Kearny
- Commander of the Army of the West, who explored along the Gila River from 1849 to 1850. He set up base camp near a site that would later bear his name. Kearny was a planned community built in 1958 for worker Kearny is named after General Stephen W. Kearny, les at the Kennecott Copper Company open-pit mine and reduction plant. This Pinal County community, located along the Gila River, is almost equidistant from Phoenix and Tucson. From Phoenix, take Interstate 10 east to state Highway 60, continue east on Highway 60 to U.S. 60 east to Superior and then turn south on state Highway 177. The quickest path from Tucson is taking U.S. 89 to Oracle Junction, turning northeast on state Highway 77 to Winkelman and then turning northwest on state Highway 177.
- Principal Economic Activities Today, ASARCO (Grupo Mexico) operates the large open-pit copper mine, reduction plant and smelter near Kearny. The mine, and the company’s smelter in Hayden, provide much of the employment for residents in Kearny. Most other employment in Kearny is in the commercial and services sectors.
- Scenic Attractions Kearny has off-highway vehicle (ATV) campsites in the mountain foothills and an 11-acre fishing lake with hiking and campsites. Kearny is in the heart of ATV country. Ray Mines, one of Arizona's largest open-pit mining operations, is 11 miles north. Hills and desert vegetation of the area provide opportunities for the rockhound, photographer, historian, bird watcher, botanist and hunter. Fishing, camping, walking and picnicking are popular along portions of the Gila River. Kearny has a nine-hole golf course. Area highways provide dramatic mountain and canyon scenery.
- Community Facilities The town of Kearny has a library, community center, three parks, one golf course and many athletic facilities including Little League, football, softball and baseball fields. Kearny's uptown includes the General Kearny Inn, bars, cafes, a large grocery store, a drugstore and several commercial establishments. Its wide boulevard is used for many community festivals. Kearny has a downtown commercial area which includes an airport, restaurant and livestock corrals. https://www.azcommerce.com/locate/community-profiles/
Hayden
- In 2017 the Arizona Republic described Hayden as: “an American story of strong work ethic and resilience, and opportunities for chasing the American dream.” The copper mining town’s fortunes have faded since it was founded in 1911. Hayden started as a company town owned by the Kennecott Copper Corporation for employees extracting high-grade copper ore from nearby hills. Prominent smokestacks visible from Highway 77 remain an optimistic expression of prosperity and jobs following Kennecott’s $40 million expansion. Now owned by the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Hayden’s copper smelter is one of only three still in operation across the United States.
- Hayden’s 9-hole public golf club (# 125 Golf Course Road) opened in 1930; it, too remains in business and invites visitors with 2915 yards from the longest tees, Bermuda grass on the fairways and Tiff Dwarf on the greens – and two sets of tees welcome different skill levels. There's a pro-shop, rental carts and pull carts; a driving range and putting green. Other details? Call (520) 356-7801. One golfer described it as: “quiet and peaceful course, great value - a little piece of real estate with serenity.” While in Hayden, sample local cuisine at Maria's Restaurant. If you are a Rock Climber, then one of the best rocks in the southwest is located nearby called Homestead Rock.
- The 9-hole Hayden Golf Club in Hayden, Arizona is a public golf course. Hayden Golf Club measures 2915 yards from the longest tees. https://www.discovergilacounty.com/hayden
Winkelman
- At an elevation of 1,972 feet, Winkelman is located at the southern end of Gila County. The town is part of Pinal County at the confluence of the San Pedro and Gila Rivers. The history of Winkelman dates back to 1877 and 1878 when a large number of farmers migrated to the region. With the coming of the railroad, a post office was established in 1903 near the ranch of Peter Winkelman. Winkelman was incorporated in 1914. However, a few years later the town disincorporated and later reincorporated on June 6, 1949.
- Principal Economic Activities Winkelman is the smallest incorporated town in Arizona, and most of Winkelman’s economic activity is based on copper. The community serves primarily as a service center and residential area for families of employees associated with mining and processing activities. The principal employer within the town is the HaydenWinkelman School District. Arizona State Highways 77 and 177 provide excellent access to different parts of the state. Both highways run through Winkelman.
- Scenic Attractions The surrounding scenery is some of the most spectacular in the state, and Winkelman sits on the Old West Highway route. The Mescal and Saddleback mountain ranges provide the backdrop for the meandering Gila River. Community Facilities At the gateway to Winkelman stands a roadside park featuring a 115-foot-long adobe wall. Visitors can walk around, through or meet within it. The wall tells the history of the town by using bits of ranching and mining implements, as well as local geological samples. The Winkelman Luten Historic Bridge was constructed in 1916 and is only one of two still in existence in the country designed by Daniel Luten, famous for the Luten Arch. In 2016, Winkelman celebrated the Centennial of the Historic Bridge. An added attraction to Winkelman is the Winkelman Flats Public Park located adjacent to the Gila River. This park provides RV camping with all utility hookups, dry camping areas, swimming, tubing, canoeing and fishing. This park has a playground area for children, lighted softball field, concession stand, mud volleyball courts, ramadas with benches throughout the park and a rodeo arena. This park provides restroom and shower facilities. In October 2014, Winkelman celebrated its centennial. On that same day, Winkelman’s ore cart, A Penny for your Thoughts, was dedicated by the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. The Ore Cart Trail encourages tourism in the region. Winkelman’s ore cart was the second of 10 ore carts that will be placed in towns along the Copper Corridor. https://www.azcommerce.com/locate/community-profiles/
Araviapa
San Manuel
Araviapa
- Congress created the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. Aravaipa's outstanding scenery, desert fish and wildlife, rich history, and opportunities for primitive recreation will remain free from the influence of man and are protected in this condition for future generations. Its 19,410 acres beckon adventurers who yearn for solitude and scenic splendor. https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona/aravaipa
Mammoth
San Manuel
Araviapa
- The Gateway to The Galiuro Mountians ! Mammoth was founded in 1876 as a mining camp for the surrounding mines, located on the west banks of the San Pedro River and the base of the Galiuro Mountains which serve as a beautiful backdrop for the town. Mammoth became an incorporated town in 1958 and held it’s first Town Council on March 21, 1958. https://townofmammoth.us/
- Mammoth was founded c. 1872 as Mammoth Camp, serving the nearby Mammoth Mine. Until 2003, when it closed. The nearby ghost town of Copper Creek is a popular local attraction. Minerals from the old Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine are found in all major mineral collections. Tiger, Arizona was the townsite at the Tiger mine, but nothing remains of this ghost town. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth,_Arizona
San Manuel
San Manuel
San Manuel
- San Manuel overlooks the panoramic Galiuro Mountains. Just an hour or so NE of Tucson it makes a nice getaway for a day trip, vacation or secluded retreat.
- Rent UTV’s in San Manuel or visit a mining & mineral museum, library and senior center. Also, find places to eat, lodging & RV park spaces and places to shop. San Manuel has an airport for personal aircraft.
- Area attractions include zipline tours, a cave, Biosphere 2, a casino and San Manuel is a gateway community of The Arizona Trail. Also, find UTV and mountain bike rentals and an archery range course.
- The region has various scenic & primitive roads for sightseeing. It’s also a popular off-road adventure destination for UTV’s, ATV’s & dirt bikes. Hunters can book hunting expeditions through local guide services. https://sanmanuelaz.org/
Oracle
Superior
San Manuel
- Where the mountains meet the desert, you’ll find the quirky, western town of Oracle nestled among boulders, oaks and grasslands. Located 35 miles from central Tucson in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains, its elevation is a cool 4,500 feet. Its history dates from the 1800s, when it was a stagecoach stopover with guest ranches, small mines and accommodation for visitors seeking our clear, dry air. Today Oracle is the home of six guest ranches, great local eateries & shops, Oracle State Park, the Arizona Trail, Arizona Zipline Adventures, Triangle L Ranch Sculpture Park, and Biosphere 2.
- You can experience nature your way - by birding, hiking, camping, or mountain biking.
- Come for a day, a weekend, or longer and get to know the beauty of our surroundings. There are plenty of things to do, or just relax amid rolling hills and cool oak forests. https://www.visitoracle.org/
Superior
Superior
Superior
- Situated on U.S. 60, part of the Gila-Pinal Scenic Road, Superior is about an hour east of Phoenix.
- Enjoy a stroll on the Legends of Superior Trails. Starting downtown at the corner of Main and Magma, this wide interpretive path meanders along Queen Creek as it follows the original alignment of U.S. 60. You'll enjoy views of the high canyon walls, a unique perspective of Queen Creek Bridge and informational signs. The trail climbs through the old highway tunnel. Return the way you came for a 4-mile round trip.
- www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5269665.pdf.
Globe
Superior
Superior
- A visit to the the scenic city of Globe, Arizona offers some of the world’s most spectacular mountain views. Located in the heart of Gila County, the area was a mining camp at one point in time, and it's full of history. Visitors can hear stories first-hand about the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, and drive along the truly unforgettable and scenic Salt River Canyon Drive .
- The Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive takes travelers through hills covered with juniper before arriving at the Salt River Canyon, formed over thousands of year by a river cutting through to the lands geologic core. The canyon is one of the state of Arizona’s most beautiful sights to see. Visitors traveling along the scenic drive to this twisting and steep expanse will pass through Globe, Miami, and Claypool, three of the area’s mining towns. There are several other things to see along the drive as well, such as the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, Seneca Lake, and the Salt River Canyon Viewpoint. https://vacationidea.com/arizona/best-things-to-do-in-globe.html