High Country Attractions

Built in 1913, the Greenlee County Historical Museum serves as a home for the relics of an age of mining and community long since past. The exhibits and artifacts housed within tell the stories of an industry and its people who have since been supplanted by newer technologies and largely automated mechanisms. But while visitors to the modern mine are unlikely to see anyone swing a pick-ax or light a gas lantern, any patron of the museum will be able to step back in time and feel the power of an industry and its community built on the backs of intrepid men and daring women.Additional exhibits include displays about Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Apache warrior Geronimo, and Ted De Grazia, who were all born nearby.

Little House Museum near Springerville has relics and photos from the pioneer days. The Music Hall is filled with one of a kind instruments, many of the old buildings have been restored and there are turn of the century vintage fashions on display.

Round Valley Ensphere in Eagar is the only high school domed stadium in the United States.

The Cobre Valley Center for the Arts in Globe was established by local artists to showcase their work. It is presently located in the 1906 Old Gila County Courthouse. Exhibits at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts include sculptures, jewelry, hand weaving, quilts, photography and other works of art.

The Gila County Historical Museum in Globe showcases the native, pioneer and mining histories of the area. The museum building dates from 1914, and was once the rescue building for the Old Dominion Copper Mine located across the street.

The Besh-Ba-Gowah Archeological Park in Globe consists of Salado cliff dwellings similar to those at the Tonto National Monument.

San Carlos Lake covers 19,500 acres of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Known for its bass fishing, the lake was created by the 880-foot Coolidge Dam, dedicated in 1930.

Cassadore Springs is a small picnic area and campground north of the town of San Carlos in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Point of Pines is a 35-acre trout lake in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Talkalai Lake is a fishing lake north of the town of San Carlos in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

San Carlos is the largest settlement in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Seneca Park is a 27-acre trout lake in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

The Morenci Open Pit Mine is one of the biggest man-made holes in the world.

Pin Tail Lake is an artificial lake located north of Show Low. The lake is a waterfowl marsh habitat that is home to Mallards, Northern Pintails, Cinnamon teals and Gadwall.

Show Low Lake is located five miles south of Show Low and noted for its fishing.

Butterfly Lodge was built in Greer in 1914. The cabin's name ("Apuni Oyis" in Blackfoot) was inspired by the many butterflies in the nearby meadows. It was the mountain home and hunting lodge of James Willard Schultz (1859 - 1947) and his son, Hart Merriam Schultz, known as Lone Wolf (1882-1970).

Woodland Reservoir near Pinetop is an 18-acre fishing lake. The reservoir was built in 1884 to serve as the receiving end of a pipeline from the Skaneateles Lake.

Rainbow Lake is an 80-acre reservoir in Lakeside.

Scott Reservoir near Lakeside is a fishing lake of 70 acres.

Just west of Miami are the open pits of the Pinto Valley Copper Mines.

The Magma Copper Mine in Superior has a shaft nearly 5,000 feet deep. The warm rock formation created a need that brought about the first air-conditioned mine in North America, improving health and safety factors in mine operations and making deeper excavation possible.

The ghost town of Pinal City was once the mill town for the Silver Creek Mine, located along Queen Creek. A few grave markers and wagon ruts are all that remain today.

Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden, founded by mining magnate Colonel William Boyce in the 1920's.

Four miles north of Young is the gravesite of the first victim of the Pleasant Valley War, a Navajo sheepherder. The location of his grave is marked with a white cross, a pile of stones, and a sign that marks the spot.