Top 17 Natural Monuments in Gila County

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.

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.

As the trail follows the East Verde River, you can see some beautiful gorges and cascades. The trail gets less defined at this point, but if you want to continue, there is a path that follows the Ellison River to a larger cascade and swimming hole. Just remember to be careful and watch out for slippery rocks!

From this point on the trail you have the best view of the four peaks that give the Four Peaks Wilderness its name. There are a few, but not too many places to rest as the trail is pretty narrow.

There are a couple spots along this section of the Arizona Trail from which you can see the Four Peaks, which is what the Wilderness Area is named after. There are a lot of backcountry campsites on this section of the Arizona Trail, but it's also a pretty remote section so you likely won't see that many people.

This is a very popular State Park and hiking location with viewpoints of the Tonto Natural Bridge and trails surrounding the area. Try to get there early in the morning on weekends as it is quite popular, especially in the warmer months. There is a $7 entrance fee for adults (14+) and the park is typically open from 9-5 daily.

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.

The Tonto National Monument is part of the so-called Salado culture. The oldest period of these peoples who lived in villages leaning against the rock walls. It begins in fact from the second century after Jesus Christ. It is a superb archaeological site that offers a breathtaking view of Lake Theodore Roosevelt located below. To reach the site, you have to go through the visitor center and the museum. The path is steep. You will also see a lot of Saguaro Cactus on site, which are emblematic of the State of Arizona.