The road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure
Usa, north-america
5.14 km
61 m
hard
Year-round
Just a short hop from the 288-Globe Young Highway in Arizona's Gila County, awaits the amazing 200 ft Workman Creek Falls! But heads-up, this ain't your average Sunday drive.
Forest Service Road 487 (AKA Workman Creek Road) stretches just over 3 miles, and it's unpaved the whole way. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, and forget about it if it's wet. You can usually make it to the Falls in 2WD (weather permitting), but beyond that, things get real. We're talking steep, narrow paths clinging to the side of cliffs – not for the faint of heart! It winds up to Aztec Peak lookout, a whopping 7,746 feet above sea level. The final stretch is a single-track forest road that can be a bit rocky. If the gate's open, you can drive all the way to the top.
Keep in mind, this road above the Falls Recreation Site is usually closed during the winter months (mid-December to end of March) due to snow.
The views, though? Absolutely stunning! You're in the Tonto National Forest, smack-dab in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, home to diverse wildlife and plants.
Oh, and one more thing: this area has naturally occurring uranium and radium-266, and was mined in the 50's! There are signs posted, but be aware of the potential for low-level radiation. And seriously, DO NOT enter any of the old mines – some have dangerously high radiation levels.
Where is it?
The road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.4093, -97.6251
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 61 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.4093, -97.6251
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