Discover Gila County through its many traces: Salado pueblo history, evidence of its mining past, and trails through striking landscapes. In Globe, archaeological and historical discoveries lie close together—yet offer very different perspectives on the past.

Salado Heritage and History in Globe

The Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum in Globe is home to one of the largest and most complex Salado pueblo settlements. Here, you can encounter Salado heritage at an archaeological settlement site. The Gila County Museum offers a different historical perspective: It is housed in Globe’s 1920 Mine Rescue Station. The building’s former purpose itself points to rescue work in the mining industry. Together, the settlement’s history and a historic rescue station tell different sides of the past.

Tonto National Monument also preserves Salado history: It features some of the best-preserved prehistoric Salado cliff dwellings in the national park system. The dwellings are open to the public, with interpretive information for visitors. Those interested in archaeological sites can discover another form of Salado heritage here.

The Native American Cultural Exhibit at the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum includes artifacts from the Hohokam, Salado, and Apache cultures. These three cultures give the exhibit a broad cultural and historical scope. The museum is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as by appointment. Since these are current hours, check them again before your trip.

Trails, Lake, and Landscapes

The Arizona Trail offers another perspective on Gila County: There are access points to the trail within the county. The trail passes through the Superstition Wilderness, offers views of Roosevelt Lake, and then continues to the Mogollon Rim. Section 26 follows the Highline National Recreation Trail for 17 miles before climbing steeply to the Mogollon Rim. These distance details give a concrete sense of the length and elevation profile of this section; trail conditions may vary.

For a different time commitment, the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail is one mile, or 1.6 kilometers, long and includes the return trip; it takes an average of one hour. Conditions and operating hours may change due to heat, lightning danger, fire activity, flooding, or other safety concerns. So check the current situation before your visit. Tours of the Upper Cliff Dwelling last three to four hours and run seasonally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Space is limited, reservations are required, and the schedule may change. The different time estimates can help you plan for each visit.

At Roosevelt Lake, time by the water meets a variety of vegetation. Schoolhouse Campground provides access to the lake via a paved boat ramp. Along some sections of shoreline in the Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Area, the lake is bordered by riparian vegetation; the higher-elevation surrounding area is Sonoran desert scrub. Since facility conditions can change, it is a good idea to check on the boat ramp before your visit.

The Salt River Canyon is also among the attractions in Gila County shaped by natural forces. Along with archaeological sites, museum visits, and trail sections, it shows the region from several perspectives: as a place to discover the past and to experience the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Payson, Miami, Globe, Tonto Basin, Young, Navajo, Pinal County, Coconino.

For the main travel overview: Arizona.