Owl Creek Campground

Star0
5 reviews
Owl Creek Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Get Directions
Owl Creek Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleanwater

"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."

Read all reviews



About Owl Creek Campground

Perched on a plateau's edge within the stunning Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Owl Creek Campground offers seven thoughtfully spaced sites where desert meets river. Each site comes equipped with picnic tables, grills, ramadas for shade, and restroom facilities, though you'll need to bring your own water for this remote adventure just a quarter-mile from the Gila River boat launch.
Seven campsites with three pull-through and four pull-in sites; described as suitable for trailers and RVs.
Historical SignificanceYour campsite becomes a front-row seat to history at Owl Creek, where the weathered spans of the Old Safford Bridge tell stories of early Arizona crossings below. As a featured stop along the scenic Black Hills Back Country Byway, this location connects you to the rugged heritage of those who traversed these borderlands, where the bridge once served as a vital link across the Gila River's powerful currents.
ElevationThe campground claims a dramatic perch along the plateau's rim, where the land drops away to reveal the silver ribbon of the Gila River winding through the canyon below and the historic Old Safford Bridge spanning its waters.
Natural Features and SceneryWake up to sweeping views of the lush Gila River corridor, a ribbon of green life cutting through the desert landscape of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. From your plateau vantage point, watch the morning light paint Guthrie Peak in shades of gold and amber while the historic Old Safford Bridge arches gracefully across the river below. The riparian corridor attracts an impressive array of wildlife, from soaring raptors to river otters, creating a dynamic natural theater visible from your campsite's elevated position.
Geological RegionGila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, positioned along the dramatic edge of a basalt plateau that rises above the Gila River's ancient channel
Advertisement

Campsite details

Sites SizeSeven campsites: three pull-through sites and four pull-in sites, suitable for trailers and RVs.
Total Campsites7 campsites
Recommended CampsitesExpect 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 Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSeven sites total: three pull-through sites and four pull-in sites. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, ramadas, trash receptacles, and restrooms.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

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
A trail starts near the kiosk providing a path down to the Old Safford Bridge Picnic Area or the Gila River Boat Put-In.
Boating
Campground is about a quarter mile from the Gila River Boat Put-In, providing access to boating on the Gila River.
Wildlife viewing
Provides scenic views of the riparian area and Guthrie Peak; located within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
Water Sports
River boating access via the nearby Gila River Boat Put-In.
Advertisement

Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsAccess via a winding, unpaved gravel byway with narrow hairpin turns that can be difficult to navigate for longer vehicles or trailers; no potable water available at the site.

Weather at Owl Creek Campground

51
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 28%
Wind: 5 mph
Clear sky

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

Good to know

Trash and recyclingTrash receptacles available on site.
Proximity to water featuresAbout a quarter mile from the Gila River Boat Put-In; overlooks the Gila River and riparian area.

Campground Map

Owl Creek Campground
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.
About 4 miles from the turn off from HWY 191 via the Black Hills Back Country Byway; the byway is unpaved gravel and navigable with a two-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle.
Nearby places
Clifton, AZ — 7 miles north

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0
5 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Owl Creek Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % 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 5 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...
Show more
Based on 5 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...
Show more
Based on 5 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...
Show more
Based on 5 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....
Show more
Based on 5 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,...
Show more
Based on 5 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Magnifying Glass
No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

Last updated December 10, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Arizona

Campgrounds
Owl Creek Campground