Black Hills Back Country Byway

About Black Hills Back Country Byway

Embark on a 21-mile journey through the rugged heart of the Old West along the Black Hills Back Country Byway. As you travel, imagine the grit and spirit of the pioneers who once carved their way through this untamed land. They lived close to nature, faced formidable challenges, and helped shape the legacy of the American frontier.Today, you can follow in their footsteps. This is a Type II byway, designed for high-clearance vehicles. The road is unpaved, made mostly of native soil with stretches of gravel surfacing. While it’s rugged, it’s navigable with a two-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle — no extreme gear required.Primitive side roads offer exciting terrain for off-highway vehicles and experienced mountain bikers. History buffs will uncover remnants of old mining operations and 1930s erosion control projects by the Civilian Conservation Corps.Rockhounds can head to the nearby Black Hills Rockhound Area to hunt for fire agates, while unique rock formations along the route invite exploration and photography. Whether you're hiking trails, wandering cross-country, or simply pausing roadside, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area and encounters with the region’s abundant wildlife.Camping and picnicking are permitted on public lands along the road, with several developed sites available. Midway on the byway, the Canyon Overlook Picnic Area provides shaded ramadas and barbecue grills with a scenic vista of the Gila River canyon. Closer to the east end of the byway is the Owl Creek Campground with seven units perched on a cliff overlooking the historic Old Safford Bridge. The south end of the bridge is a popular launch site for those floating the Gila River and for fishing for catfish. The north end of the bridge has a small picnic area.Mule deer, javelina, and quail are just some of the species that can be hunted on public lands along the byway.Hours and SeasonsThe byway is open all year.Features and ServicesAcces

How to Get There

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is located between Safford and Clifton in southeastern Arizona, about three hours northeast of Tucson or 3 1/2 hours east of Phoenix. Both ends of the byway are accessed from U.S. Highway 191. The southern end is at milepost 139, the northern end at milepost 160.Vehicles over 20 feet in length, including travel trailers and motorhomes, should not attempt this byway. Convenient parking areas are available near kiosks at both ends of the byway for larger vehicles. Drive with care and stay alert — always expect another vehicle around the next bend. And remember, mountain driving etiquette gives uphill traffic the right of way. Side routes off the main byway offer rugged exploration, but they’re single-lane, unmaintained roads that require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. These paths can be steep, rocky, and rough, with washes that may obscure the road entirely. Navigation can be tricky, so be prepared and travel smart.Check with the Safford Field Office for up-to-date road conditions.

Plan Your Visit to Black Hills Back Country Byway

Heading to Black Hills Back Country Byway? 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)