Christopher Creek Gorge, AZ :: Question by Castor66

[Castor66]

Any advice on where to park for this these days? I used to go here a lot but not in several years. Thinking about taking a trip here from Phoenix with kids but I remember the parking situation had become dicey. Would love some advance info so we aren't doing too much frustrating trial and error.

[azbackpackr]

@Castor66
Just off the top of my head, I'd say if you can convince the fam it's an adventure to leave Phx at 5 a.m., you could solve that problem, by getting there by 7 a.m. That works most places.

[nonot]

ADOT did everything in their power to make parking nearby illegal. When the highway was reworked they tore up the old parking area. The Scout camp access road is private and doesn't allow parking. I was told a rumor that they applied no parking signs along the road to the construction yard. I am not sure there is a legal method anymore for access, other than preparing for a several mile hike or bike to get to the old parking area. However my info is several years old.

[azbackpackr]

@nonot

sheesh!

[Nighthiker]

Plan on a group stay at RC Scout Camp and you can have access to Christopher Creek Box.

[Castor66]

@azbackpackr
Getting where though? I mean, I know where the box canyon is, but parking where and why would it have to be super early?

[Castor66]

@nonot
That aligns with the last time I tried to go but it's been years. I figured someone had a good method by now. I don't know why the state would try to prevent access to such an awesome place.

[SuperstitionGuy]

@Castor66
Because the injuries and SAR responses were so frequent that the State decided to provide limited direct access to the site!

A cabin (if you can call it that) was constructed by the Boy Scouts organization just for the emergency equipment (stretchers, body boards, ropes & ETC).

It was almost a full time job for the staff at the Boy Scout Camp to monitor and control the crowds that were appearing during the summer months.

The amount of broken glass, beer cans, and other types of trash had to be picked up on a regular basis as well.

THATS WHY...............................

[cactuscat]

How about just getting dropped off and picked up?

[Castor66]

@SuperstitionGuy
That sucks. I hate it when idiots ruin a good place, in this case by taking stupid risks and/or littering, and I'm so doing ruin it for the rest of us that simply enjoyed it. Makes 100% sense based on stuff I saw others doing when I was there.

[ShatteredArm]

Last time I was there, I parked on FR657 (across from R-C), in a pullout ~100 in. Only adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Passenger vehicles can make it to there if you're careful.