About Safford-Morenci Trail
The Safford-Morenci Trail is an 18-mile historic backcountry route that offers a rugged and remote adventure through eastern Arizona. Climbing from 3,700 to 6,200 feet, the trail crosses the Gila Mountains and Turtle Mountain, showcasing desert vistas and riparian corridors.Constructed in 1874, the trail was once a vital supply route for ranchers and farmers transporting goods to the booming Clifton-Morenci mining district. Its use declined in the early 1900s with the development of automobile roads, leaving behind remnants of the original pack trail and historic ruins that hikers can still discover today.The trail has a mixed-use designation with non-motorized and motorized sections, although its more popular for hiking and backpacking. The majority of the trail is designated for non-motorized use and hikers should maintain caution on motorized sections for vehicle traffic. Highlights along the trail are the riparian habitat at Bonita Creek, the red-walled slot canyon at Midnight Canyon, and the views atop the pass near Turtle Mountain. In 2025, trail maintenance was performed from the west trailhead towards Johnny Creek Road and from East Bonita Rim Road to the reservation boundary. This is a moderate to difficult backcountry trail requiring strong navigation skills. Always pack extra water, check weather conditions before your trip, and practice wildlife safety. Carry detailed topographic maps, a compass, and a GPS device, as signage is minimal and route finding can be challenging.Portions of the trail cross mixed land ownership, so permits are required: an Arizona State Trust Land permit for a short section and a San Carlos Apache Tribal permit for the segment on tribal land. See ‘Fees’ section below for details.If visitors are looking for a much longer hike, the Grand Enchantment Trail (GET) follows the Safford-Morenci Trail for part of its route. The GET runs 730 miles between Phoenix and Albuquerque. Its route was mapped by a long-distance hiker but is not re
How to Get There
The West Trailhead near Bear Springs is about 12 miles northeast of Safford via the Solomon Pass and Salt Trap Roads. To reach the trailhead, take 8th Avenue north out of Safford. A half mile after crossing the Gila River bridge, take the right fork onto Airport Road. Drive 4.3 miles to Aviation Way. Turn left onto Aviation Way, then another immediate left onto the paved unsigned road. This is Solomon Pass Road, which you follow for 8.0 miles to the Solomon Pass - Salt Trap Road Junction. Take the left fork onto Salt Trap Road and follow 1.8 miles. Turn left and continue about 4 miles west to the West Trailhead. If you reach a storage tank with corrals on Salt Trap Road, you've missed the turn. A 4WD high-clearance vehicle is needed for portions of the last 4 miles. To reach the East Trailhead (6 air miles west of Morenci), take the Lower Eagle Creek/Black River Road off of Highway 191, just north of Morenci. The turnoff is about a quarter mile past a historic hillside cemetery on your right. Take the left into what appears to be a dirt parking area; the road begins there. The Eagle Creek Road begins there. You will need to ford Eagle Creek just below the water pipeline at the ranch house, continue on for about another 4 miles. The trailhead is signed. Although the Lower Eagle Creek/Black River Road is a maintained gravel road, the river crossing may require a high-clearance vehicle during high water events. Parking pull outs are available at either end of the trail at signed
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Safford-Morenci Trail
Heading to Safford-Morenci Trail? 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Safford-Morenci Trail?
No central reservation system listed for Safford-Morenci Trail. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/4109) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Safford-Morenci Trail?
The West Trailhead near Bear Springs is about 12 miles northeast of Safford via the Solomon Pass and Salt Trap Roads. To reach the trailhead, take 8th Avenue north out of Safford. A half mile after crossing the Gila River bridge, take the right fork onto Airport Road. Drive 4.3 miles to Aviation Way. Turn left onto Aviation Way, then another immediate left onto the paved unsigned road. This is Sol…
How do I contact Safford-Morenci Trail?
You can reach the park at phone: 928-348-4400 or email: BLM_AZ_SFOWEB@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
