Is Owl Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Owl Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Owl Creek Campground?

Owl Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Owl Creek Campground have?

Owl Creek Campground has 7 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Owl Creek Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Owl Creek Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Owl Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Owl Creek Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Climbing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Owl Creek Campground

4.13

10 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,438 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,438 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Owl Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(928) 348-4400blm_az_sfoweb@blm.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Owl Creek Campground

32.9660, -109.3070

Nearby places

Clifton, AZ — 7 miles north

Driving directionsOwl Creek Campground is located 7 miles south of Clifton, Arizona, at the east end of the Black Hills Back Country Byway, about 4 miles from the turn off from HWY 191. The campground sits at the edge of a plateau overlooking the historic Old Safford Bridge and the Gila River. The byway is a winding, unpaved gravel road maintained by nearby counties; it can be navigated with a two-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle but the BLM does not recommend traversing the entire byway with a vehicle and/or trailer length that exceeds 40 feet due to narrow hairpin turns.

Weather at Owl Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Owl Creek Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best balance of mild daytime temperatures (typically 65–85°F) and cool, comfortable nights (40s–50s), making plateau-edge hikes and river boating much more pleasant than the hot summer months. Cottonwoods and other riparian vegetation often turn gold in October–November, creating prime wildlife- and bird-viewing conditions while water levels on the Gila River are commonly suitable for short boat trips. Crowd levels are generally low to moderate, so you get the scenic river ribbon Peak months: October, November, March, April Avoid: July, August

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Described as 'best' season: 65–85°F days, gold cottonwoods and good water conditions in Oct–Nov.

Planning Tips

About Owl Creek Campground

Owl Creek Campground sits in the Arizona foothills near Clifton, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This very small site offers level spots with fire pits and covered picnic tables, plus access to the Gila River downhill for wading and wildlife viewing. Visitors come for the scenic overlooks, hiking, and climbing in a quiet, natural setting.

Seven campsites with three pull-through and four pull-in sites; described as suitable for trailers and RVs.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best balance of mild daytime temperatures (typically 65–85°F) and cool, comfortable nights (40s–50s), making plateau-edge hikes and river boating much more pleasant than the hot summer months. Cottonwoods and other riparian vegetation often turn gold in October–November, creating prime wildlife- and bird-viewing conditions while water levels on the Gila River are commonly suitable for short boat trips. Crowd levels are generally low to moderate, so you get the scenic river ribbon Peak months: October, November, March, April Avoid: July, August

Elevation3438 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground overlooks the Gila River corridor from its plateau perch, with the water and boat launch a quarter-mile downhill. Reviewers describe scenic views, clean water for wading, and surrounding desert vegetation. The riparian zone attracts wildlife year-round. Sites sit above the river rather than along the bank, positioned to avoid flash flood risk.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site SizeSeven campsites: three pull-through sites and four pull-in sites, suitable for trailers and RVs.

Total Campsites7 campsites

Recommended SitesExpect a short (about 0.25 mile) walk to the Gila River Boat Put-In; three pull-through and four pull-in sites accommodate a range of trailer/RV configurations. Use a two-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle on the byway when possible and avoid attempting the full byway route with vehicle/trailer combinations longer than 40 feet.

Best CampsitesOne reviewer fit a 26-foot trailer by backing in carefully, suggesting the pull-through sites handle larger rigs with attention. The campground layout is fairly tight. As of recent reports, the lower area has shifted to day-use only, with camping moved further up the road and tent sites near the pit toilet.

Amenities available

Seven campsites with picnic tables, grills, ramadas, trash receptacles, and restroom facilities. There is no potable water available at the campground.

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities focus on river access, short hikes, scenic viewing of the riparian area and Guthrie Peak, and access to the nearby Gila River boat put-in.

Hiking

Climbing

Wildlife viewing

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

10 reviews

Satisfactory

Owl Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Most reviewers are very positive about Owl Creek Campground, praising its scenery, value, and basic amenities, with many giving 5/5 ratings. Campers appreciate the quiet, often-deserted feel and say they would return, though one review notes poor maintenance and tall grass at one point in time, and a more recent review notes that part of the area has been changed to day-use only with camping moved further up the road.

Review Summaries

Based on 10 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the beautiful views and natural setting, with mentions of “beautiful nature,” scenic overlooks, and a nice river area downhill for sitting and wading in clean, clear water. They...

Based on 10 reviews

Common Concerns

The main recurring concern is maintenance at certain times: one reviewer describes grass being too high and worries about increased chances of snakes and safety, while another mentions the campground...

Based on 10 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #7 is specifically mentioned as “very nice” and, in one case, had a brand new, unused grill. Another camper notes that a 26 ft trailer can fit into the campground by backing in carefully,...

Based on 10 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect a bumpy dirt road and a fairly tight campground if you’re bringing a larger RV or trailer; backing in carefully allowed one camper to fit a 26 ft trailer. Don’t expect riverfront sites—the...

Based on 10 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Awesome campground. Dirt road a little bumpy but we made it in a motorhome. Beautiful views.” “NOT on the river, the river is downhill, but this is safe from flash floods.” “Bathrooms and garbage....

Based on 10 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want an affordable, quiet base for hiking and climbing with river access and don't need developed amenities.

Skip if

You need hookups, potable water, or a campground with more than a handful of sites.

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Riverview Campground

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area

Riverview Campground sits along the Gila River in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Arizona's foothills near Safford. Spacious, private sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables serve tent and RV campers who come for riverside access, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Fall brings comfortable temperatures and muted cottonwood color along the water, though wind can pick up and staffing may be limited during peak weekends.