Gila River Canyons
Gila River Canyons is Passage 16 of the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail and a must-hike section for day hikers and thru-hikers alike. The full passage is 26 miles point-to-point and connects to the famous Picketpost Passage, but you don’t have to do the entire section to enjoy it. We recommend a 6-mile day hike starting from the southern end near Kearny, Arizona. This trail takes you along the north side of the Gila River, with sweeping desert canyon views, cottonwood trees that turn golden in the fall, and a rare chance to see water flowing in this historic river.
Leave No Trace
Please remember to practice the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when visiting. This is a remote area home to abundant wildlife and open to camping. Please do not feed wild animals, be bear aware, and camp more than 200 feet from water sources.
Good to Know Before You Hike
The Gila River Canyons section of the Arizona Trail is remote and rugged, making it a true Sonoran Desert adventure. This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) but is not federally designated wilderness. Expect rocky trails, sharp desert plants, and the possibility of encountering wildlife like snakes and even mountain lions. (We spotted scat and paw prints during our hike!) Cell service is spotty at best, so download your maps in advance and hike prepared.
Getting to Gila River Canyons Trailhead
To access the southern portion of Gila River Canyons Passage 16, start near Kelvin, Arizona off the Florence–Kelvin Highway. There is a small parking lot north of the Kelvin Bridge that can hold about 12–14 cars, and this is where we recommend starting your day hike.
From Phoenix, take US 60 East toward Superior, then head south on State Route 177 toward Kelvin. Just before the bridge crossing the Gila River, turn right (north) onto Crest Trail. The trailhead parking lot will be on your left after a short drive on the dirt road. This route is easy to find using a digital map app, but we always recommend downloading offline maps just in case.
Parking Lot Coordinates: 33°06’23.5″N 110°58’44.8″W
Quick Stats: Gila River Canyons
Length:
6.3 miles recorded
Route Type:
Out and back
Elevation Gain:
1,050 ft recorded
Vaulted Toilets:
No
Dog Friendly:
Not recommended
Fee:
No
Difficulty:
Moderate
Water:
No water at trailhead
Hiking the Gila River Canyons Section of the Arizona Trail
From the parking lot, walk back toward the road you drove in on and turn left to continue further in. You’ll quickly reach a gate that blocks vehicles, with an Arizona Trail sign marking the start of the trail. Hikers can pass through the side gate and continue down the road. As you descend, you’ll see train tracks on your left. Soon you’ll reach the official start of Arizona Trail Passage 16, where there is a trail register for hikers to sign in.
The Arizona Trail
Once you are on the singletrack section of the Arizona Trail, the path narrows and winds through a small canyon with a gradual climb. When we visited, volunteers from the Arizona Trail Association were working on trail maintenance, a great reminder of the effort that goes into keeping this trail beautiful and accessible. This early section moves away from the Gila River before turning back toward it, offering wide-open desert views. The trail hugs the slope of the mountain and dips and twists like many classic Sonoran Desert trails. Take time to pause and appreciate the contrast of water carving through an otherwise arid landscape — the Gila River is a lifeline for the plants and wildlife that thrive here.
The Golden Spike
About two miles from the trail register you’ll reach the Golden Spike. This marker commemorates the final connection of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, officially completed in 2011. It is a cool piece of trail history and worth a quick photo stop.
Gila River & Train Bridge
Soon after the Golden Spike, the trail drops toward the river. In a wash near the bottom, you may notice footpaths leading off toward the train bridge — this is where we left the trail to enjoy a closer look at the Gila River. Standing by the river with the bridge in view was a peaceful way to pause before heading back. As we returned to the parking lot, we were lucky enough to watch a freight train cross the bridge — a perfect ending to the hike.
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