Rafter Take Out, Gila
Fishing in Arizona
Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0
Near Roosevelt, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Rafter Take Out, Gila
Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.
The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Rafter Take Out demands.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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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.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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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.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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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.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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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.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Rafter Take Out, Gila
The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Rafter Take Out draws visitors for boating, but the 5 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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boating — Explore lakes, rivers, or coastal waters by motorboat or sailboat.
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fishing — Cast a line in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters in pursuit of local fish species.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Grassland — Grasslands are open landscapes dominated by grasses with few trees.
Wildlife Safety at Rafter Take Out, Gila
While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.
Awareness is the best safety tool at Rafter Take Out. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (67mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 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 Rafter Take Out, Gila
The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
30 bird species have been documented near Rafter Take Out, alongside 1 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.
Trees (1)
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Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.
Wildflowers (4)
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purple owl's-clover — Dense spikes of purple-tipped bracts. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Clumping cylindrical stems with dense spines. -
California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals. -
Coulter's lupine — The plant grows in open disturbed soils.
Shrubs (3)
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Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — The plant rarely exceeds a foot tall but can spread outward in mounded colonies. Its vivid blooms contrast sharply against arid landscapes. -
Sonoran scrub oak — Acorns are small and mature in a single season.
Other Plants (5)
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saguaro
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Buckhorn Cholla
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jojoba
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Panamint liveforever
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ocotillo
Mammals (1)
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White-tailed Deer — Reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter with a bright white underside to the tail.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib -
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body -
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly
Reptiles (7)
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Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.
Amphibians (3)
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Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Lowland Leopard Frog
Insects (6)
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Pipevine Swallowtail -
Queen -
Marine Blue -
Gray Buckeye -
Dainty Sulphur
Other Wildlife (1)
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Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Rafter Take Out, Gila
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Rafter Take Out, Gila Climate & Sun
For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.
The weather at Rafter Take Out follows a Semi-Arid pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 68.3°F
Annual precipitation: 15 in
With an average annual temperature of 68.3°F and 15 inches of precipitation, Rafter Take Out has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 88°F, while winter lows drop to 50°F.
Best months to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50°F | 2.1 in |
| Feb | 53°F | 1.9 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 1.6 in |
| Apr | 66°F | 0.5 in |
| May | 74°F | 0.4 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 0.1 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 1.5 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 1.9 in |
| Sep | 81°F | 1.3 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 1.0 in |
| Nov | 58°F | 1.0 in |
| Dec | 49°F | 1.7 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.
Summer: 5:12 AM – 7:34 PM
Winter: 7:20 AM – 5:17 PM
Rafter Take Out, Gila Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Rafter Take Out — here's the practical information you'll need.
From Phoenix, Rafter Take Out is a drive covering 67 miles.
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))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)
Places Near Rafter Take Out, Gila
There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.
Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Rafter Take Out.
Nearby Trails
- Coon Trail, Gila 9.68 mi
- Tule Trail, Gila 9.89 mi
- Deep Creek Trail, Gila 10.2 mi
- Parker Creek Trail, Gila 12.32 mi
- Moody Point Trail, Gila 12.32 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Rafter Take Out, Gila
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
Rafter Take Out sits under Bortle class 4 skies — Rural/suburban transition for stargazing in Arizona.
Constellations
From Rafter Take Out, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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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:
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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 Rafter Take Out, Gila
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Rafter Take Out.
Rafter Take Out is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: March - April
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: October 15 – November 5
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 Rafter Take Out, Gila
This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.
The 3 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Rafter Take Out, Gila Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Rafter Take Out 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
- Middle Proterozoic granitic rocks
- Formation
- Oracle Granite; Ruin Granite
- Lithology
- Major:{granite}, Minor:{aplite}, Incidental:{pegmatite}
- Age
- Calymmian
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 275
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Manganese, Copper, Asbestos, Silver, Uranium, Gold, Iron, Tungsten
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 113°F (2007-07-05)
- Record Low
- 0°F (1917-01-22)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 53
- Largest Fire
- Griffin (61,868.9 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Sycamore Canyon-Salt River
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0.036%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Haunted Places
- 2 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 10/100
Rafter Take Out, Gila Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check these official resources for current conditions at Rafter Take Out before you go.
Coordinates: 33.619093, -110.924197