Burro Creek Campground

Burro Creek Campground (1,960' elevation) sits along the 57-mile Burro Creek in a transition zone between the upper reaches of the Sonoran Desert and the lower reaches of the Mojave. Saguaro-studded cliffs rise along steep canyon walls, contrasting with the creek's dense vegetation and flowing water, which forms deep pools just adjacent to the campground. Access is by a 1.25-mile paved road from U.S. Highway 93 at mile post 140.2. There are 23 individual campsites, 1 group site, and 2 day-use sites, with shaded picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and grills at the group site and day-use area. Flush toilets are provided at two locations, along with one dump station. Water hookups are not available at campsites, but drinking water is provided at various points throughout the campground. Sites 1, 2, and 10 through 17 are best for larger RVs (Class A) and fifth-wheel trailers due to maneuverability; other sites can take large rigs, but those are the ones to try first. The campground features a Watchable Wildlife Exhibit and an Interpretive Desert Garden, and hiking trails lead down to Burro Creek. The creek offers rockhounding, wading, and wildlife viewing, especially birding, with a wide array of raptors and other species. Sites 7, 8, and 9 are best for bird watching. An adjacent canyon carved by the creek anchors the scenery, with other mountains and mesas visible in the background and a diverse Sonoran desert plant community of saguaros, cholla and barrel cacti, creosote bushes, Palo Verde trees, and catclaw. On the banks of Burro Creek are willow and cottonwood trees and a wide variety of riparian shrubs. Wildlife is frequent in the campground: occasional desert bighorn sheep on the cliffs above the creek, and birds including cactus wren, Gambel's quail, Gila woodpecker, great horned owl, great blue heron, Vermilion flycatcher, and cliff swallow. Javelina, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes use the area as well, as the creek plays an important role in this harsh desert environment. The surrounding public lands are open to sightseeing by four-wheel drive along county-maintained dirt roads that wind through varied geologic scenery and vegetation, from Sonoran and Mojave desert into interior chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodland. The roads are maintained regularly, but check with the local BLM office before your trip and use caution: travel on unimproved dirt roads is at your own risk. Desolate during the warm summer months, the area cools from October through April and offers hunting, off-highway vehicle use, wildlife watching, photography, and other dispersed recreation. Depending on winter and spring precipitation, expect excellent wildflower displays March through May.