Soldier Creek Campground

About

Soldier Creek Campground is nestled in a shaded forest grove high in the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Massive granite boulders, shaped over millennia by wind and weather, provide natural barriers between sites and lend the area a distinctive landscape. The campground offers a welcome escape from desert heat, as its elevation makes it one of the coolest camping areas on Mt. Graham during the summer months. Just a short walk from camp, the terrain drops away dramatically, revealing expansive views of the lower mountain slopes, the Aravaipa Valley, and the distant Galiuro and Winchester mountain ranges. Hikers can access the upper trailhead of Grant Goudy Ridge Trail #310 from the south end of the campground near the host site. This is black bear country. All food must be stored in bear-proof containers, locked vehicles, or disposed of in bear-proof trash bins. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own supply. The Swift Trail (AZ 366) closes from November 15 to April 15, making the campground inaccessible by vehicle during winter.

Directions

From Safford, Arizona: Drive south 8 miles on US 191 to AZ 366/Swift Trail. Turn right (southwest) onto AZ 366 and drive 29.7 miles to the campground entrance on the left side of the road. From Tucson: Take I-10 east for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for US 191 and turn left toward Safford. Drive 26.3 miles north and turn left on AZ 366/Swift Trail. Drive 29.7 miles to the campground entrance on the left.