Can you reserve a site at Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area?

No. Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area

Facility · Arizona ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Safford Field Office (Bureau of Land Management AZ) · Open Access

3,169 ft
Elevation

Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area — Photo: BLM · Recreation.gov

This day use area is located along Bonita Creek within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area with picnic tables and grills.

Visit recreation sites within or nearby the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area:

Riverview Campground
Owl Creek Campground
Dry Canyon Picnic Area
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. Travel another 3.8 miles and take the left fork onto the West Bonita Rim Road. Follow the signs to the Lee Trail Picnic Area.

A high-clearance, four-wheel drive is recommended for the steep hill during the last part of the drive.

32.88074, -109.51000 · 32°52'50.7"N 109°30'36.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

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, 7.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area

Can you reserve a site at Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area?: No. Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permits 12.9 mi · Permit · we watch it
Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Spring Canyon Picnic Area 1.3 mi · Facility
Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area 1.3 mi · Facility
Riverview Campground 1.8 mi · Campground
Flying W Group Day Use Area 1.8 mi · Facility
Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site 2 mi · Facility
Black Hills Rockhound Area 6.7 mi · Facility
Gila River Boat Put-In 13 mi · Facility
Old Safford Bridge Picnic Area 13 mi · Facility
Owl Creek Campground 13.2 mi · Campground
Granville Campground 22.3 mi · Campground

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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.