DISCOVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
In the “Heart of Arizona,” Gila County is home to wild adventure, epic history, and access to everything outdoors. Come Explore The Wild and Discover Gila County!
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ATTEND A SPECIAL EVENT
Gila County has a wide variety of special events and activities that provide fun for the whole family.
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VISIT OUR COMMUNITIES
Explore many of the incredible communities that make Gila County such a perfect escape.
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WORK IN GILA COUNTY
Find your new career or business opportunity in Gila County, Arizona.
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SHOP IN GILA COUNTY
Gila County is known for its antiquing treasures. Unique boutique's & antiques ready to be explored!
Are you ready to take an adventure like none other and open yourself up to the experiences and beauty that life gives you? If so then Gila County was made for you. Below we have compiled some of the best adventure itineraries into half, full-day, and extended experience packages. All you have to do is follow the itinerary to create memories and Explore the Wild.
Find Access to Hundreds of Recreational Opportunities
Are you an adventure enthusiast? Love to gas up the tank and create new memories? Do you love to shop for the perfect antique or spend a relaxing family weekend on the lake catching a dream fish? Gila County hosts incredible outdoor recreation, peaceful retreats, and hundreds of events that will leave a lasting impression on those who come to explore. We invite you to come and EXPLORE THE WILD.
A Place to Explore
From desert cactus to the ponderosa pines and everything in between!
Discover Your Best Adventure in Gila County
Click below to find one of the many beautiful attractions, accommodations, communities or things to do in Gila County, Arizona.
- Things to Do
- Attractions
- Accommodations
- Communities
Experience A Trip To Gila County Like Never Before
Find a few of our most frequently asked questions as you plan your trip to Gila County, Arizona. For more information click below!
Get Acquainted with Gila County -- With a population of 53,500 residents and covering 4,796 square miles, Gila County has always been a great place to live, work and play. Gila County is in Central Arizona and contains the Tonto Apache Reservation and parts of the Fort Apache and San Carlos Reservations. The county was formed in 1881 from parts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties, and later added the northern portion of the county from Yavapai County. Cities and Towns in Gila County include Globe, Hayden, Miami, Payson, Star Valley and Winkelman, along with a large number of rural unincorporated communities. Gila County is located on the northeastern edge of the Sonoran Desert, and covers a wide variety of life zones, including desert, high desert plains, chaparral, pinon-juniper and pine forests. There are a number of popular recreation areas in Gila County, including Roosevelt Lake, Tonto National Monument, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, and Fossil Creek, along with several designated Wilderness Areas and popular camping areas within the Tonto National Forest.
If you have an emergency it is always best to call 911. If it is a non-life threatening emergency you can call:
The Gila County Sheriff's Office
108 W Main St A, Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: (928) 474-2208
Most places no. But if you will be visiting either the San Carlos Indian Reservation or the White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands you will need a permit. If you plan on hiking, camping, fishing, atving, bird watching, hunting (no matter what) you will need to contact them and get a permit.
Here is their contact information:
San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department Phone: (928)-475-2343
Website
White Mountain Apache Tribal Game and Fish Phone Number: (928) 338-4385 Fax Number: (928) 338-1712 Mailing Address: PO Box 220, Whiteriver, AZ 85941 Physical Address: 100 West Fatco Rd, Whiteriver, AZ 85941
Website
The answer is yes. The type of license you need is what you will need to do further research on. Here is a link to the Arizona Game and Fish Departments website:
https://www.azgfd.com/license/
Bear in mind that if you plan on fishing in either San Carlos Indian Reservation or the White Mountian Apache Reservation, you will need a different license. See "Do I need a permit for more info."
Anytime is really a good time to visit Gila County. Bear in mind that in the summer the Phoenix Area is very hot but you can head to the mountains of Gila County to escape the heat. Typically in the summer months, it is about 20 degrees cooler in Rim Country and about 10 degrees cooler in the southern parts of the County. Check our weather page to make sure you are up-to-date information before you head out on your adventure.
Well, first of all, be prepared for some fun! To ensure that you have an enjoyable time please make sure you read our "Staying Alive Guide". This will prepare you for what you are about to do.
DON'T forget to bring lots of water. This is Arizona! Whatever you think you need - double it. When you head out on a long hike, don't do it in open-toed shoes. You will be hating life when you are done. Bring a cell phone with you and always tell someone where you are going.
Follow Us on Instagram
Looking for the perfect winter getaway? 🤔
@thestrawberryinn is the perfect mountain escape! Enjoy beautiful weather under the ponderosa pines. Here’s a few more details about your stay at the Inn.
🍓 Family Friendly & Dog Friendly
🍓 Coffee House On-Site
🍓 Outdoor Common Areas
🍓 Centered in the Middle of Cafes & Shops
🍓 Accommodations for All Sizes
📸 : @twodognite

Tonto National Monument Holiday Luminary Event
Perfect for families and kids! See Tonto National Monument like never before, only in Gila County, Arizona!
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Trail Closes at 8 PM
For more info visit
https://www.facebook.com/TontoNPS
#discovergilacounty
#tontonationalmonument
#explorethewild

⭐️History Illuminated⭐️
Save the date for the
➡️36th Annual Festival of Lights
at the Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum
🗓️December 7th, 2024
⏰5-9 pm
#discovergilacounty #discoveringarizona #arizonaofficeoftourism
#gotoglobe #globemiami #beshbagowah

So many amazing Holiday events coming up over the next couple week. Please watch for more events like this one across the county.
Just one week away from the 45th annual Swiss Village Lighting event!! Come join in all the Christmas activities!
They will have:
*Food
*Vendors
*Kids Activities
*Ugly Sweater Contest
*Gingerbread house voting!
*LIVE music
*SANTA & a special guest!
& much more!
#discovergilacounty

The Northern Lights from right here in Gila County 💫
Thank you Amanda Moors for sharing!
#DiscoverGilaCounty

Fall time is special in Gila County. Temperatures start to cool and leaves start to change creating the perfect cozy little family retreat. 🍂
View a few perfect day trip ideas from @wizard_of_za 🎥
#discovergilacounty

Come experience true Native American history at the Apache Jii Festival on October 19th in Globe, Arizona.
🎥 : @owlsarebetter
