Burro Creek Recreation Site | Arizona

The Burro Creek Recreation Site is situated along Burro Creek within a very scenic Sonoran Desert canyon at an elevation of 1,960 feet. This peaceful area has long been a favorite stop of travelers on nearby Highway 93. Visitors here are invariably fascinated with the contrast between the deep blue pools and tree-lined banks of Burro Creek, and the saguaro-studded hills and cliffs of its desert setting.

The recreation site features a campground, picnic area, and desert garden containing a large variety of native cacti. A large area of scenic wildlands is located upstream, providing day hiking and backpacking opportunities.

As of January 2022, the campground will be taking reservations for the group site, sites 7 and 9, and sites 10-17 through recreation.gov. Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance of your arrival at the site. Sites 1-6, 8, and 18-23 are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Wildlife is frequent in the area and include occasional sightings of desert bighorn sheep on the cliffs above Burro Creek and a variety of birds. These include cactus wren, Gambel’s quail, Gila woodpecker, great horned owl, great blue heron, Vermilion flycatcher, and cliff swallow to name a few. Javelina, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes have been known to use the area as the creek serves an important role in the harsh desert environment. 

The area, while desolate during the warm summer months, gives way to cooler temperatures from October through April annually and provides exceptional opportunities for hunting, off-highway vehicle use, wildlife watching, photography, sightseeing, and a variety of other dispersed recreational opportunities. Depending upon winter and spring precipitation, the area surrounding the Burro Creek Campground provides visitors with excellent spring wildflower displays March through May.