Photo: BLMArizona / Public domain

Fishing 5,334 ft Bortle 2 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is the perfect place to go for a thrilling drive in your off-road vehicles. The byway also offers a challenge for experienced mountain bikers or hikers. Other hobbies you could try your hand at are horseback riding, birding, photographing wildlife, fishing and hunting, or even rock collecting. Rockhound is open for digging unique stones. One of the most popular stones to collect is Fire Agate. The Black Hills area includes parts of the Gila River. Take a picnic to the old Safford Bridge, or join the rafters floating down the river. About a quarter of a mile hike up an old abandoned road along the river leads to the hottest natural hot springs in Arizona. The waters are only accessible during low river flow but they stay a constant 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Near Morenci, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

Based on the terrain, climate, and wildlife at Black Hills Back Country Byway, here's what to bring.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.
SPF50 lip balm — Lips lack melanin and burn faster than other skin; cracked, sunburned lips at altitude are painful and slow to heal.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Black Hills Back Country Byway supports 9 outdoor activities, with birdwatching being the most popular draw.

Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

birdwatching — Spot and identify birds in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal habitats.
fishing — Cast a line in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters in pursuit of local fish species.
horseback_riding — Explore trails and open landscapes from the saddle.
mountain_biking — Ride off-road trails that wind through forests, deserts, and mountain terrain.
off_roading — Navigate rugged trails and backcountry routes with high-clearance vehicles.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
soaking — Relax in natural hot springs or designated soaking pools surrounded by scenic views.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

With a danger score of 30/10, Black Hills Back Country Byway has a few wildlife hazards worth preparing for.

Danger rating: 30/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (162mi from city)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (33N), Elevated (5,334ft), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Black Hills Back Country Byway sits within a Desert ecosystem home to 3 documented mammal species and 30 bird species.

Trees (4)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — The tree is highly fire-adapted and thrives with periodic low-intensity burns.
Emory oak — It grows in desert mountains of the Southwest.
Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.
gray oak — It grows in dry foothill habitats.

Wildflowers (1)

California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals.

Shrubs (2)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
tree cholla — Spiny segments create a dense protective armor. It thrives in desert flats and rocky slopes.

Other Plants (5)

alligator juniper
Parry's agave
ocotillo
pointleaf manzanita
fishhook barrel cactus

Mammals (3)

Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump.
American Black Bear — A stocky bear with rounded ears and a straight facial profile.
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail.

Birds (30)

Mountain Bluebird — Bright sky-blue male
Bufflehead — Small duck with large white head patch
Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat
Gadwall — Subtle gray male with black rump
Sandhill Crane — Tall gray body

Reptiles (5)

Greater Earless Lizard — A small lizard lacking visible external ear openings.
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — A stout rattlesnake with olive or yellowish body and dark tail.
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.
Clark's Spiny Lizard — A medium lizard with rough scales and gray to brown coloration.

Amphibians (2)

Canyon Tree Frog
Red-spotted Toad

Insects (14)

Blue-ringed Dancer
White-belted Ringtail
Powdered Dancer
Dusky Dancer
Sooty Dancer

Other Wildlife (2)

Arizona Bark Scorpion
Red Shiner

Nature Bingo at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Turkey Vulture (bird)
Bighorn Sheep (mammal)
Greater Earless Lizard (reptile)
Canyon Tree Frog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The climate at Black Hills Back Country Byway averages 61.6°F annually, with Semi-Arid conditions.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 61.6°F

Annual precipitation: 15 in

With an average annual temperature of 61.6°F and 15 inches of precipitation, Black Hills Back Country Byway has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 80°F, while winter lows drop to 44°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.

Winter 44°

1.2"

Spring 60°

0.3"

Summer 80°

2.6"

Fall 63°

1.1"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	44°F	1.2 in
Feb	47°F	1.1 in
Mar	52°F	0.8 in
Apr	60°F	0.3 in
May	68°F	0.4 in
Jun	78°F	0.5 in
Jul	80°F	2.6 in
Aug	78°F	2.9 in
Sep	73°F	1.9 in
Oct	63°F	1.1 in
Nov	52°F	0.9 in
Dec	44°F	1.3 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 10 hours in winter to 14.3 hours in summer — a difference of 4.3 hours.

Summer: 5:08 AM – 7:26 PM

Winter: 7:12 AM – 5:12 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:12 AM, Sunset 5:12 PM Golden hour from 4:34 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:08 AM, Sunset 7:26 PM Golden hour from 6:50 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:29 AM, Sunset 6:24 PM Golden hour from 5:52 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:00 AM, Sunset 6:25 PM Golden hour from 5:52 PM

Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Black Hills Back Country Byway — here's the practical information you'll need.

The nearest major city to Black Hills Back Country Byway is Phoenix, about 162 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (162 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $40.56 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 131.1 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)

Places Near Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

There are 15 outdoor destinations within easy reach of Black Hills Back Country Byway.

Nearby Trails

Pleasant Valley Trail, Greenlee 12.27 mi
Hickey Springs Trail, Greenlee 12.72 mi
Silver Trail, Greenlee 15.55 mi
Brushy Trail, Greenlee 16.65 mi
Woods Trail, Greenlee 17.65 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Owl Creek Campground, Greenlee 4.76 mi
Riverview Campground, Graham 7.92 mi
Black Jack Group Cg Campground, Greenlee 18.58 mi
Granville Cg Campground, Greenlee 19.61 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

The skies above Black Hills Back Country Byway register a Bortle class 2, making this a Typical truly dark site location for stargazing.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

From Black Hills Back Country Byway, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Black Hills Back Country Byway.

The seasons shape the experience at Black Hills Back Country Byway — here's what each one brings.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 25 – November 15

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee

This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.

Black Hills Back Country Byway sits on the traditional lands of Chiricahua Apache, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include White Mountain, Chiricahua.

Data from Native Land Digital

Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Black Hills Back Country Byway sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Pliocene to middle Miocene deposits
Lithology: Major:{conglomerate,sandstone}, Minor:{mudstone,siltstone,limestone,gypsum}
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 71
Unique Species: 64
Oldest: 372.2 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 91
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Manganese, Fluorine-Fluorite, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Copper, Gold, Silver, Aluminum

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 2513
ESA Endangered: 61
ESA Threatened: 31
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 113°F (2020-07-30)
Record Low: -3°F (2011-02-03)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 12
Largest Fire: Ash Peak (241 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Ash Peak Canyon-Gila River
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 7.371%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 2 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 4/100

Black Hills Back Country Byway, Greenlee Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check current conditions at Black Hills Back Country Byway before heading out using these official sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: DUNCAN, AZ US (16.92 mi)