Black Hills Back Country Byway Overview

View of the Black Hills (AZ) [1]

A rugged favorite of local adventuresome drivers, the 21-mile Black Hills Back Country Byway provides an exciting view of the northern end of the Peloncillo Mountains. From lava rock formations to dry stretches of desert grassland, this is Arizona’s desert at its finest.

Black Hills Sign (AZ) [2]

Those seeking the desert’s hottest views will not be disappointed. The byway begins and ends in a desert shrub plant community, so expect hardy plants like creosote and heat-loving critters like the roadrunner and diamondback rattlesnake. In the byway's higher elevations, the desert’s harshness melts into grassland, home to quail, coyotes, and the red-tailed hawk. Travel to the byway's highest and thus coolest areas to spot mule deer and various migratory birds living amidst the evergreens and shrubs.

Indulge your inner thrill-seeker with a four-wheeler, mountain bike, or extended hiking trip along any of the maze of side roads and trails. Spend some time and relax at the Owl Creek Campground or one of the developed picnic areas along the byway. The byway crosses the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area's lush riparian corridor, providing a starting point to 23 miles of the Gila River that can be explored by raft or kayak. Pick up a special treasure at the Black Hills Rockhound Area, an open-digging site known for its deposits of fire agate, a gemstone found only in the southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico.

For great desert views, a wonderful variety of wildlife, and geologic treasures, visit the Black Hills Back Country Byway of Arizona.