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Black Hills Back Country Byway
This rugged, primarily unpaved road twists and turns through some of Arizona's most rural landscapes.
Guide Sections
Use Black Hills Back Country Byway's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Black Hills Back Country Byway Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
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Safford’s 21-mile byway is ripped right from the pages of an Old Western movie. It crosses the Gila River and winds through deserted cliffs and canyons that were once inhabited by Native American tribes and early settlers as if nothing has spoiled this landscape in over a hundred years. There are a few iconic sites to visit along the way, including an abandoned labor camp from the early 1900s that was used by prisoners who built the bridge. You will also see the recently restored Old Safford Bridge suspended over the river (feel free to stop here to go swimming or kayaking). The trail starts a few miles from Safford and travels east parallel to the US Route 191 Highway. Although the road is well maintained, it is advised to only drive with a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle.