TREASURE PARK - EAST

About TREASURE PARK - EAST

Overview Treasure Park East sits along the scenic Swift Trail in the deserts of southern Arizona. The picturesque mountain meadow setting offers visitors an escape from the desert heat and opportunities for viewing wildlife and wildflowers, as well as group camping, hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. The location boasts an interesting history. Legend has it that a treasure of stolen gold and silver was buried here by a band of outlaws in the 1850s. They reportedly marked the site with a triangle formed by three colored granite stones, though no buried treasure was ever found. Recreation The campground lies along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive, which takes visitors from the Sonoran Desert at 2,900 feet to alpine meadows and forest on the 9,000+ foot ridges of the Pinaleño Range. Because of its diverse habitat, the area is well-known for birding and wildlife watching. The Swift Trail provides access to a number of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails, along with several other campgrounds that invite you for an afternoon picnic. A trip up to Rigg’s Lake, stocked with trout by Arizona Game & Fish, or to the Columbine Visitors Center could make a worth-while day trip as well. Facilities Treasure Park East can accommodate a single group of up to 100 guests at a time. The site is equipped with picnic tables, a group campfire ring with grill, a parking area and a drinking water spigot nearby, with water available seasonally. Dead-and-downed firewood may be collected in and around the campsite. Note: There are no toilets on site. One portable/self-contained toilet is required for every 15 people. Natural Features This site lies within the mixed conifer area of the Pinaleño Mountains at an elevation of 9,000 feet. The high elevations makes this area very pleasant in summer compared to the heat of lower deserts. The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 fee

How to Get There

From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto State Route 366/Swift Trail and travel 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the East campsite. From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 east for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 26.3 miles north and turn left on State Route 366/Swift Trail. Continue for 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the East campsite.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to TREASURE PARK - EAST

Heading to TREASURE PARK - EAST? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)