Attractions and Places To See in Gila County - Top 20

It is remote, outside Payson, AZ but a great hike with some climbing and a fun spot to see where the railroad tunnel was started.

The gravel road into Salt River Canyon in the White Mountain Apache Tribal Reservation is a breathtakingly beautiful valley in an otherwise starkly dry and hostile rugged mountain desert. Summer can be extremely hot, fall is comfortable. On AZ-77 / US-60 about 38.2 miles north-east of Globe, after a bridge over the Salt river, immediately make a left turn, there usually are tribal reservation information signs. You can follow the usually well-maintained gravel road about 4.25 miles to where Cibecue Creek flows across the road. If there has not been rain recently upstream, you can push or carry the bike across Cibecue Creek to continue mountain biking further along Salt River on the gravel road/trail, or go canyoneering up into the Cibecue Creek canyon, see https://www.komoot.com/highlight/151959 (Danger: Flash Floods, do not enter if it might have rained in the mountains). A White Mountain Apache Tribal permit is needed to bike or do other recreation here (rafting seems popular). There is a self-registration booth at the turnoff from Hwy 60, but no self-registration envelopes nor staff were available, so better buy permits online before reaching this out-of-phone-signal area: https://wmatoutdoor.org/purchase_permit.html - It asks to create a username/password. Click on Special Use Permit, Black River/Salt River: $30 per person for the Cibecue Falls; $9 for vehicle recreation as of 2025.

Salt River Canyon in the White Mountain Apache Tribal Reservation is a breathtakingly beautiful valley in an otherwise starkly dry and hostile rugged mountain desert. Summer can be extremely hot, fall is comfortable. On AZ-77 / US-60 about 38.2 miles north-east of Globe, after a bridge over the Salt river, immediately make a left turn, there usually are tribal reservation information signs. You can follow the usually well-maintained gravel road about 4.25 miles to where Cibecue Creek flows across the road. From the parking area it is normally possible to walk or carry the bike across Cibecue creek, if there has not been rain recently upstream. You can go rafting on the Salt river, continue to mountain bike further along Salt River on the gravel road/trail on the other side of the creek, or go canyoneering in the Cibecue Creek, see https://www.komoot.com/highlight/151959 (Danger: Flash Floods, do not enter if it might have rained in the mountains). A White Mountain Apache Tribal permit is needed to hike or do other recreation here (rafting seems popular). There is a self-registration booth at the turnoff from Hwy 60, but no self-registration envelopes nor staff were available, so better buy permits online before reaching this out-of-phone-signal area: https://wmatoutdoor.org/purchase_permit.html - It asks to create a username/password. Click on Special Use Permit, Black River/Salt River, $30 per person for the Cibecue Falls; $9 for vehicle recreation.

Roosevelt Lake Marina is a full-service marina on the south side of Roosevelt Lake. Theodore Roosevelt Lake is 21,500 acres of water in size and encompasses 128 miles of sandy shoreline and crystal-clear water. Here, you can grab a burger and enjoy a refreshing waterfront break.

Mount Ord rises up to 7,128 feet and is one of the most accessible peaks in the area since there are a couple different service roads that take you to the summit. There is not much traffic on these roads, and you'll likely see more runners, hikers, and cyclists than vehicles. There is a lookout tower at the top, but it is closed to the public. That being said, the upper miles of the forest roads and the summit offer great views without having to climb the tower.

Fossil Springs boasts beautiful blue-green pools, making it a popular spot for swimming and family hiking. It's important to keep in mind that you may need a reservation to hike here during certain times of the year.

At this trailhead you can access both the Arizona Trail and the Highline Trail. The two trails split at this point, the AZT going up to the Mogollon Rim, the Highline Trail continuing west. The East Verde River is a reliable source of water, and camping opportunities are available right along the river. A trail register is located a little further east.

The Mogollon Rim forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It extends approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers), starting in northern Yavapai County and running eastward, ending near the border with New Mexico. Once you climb up to the Mogollon Rim (the climb is really steep and rocky once again), the Arizona Trail becomes very flat and you can really scrub miles.