Safford Attractions

The main attractions at the Discovery Park Campus are in the Gov Aker Observatory. Exhibits highlight topics such as cultural interpretations of the beginning of life, how light is composed and the history of astronomy.

Just before sunset each day, visitors can see the Sun through a 20-in telescope with a filter.

The Graham County Historical Society Museum in Thatcher depicts life in the pioneer days, and also has many prehistoric Indian exhibits. There are over 500 historic photos on display and rooms set aside to highlight prehistory, saddles, military, kitchen, bedroom and parlor displays.

The ghost town of Aravaipa was once a mining and ranching settlement near Klondyke. The town was originally known as Dunlap, the name of a local rancher. Little remains of the once thriving town.

Aravaipa Canyon is a wilderness area near Safford under the protection of the Bureau of Land Management. Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness has colorful canyon walls, magnificent scenery, an array of wildlife and over 150 species of birds.

Bonita Creek is a stream flowing through a canyon in the Gila Mountains, just south of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. A viewing deck offers a scenic view of Bonita Creek. Excellent bird watching opportunities are found in and around the creek, especially in spring and summer.

The 10,500-acre Fishhooks Wilderness area is located 30 miles northwest of Safford. It includes numerous canyons, pine forests, and mountains. The canyons of Fishhooks Wilderness are ideal for hiking but there are no trails so compass-and-map navigation skills are required.

Gila Peak, which reaches a height of 6,629 feet, is part of the Fishhooks Wilderness area near Safford. Gila Peak is a home to a border pinyon pine forest, found only in southeastern Arizona. The lower slopes are covered with grassland and chaparral.

Klondyke is a village located in the environs of the Coronado National Forest west of Safford. Klondyke was founded in the early 1900's by gold diggers who returned after gold rush in Klondike, Yukon Territory.

Roper Lake State Park is a popular fishing, swimming and hiking area at the foot of Mount Graham, just south of Safford.

Thatcher is a small town on the edge of Safford, home of the Eastern Arizona College.

The Mills Collection at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher has a collection of Indian pottery, jewelry and weaponry. The collection of pottery highlights the Salado period.