AZ-Gila+Box--Serna+Cabin+Bonita+Creek

Also see Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
 * =Birding in Arizona=

Graham County
=Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area= =Serna Cabin and Bonita Creek= Safford, Arizona 85546 Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area website Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area map

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Gila Box RNCA--Serna Cabin/Bonita Creek
Coordinates: 32.8940384, -109.4789529 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Serna Cabin and Bonita Creek
This small developed picnic area is located along Bonita Creek near the historic Serna Cabin within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area (RNCA). It borders a riparian area with large cottonwood, sycamore and willow trees. The Serna Cabin was constructed in the 1920s and restored by the BLM in 1991. The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area (RNCA) is about an hour from Safford. The Serna Cabin is located at the confluence of Bonita Creek and the Gila River. From Safford, travel approximately five miles east on US-70 to the town of Solomon and turn left onto Sanchez Road. Travel north for eight miles, crossing the bridge at the Gila River, to a Gila Box RNCA sign. Turn left onto that dirt road. Travel another 3.8 miles and take the right fork in the road. Travel .6 mile to another fork and turn right. At the next fork, follow the signs left to the Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area and Serna Cabin Picnic Area.

The entrance to the Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area is located just on the ridge above the cabin. The Cottonwood Trail links the picnic area with the Wildlife Viewing Area, Riverview Campground, Flying W Group Day Use Area, and Kearny Camp Monument.

About Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area
The 23,000-acre Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is truly an oasis in the desert. It has four perennial waterways - the Gila and San Francisco rivers and Bonita and Eagle creeks, which are the lifeline for this remarkable place. The Gila River canyon section, known as the Gila Box, is composed of patchy mesquite woodlands, mature cottonwoods, sandy beaches, and grand buff-colored cliffs. Bonita Creek, popular for birdwatching, hiking, and picnicking, is lined with large cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows. The perennial creek and riparian vegetation make this a cool year-round desert oasis. Cliff dwellings, historic homesteads, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and over 200 species of birds make this year-round watery desert refuge worth the short drive from Safford. The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is located 20 miles northeast of Safford in Graham and Greenlee counties. From Safford to reach the west side, travel five miles east on US-70 to Solomon, Arizona. At Solomon, turn left on the Sanchez Road and follow the road to the end of the pavement. From there, follow the signs to Bonita Creek and the lower end of the Gila Box. To reach the east side from Safford, take US-70 east 10 miles to its junction with US-191. Turn left and follow US-191 about 29 miles to milepost 160, which is four miles south of Clifton, Arizona. Turn left onto the signed Black Hills Back Country Byway, and follow the road four miles to the conservation area. From Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area website

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media type="custom" key="29252671" || L2410483 US US-AZ US-AZ-009 32.8940384 -109.4789529 Gila Box RNCA--Serna Cabin/Bonita Creek