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This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Graham. A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake. The Safford Recreation Area is also home to the Galiuro Mountainsand the Santa Teresa Range. The 76,317 acre Galiuro Wildernessis steeped in history and contains an extensive trail network. The Santa Teresas are rugged and remote, with a variety of primitive trails leading into a 26,780 acre Wilderness.
We took our 2 year old to Roper and stayed in the cabins. The cabins sit along the lake edge and the view is beautiful day or night. We love seeing the variety of birds, wildlife and peacefulness of Roper. We took a well cleared hike around the lake. Toward the evening, we relaxed in the hot springs in Roper. The camp fire is outside the cabin and is a perfect way to end the evening. I highly recommend Roper. The Rangers are always around and there to help.
Beautiful setting. Very family friendly and oriented, amazing views of Mount Graham from the shores of the lake. Awesome little hiking trails.
Friendly, affordable, accessible, and filled with the desert's beauty - they have everything you could want in a high desert getaway. We first parked our motor home between a huge mesquite & a gazebo covered picnic table, before moving closer to the lake where we can listen to the ducks. There's cabins if you're interested, and a picturesque path between them & the showers. The Rangers are helpful and friendly and shopping in nearby Safford/ Thatcher is a delight - the prices are well below what I'm used to. Just be ready for everyone to say hello. This is the very best of small town life.
Water was a little stained but crystal clear. It's a beatiful place this time of year. Great place to visit and you can rent cabins on the water.
