summer, this is a great place to escape the heat and enjoy the weekend.
Below the waterfalls, the reservoir forms a lake. This lake can hold small fishing boats. It is regularly stocked and a favorite place to fish rainbow trout.
There are no outdoor facilities or bathrooms. You are able to enter with RVs and tents for camping.
History
The reservoir dam was built during the Rosevelt era using CCC labor. The dam served to store water for the Gila Valley.
Essence of Tranquility
Location
6074 S Lebanon Loop Road, Safford, AZ 85546
Description
The Essence of Tranquility is a business offering access to mineral hot spring pools. The property has its own artesian hot spring, whose water is diverted to several masonry pools. Private and public pools are available.
Pool Temperatures range from 98 and 105 degrees.
The Essence of Tranquility Pool Fees
$15.00 per person for 1 hours
$35.00 per person for 3 hours max
Treatments
Massages and homeopathic treatments are available here. Many of the treatments include a complementary bath in a mineral hot spring.
Safford Bowl
Location
410 E 4th St Safford, AZ 85546
Description
Safford Bowl is the only bowling alley in the area. It is a great place for families and friends to get together and enjoy one of America's favorite pastimes - bowling! If bowling is not for
you, it has a great restaurant and bar with friendly staff.
Safford City-Graham Library
Location
808 S 7th Ave, Safford, AZ 85546
The Safford City–Graham County serves as the county’s public library. It offers computer services, books, rental movies, audiobooks, and activities to the public.
Description
The library hosts activities for both children and adults. Its web page features upcoming activities.
Adults and family: cooking classes and whole-family events.
Children: storytime, playtime, group reading, painting.
Mount Graham International Observatory
Location
Located at the top of Mount Graham. Contact information for further directions is listed below.
Advisory
It is illegal to enter this area without permission. This area is policed.
Description
Mount Graham International Observatory is a division of Steward Observatory, a research branch of the Department of Astronomy at The University of Arizona, in the United States.
Contact Information for the Mount Graham Tours
Eastern Arizona College
Discovery Park Campus
1651 W. Discovery Park Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546
For the Visiting Public
Mount Graham is home to one of the world's most powerful observatories.
The Mount Graham International Observatory is open to the public for tours. Registration required. Tours available only from mid-May through October, weather permitting.
Eastern Arizona College's Discovery Park Campus is the official visitor's center for the telescopes on Mount Graham. Because permits are required to enter the endangered red squirrel refuge, reservations are required.
The tour includes a visit to three of the world's most powerful telescopes: The Submillimeter Telescope, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, and the Large Binocular Telescope. Also, it includes a scenic tour of Mount Graham highlighting the mountain's history, habitat, and geology.
Thatcher Splash Pad
Location
3883 W Ballpark, Thatcher, AZ 85552
Hours
Monday - Saturday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday: closed
Description
The Thatcher Splash Pad is a great place to take the kids during the summer. It features a number of playground structures that shoot and sprinkle water.
Splash pads have no standing water, which reduces the risk of drowning. Additionally, splash pads do not require a lifeguard as water features activate with a push of a button.
Around the splash pad are the ramadas, grills, playgrounds, and restrooms, and parks
