Riverview Campground

4.38

25 reviews

Quick Facts

3,199 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

13 campsites

Season

No specific open/clo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

3,199 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

13 campsites

Season

No specific open/clo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Riverview Campground

$5.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The recreation use fee for Riverview Campground is $5 per night for two vehicles. Additional vehicles are charged $2 each per night. Discounts of 50%...

Standard Site Fee$5.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(928)348-4400SFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov

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What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 25 reviews

18 Google reviews

Most mentioned

spaciouswell-maintainedsites

"The campground is generally well-reviewed, with an average sentiment of 4.75 out of 5 and campers appreciating its spaciousness, natural beauty, and accessibility to the Gila River."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Riverview Campground

32.8875, -109.4800

Driving directionsFrom Safford, travel five miles east on AZ 70 to Soloman, then turn left onto Sanchez Road. Follow Sanchez Road to the end of the pavement and follow the signs to the campground. The last mile to the campground is a gravel road. It is rocky in sections and the hill leading down into the campground is the roughest spot. The turn off from Sanchez Road is Bonita Creek Road, which is narrow, winding, and has steep grades. Visitors should exercise caution, as there are numerous curves and blind corners. Within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, passenger cars can access major points, but some roads require a four-wheel-drive vehicle due to infrequent maintenance. Check with Safford Field Office for up-to-date road conditions.

The campground is accessible via passenger car, but the last mile is a gravel road with rocky sections and steep, narrow grades. Most of the road is paved, but requires caution due to single-lane areas and blind corners.

Nearby places

Safford, Arizona (approximately 5 miles)

Nearby supplies

Necessary supplies, including groceries, fuel, and camping items, can be found in Safford, Arizona, about 5 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Riverview Campground

Experience the desert's magical temperature dance at Riverview, where warm, sun-kissed days give way to refreshingly cool evenings under star-studded skies. During the popular mid-September camping season, you'll bask in comfortable daytime temperatures perfect for exploration, while nights bring a gentle coolness that requires nothing more than a light blanket for cozy comfort. The region's signature dry climate creates ideal conditions for outdoor adventures, punctuated by occasional desert breezes that whisper through the riverside cottonwoods and carry the scents of sage and mesquite across your campsite.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Hot daytime temps noted (mid-Sept), but cool nights and good stargazing; heat can limit days.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Mid-September visits cited as comfortable evenings and popular camping season.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Riparian area should be vibrant in spring; hiking and wildlife viewing expected to be excellent.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

No closures noted; desert winters likely mild and suitable for camping but specifics lacking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: No peak season dates are mentioned.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: No specific open/closed seasons are mentioned.

About Riverview Campground

Escape to Riverview Campground, where the gentle murmur of the Gila River creates nature's perfect soundtrack for your desert adventure. Tucked within the pristine Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, this intimate 13-site campground offers an authentic Southwest camping experience that balances rustic charm with essential comforts. Each thoughtfully designed campsite comes complete with a picnic table, fire ring, grill, and welcoming shade structure—your personal oasis in the high desert. Whether you choose one of the ten convenient pull-in sites or three spacious pull-through sites perfect for larger RVs and trailers, you'll find yourself immersed in one of Arizona's most remarkable riparian ecosystems. Fresh drinking water and facilities ensure comfort, while the campground's strategic location makes it an ideal launching point for river kayaking expeditions, wildlife watching, and hunting adventures in the surrounding conservation lands.

Riverview Campground offers 13 first-come, first-served campsites suitable for tent, trailer, and RV camping. It caters to a variety of campers, including those requiring accessible features.

Historical SignificanceRiverview Campground sits within the extraordinary Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, a landscape that tells the story of nature's resilience and adaptation in the American Southwest. While the area may not boast ancient ruins or historic buildings, it preserves something equally precious—one of the desert's most vibrant and ecologically significant riparian corridors, where the persistent flow of the Gila River has created a living museum of biodiversity that has sustained life in this arid region for millennia.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the desert's magical temperature dance at Riverview, where warm, sun-kissed days give way to refreshingly cool evenings under star-studded skies. During the popular mid-September camping season, you'll bask in comfortable daytime temperatures perfect for exploration, while nights bring a gentle coolness that requires nothing more than a light blanket for cozy comfort. The region's signature dry climate creates ideal conditions for outdoor adventures, punctuated by occasional desert breezes that whisper through the riverside cottonwoods and carry the scents of sage and mesquite across your campsite.

ElevationThe campground's specific elevation creates the perfect balance of accessibility and scenic beauty, contributing to the area's unique microclimate where desert meets river in a spectacular display of ecological diversity.

Natural Features and SceneryPerched on a scenic northern bench with commanding views of the Gila River below, Riverview Campground immerses you in one of the Southwest's most enchanting riparian wonderlands. Here, verdant ribbons of cottonwoods and willows create cooling galleries along the water's edge, while the air fills with the melodious calls of countless bird species—from brilliant vermillion flycatchers to majestic great blue herons. The surrounding landscape showcases nature's artistry, where emerald vegetation contrasts dramatically with golden canyon walls, and every sunrise and sunset paints the sky in breathtaking desert hues. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting javelinas, deer, and perhaps even a glimpse of the elusive creatures that make their home in this precious desert oasis.

Geological RegionSet within the remarkable Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Riverview Campground offers front-row seats to one of nature's most impressive geological theaters. From your elevated position on the northern bench, you'll witness where ancient forces carved dramatic canyons and the persistent Gila River continues its patient work of sculpting the landscape. This rare riparian ecosystem thrives in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, creating an ecological treasure trove where water-loving cottonwoods share space with hardy desert plants, and the diversity of birdlife rivals that of any nature preserve. The unique geology has created perfect conditions for an astounding variety of wildlife, making every day at Riverview a new opportunity for discovery in this living laboratory of desert adaptation.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Unknown

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unknown

Groups

Group camping sites are not mentioned in the source materials.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground features 13 campsites, with ten pull-in sites and three pull-through sites designed to accommodate both tents and RVs.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not allowed.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground is entirely first-come, first-served, with a total of 13 campsites available.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as reservations are not accepted. Campsites are first-come, first-served.

AccessibilitySite 1 is designated as accessible, with features such as a wheelchair-accessible table, a taller fire ring, and level grading on an aggregate surface.

Site SizeThe sites have been recently enlarged to better accommodate trailers and RVs.

PrivacyThe campsites are described as spacious and private. User reviews highlight this: 'Very large and private campsites' (Jim Reed) and 'Beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained' (Dee Arm).

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesVisitors seeking accessibility should consider Site 1 for its ABA/ADA-compliant features.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Riverview Campground offers a range of outdoor activities in the surrounding Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and opportunities for river-based recreation like kayaking.

HikingThe campground is surrounded by day-use sites and trails along the Gila River. Visitors note great trails. 'Beautiful riparian area. Great trails and places to play in the river' (Bev Mueller).

BoatingThe campground serves as a launch point for boating activities on the Gila River. Jim Reed notes it is a 'great launch point for first-time river kayaking.'

Wildlife viewingThe Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area supports rich riparian habitats, offering excellent opportunities for observing birds and other wildlife. 'The area contains significant riparian areas with many birds and other wildlife as well as unique vegetation.'

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe road leading to the campground has narrow, winding sections with blind corners and steep grades. Windy conditions have been mentioned by users, posing challenges for campers with portable equipment.

Fire PolicyFire rings and grills are provided at each site, suggesting fires are permitted within designated areas.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly mentioned.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are located in Safford, Arizona, approximately 5 miles away, including hospitals and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not mentioned in the source materials.

Water FeaturesLocated near the Gila River, making it an ideal spot for activities such as kayaking and river exploration.

Camp HostUser reviews praise host Walter for excellent maintenance of the campground. However, there have been instances where the host was absent during busy periods, leading to some disruptions.

Weather at Riverview Campground

Reviews

4.4

25 reviews

Recommended

Riverview Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is generally well-reviewed, with an average sentiment of 4.75 out of 5 and campers appreciating its spaciousness, natural beauty, and accessibility to the Gila River.

Review Summaries

Based on 25 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors commonly praise the campground for its spacious and private campsites, its proximity to the Gila River, and its well-maintained facilities. Comments include: 'Very large and private...

Based on 25 reviews

Common Concerns

Some reviews mention challenges with access roads, including steep grades and blind curves on Bonita Creek Road. For example, Bev Mueller notes, 'The road in is mostly paved with steep and blind...

Based on 25 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest preparing for hot weather during the day in summer months, although nights tend to cool down. Jim Reed states, 'Still pretty hot in mid-September, nights cool down, needing a thin...

Based on 25 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Hot daytime temperatures are noted in mid-September, while nights cool considerably, making it more comfortable for camping.

Based on 25 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Very large and private campsites.' (Jim Reed) 2. 'Beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained campground and at the bargain rate of $5 a night.' (Dee Arm) 3. 'Great launch point for first-time river...

Based on 25 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 1 is highlighted for its accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible table and level grading.

Based on 25 reviews

Accessibility Features

Positive feedback highlights Site 1's accessibility features, including a taller fire ring, a wheelchair-accessible table, and an aggregate surface with level grading for ease of use.

Based on 25 reviews