Campground · Arizona ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Safford Field Office (Bureau of Land Management AZ) · Open Access
Riverview Campground offers a fantastic camping experience in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area and is a short drive from Safford, Arizona. It is situated on a northern bench overlooking the Gila River and is surrounded by various day use sites along the river.
There are 13 first come, first served campsites at Riverview Campground. Each site has picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and shade structures. The campsites were recently enlarged to improve access for trailers and RVs. Ten campsites are pull-in sites, and three are pull-through sites.
There is potable drinking water and a toilet available at the campground. Flying W Group Day Use Area, a reservable group picnic area, is located next to the Riverview Campground.
The area contains significant riparian areas with a many birds and other wildlife as well as unique vegetation. Many visitors use this site as a base camp during hunting season or while floating the Gila River.
Visit recreation sites within or nearby the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area:
From 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 but doesn't require a four-wheel-drive vehicle or even high clearance.
The turn off from Sanchez Road is Bonita Creek Road. Bonita Creek Road is narrow, winding, and has sections of steep grade. Some visitors are surprised by the number of curves and blind corners along Bonita Creek Road.
Within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, visitors can usually get to major access points by passenger car, but other roads may be rough at times because of infrequent maintenance. You will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle on many roads. Check with the Safford Field Office for up-to-date road conditions.
32.88752, -109.47995 · 32°53'15.1"N 109°28'47.8"W
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, 9.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
The fee for overnight use, with two vehicles per night, is currently $5. Per additional vehicle is $2. The Senior and Access “America the Beautiful” passes provide a 50% discount on expanded amenity campsite fees. 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: In the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, camping at developed sites — and primitive camping elsewhere — is limited to 14 consecutive days in a 28-day period.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Riverview Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Riverview Campground's operator.
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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