Visit Wilderness

Sharing a long northeastern border with San Carlos Indian Reservation, Fishhooks Wilderness is a haven of solitude in an isolated and seldom visited region of Arizona.

Ruggedly beautiful with grand vistas, the area contains Upper, Middle, and Lower Fishhooks, as well as Sam, Steer Springs, and Dutch Pasture Canyons, all of which offer pleasant hiking among shady riparian vegetation.

Set in the Gila Mountains, Gila Peak, on the southern side of the Wilderness, rises to 6,629 feet (the lowest point in the Wilderness being about 4,000 feet) and supports a border piñon pine forest found only in southeastern Arizona. On lower benches and slopes you'll roam through grasslands and chaparral. In these areas, you may find elk, mule deer, white tail deer, black bear, mountain lion, coyote, and javelina.

Ten to 15 inches of precipitation falls annually in Fishhooks Wilderness with temperatures ranging from 20 to 110 degrees F.

Be forewarned: if you want to wander into the reservation you'll need a special permit.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Fishhooks Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts