Can you reserve a site at Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site?

No. Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site

Facility · Arizona ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

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

3,142 ft
Elevation

This small, developed picnic area is located along Bonita Creek near the historic Serna Cabin within the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. It borders a riparian area with large cottonwood, sycamore and willow trees. The Serna Cabin was constructed in the 1920s and restored by the Bureau of Land Management in 1991.

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
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 right fork in the road. Travel 0.6 mile to another fork and turn right. At the next fork, follow the signs left to the Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area and Serna Cabin Picnic Area.

Check with the Safford Field Office for up-to-date road conditions.

32.89404, -109.47895 · 32°53'38.5"N 109°28'44.2"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, 9.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Stay limit: Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site is a day use site. 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.

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Common questions about Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site

Can you reserve a site at Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site?: No. Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site?: Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site is a day use site. Camping is prohibited in riparian areas or designated picnic sites in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.

Camping near Serna Cabin Picnic Area and Historical Site

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Permits 14.9 mi · Permit · we watch it
Riverview Campground 0.5 mi · Campground
Flying W Group Day Use Area 0.5 mi · Facility
Spring Canyon Picnic Area 0.8 mi · Facility
Dry Canyon Boat Take-Out and Picnic Area 0.8 mi · Facility
Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area 2 mi · Facility
Lee Trailhead/Picnic Area 2 mi · Facility
Black Hills Rockhound Area 5.1 mi · Facility
Gila River Boat Put-In 11 mi · Facility
Old Safford Bridge Picnic Area 11 mi · Facility
Owl Creek Campground 11.1 mi · Campground
Granville Campground 20.8 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.