Black Hills Back Country Byway: drive times, camping, fishn

[louie]

Wondering if you drive the road from south to north and the plan is to return to Phoenix if it is quicker to simply turn around and head back down the road to Safford of if taking HWY 191 back to Safford would be quicker even though 191 is much longer mileage wise, but it is all paved.

Also, any input on car camping along the gila river at the crossing? Would love to car camp along the water. How about fisnhn'? Anyone have any luck with that?

Much thanks,
Louie

[outdoor_lover]

I would drive the Byway south to north and return via 191...It's longer, but quicker and has some pretty awesome scenery in it's own right...You would also pass a turnoff into the Black Hills and the Rockhound area just before the South junction with the Byway again and that's a pretty cool area to go back into....

There are two areas by the River by the old Bridge...one is a turnoff just south of the Bridge and one after you cross the Bridge that's more "modern" and climbs up to a Bluff overlooking the Bridge and the River....I honestly cannot remember if Camping is allowed in either of those places....

Contact SkyIslander13 or PrestontheYeti by PM as they are very familiar with the area...

I would highly recommend stopping by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and picking up the Brochure on the Byway...It gives you detailed information on "Points of Interest" broken down by mileage, of everything to see and do in there....

Enjoy!!! It's a pretty cool Trip!

[big_load]

It's a beautiful drive.

[louie]

Cool and just to confirm I should be fine with an extended full size passenger van, correct? Also, isn't there a way to access some of the rockhound park along the byway? Thanks for the info. Most helpful:-)

[outdoor_lover]

@louie
Yes and Yes...A Passenger Car would do fine as well as a Van...They keep it pretty good, but just keep in mind that it is a dirt road so it will be rocky in spots and there are some hairpin turns and uphills...I did it without any thought at all in a Front Wheel Drive SUV....You'll be fine....

There are areas that you stop in the beginning that "overlook" the Rockhound area, but you would have to Hike down to it...The Road that actually goes into it is off of 191 and you can drive back quite a ways. The Road can be pretty rocky in places, but is generally good....