Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area
Facility · Arizona ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Safford Field Office (Bureau of Land Management AZ) · Open Access
- 3,336 ft
- Elevation
The Dry Canyon Picnic Area and Boat Take Out are located within close proximity of each other. The Take Out is used by those floating the Gila River within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area (RNCA). An overnight parking area for river floaters and the picnic area, which is located within mesquite woodlands, are located just west of the Take Out.
Visit recreation sites within or nearby to the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area:
- Riverview Campground
- Owl Creek Campground
- Spring Canyon Picnic Area
- Lee Trail Picnic Area
- Serna Cabin Picnic Area & Historical Site
- Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area
- Safford-Morenci Trail
- Flying W Group Day Use Area
- Canyon Overlook Picnic Area
- Gila River Boat Put-In
- Old Safford Bridge Picnic Area
Getting there
From Safford, travel approximately five miles east on U.S. Highway 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 and travel 2.7 miles to the Dry Lake Boat Picnic Area and Take Out.
32.89220, -109.49210 · 32°53'31.9"N 109°29'31.6"W
Typical weather
Typically 101°F in Jun, down to 60°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 61 | 66 | 73 | 82 | 91 | 101 | 100 | 98 | 93 | 83 | 70 | 60 |
| Low °F | 34 | 37 | 42 | 48 | 56 | 66 | 72 | 71 | 65 | 52 | 41 | 34 |
| Precip in | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
A large color brochure with a map of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is available for free from the Safford Field Office.
Stay limit: Camping is prohibited in riparian areas or designated picnic sites in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Member photos
Common questions about Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area
- Can you reserve a site at Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area?
- No. Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
- How long can you stay at Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area?
- Camping is prohibited in riparian areas or designated picnic sites in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.
Camping near Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area
- Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permits 14.1 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Spring Canyon Picnic Area less than 0.1 mi · Facility
- Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site 0.8 mi · Facility
- Riverview Campground 0.8 mi · Campground
- Flying W Group Day Use Area 0.8 mi · Facility
- Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area 1.3 mi · Facility
- Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area 1.3 mi · Facility
- Black Hills Rockhound Area 5.8 mi · Facility
- Gila River Boat Put-In 11.7 mi · Facility
- Old Safford Bridge Picnic Area 11.7 mi · Facility
- Owl Creek Campground 11.9 mi · Campground
- Granville Campground 21.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (928) 348-4400
- Email blm_az_sfoweb@blm.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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