Gila River Trail: Grapevine to Sapillo Creek

Gila Wilderness, Gila National Forest (Wilderness Ranger District)

Below its forks, the main Gila River winds through a deep canyon in the Gila Wilderness. Gila River Trail #724 follows the canyon bottom, crossing back and forth, for 32.6 miles to Turkey Creek, according to the Forest Service. The upper 15 miles, from Grapevine to the mouth of Sapillo Creek, make a demanding out-and-back of several days.

NPS calls it rugged, with route finding and overgrown sections.

The hike

The Forest Service lists the Gila River Trailhead on Forest Road 528, just before the highway bridge, with ample parking. The trail enters the wilderness after half a mile and then generally follows the river through the canyon bottom. Gila Trails Info calls the start Grapevine and lists the 15 miles from there to Sapillo Creek as logged, brushed, and marked in 2024, adding: “Be aware that this river trail floods.” It also warns that willows and leafy growth can hide the trail in summer.

The Gila Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen reported on Trailforks in July 2025 that trail work had been done from the Grapevine bridge to Sapillo Creek and rated it all clear, with a warning to “expect fast regrowth of leafy vegetation.”

Not every report is that tidy. A Continental Divide Trail hiker who walked the river upstream from Sapillo Creek in 2022 expected about 200 river crossings and wrote, “This trail isn’t marked, and there almost never is a defined trail, at least not in this section.” She covered 12.4 miles in a day at about a mile an hour. In October 2024, Desert Lavender’s group heard from southbound CDT hikers that the trail was “completely washed out for three miles north of the confluence.”

Desert Lavender’s group reached the confluence from the Sheep Corral side, which it lists at 6.5 miles with a 2,100-foot drop; it gives the Spring Canyon route at 7 miles. Above the confluence, the group followed Sapillo Creek about two miles to the Sapillo Box, a slot with a large pool that requires a swim; the blog says it can’t be passed without a wetsuit. It described the creek as having “an impressive flow” and many small waterfalls.

The Forest Service lists Spring Canyon, Granny Mountain, Brushy Mountain, Alum Camp, and Turkey Creek trails as connections. Downstream, the trail ends near Turkey Creek Hot Springs, a possible through-trip with a car shuttle.

Tips

Check the gauge. Gila Trails Info suggests not crossing the main Gila above 200 cfs.
Avoid flood seasons. NPS says spring runoff and July-August storms make crossings very hazardous.
Carry a GPS track. Cairns mark some crossings, but many aren’t.
Wear shoes made for wading and plan on wet feet all day.
Budget extra time. Expect a slow pace on the river sections.

Camping

No backpacking permit is needed; organized groups need a Forest Service permit. NPS asks you to camp at least 200 feet from springs, streams, and trails, on high ground with no sign of flooding, and never on archaeological sites. Hang food at least 10 feet up. Forest Order 03-06-00-25-002 limits stays to 14 days in 30. The Gila lifted fire restrictions on July 20, 2026. Treat all water.

Inside Intel: Desert Lavender’s October 2024 group camped near the Sapillo Creek confluence in a grove of cedar, Arizona sycamore, and ponderosa pine between red volcanic cliffs and the creek, with a big pool at the junction. No other camper accounts recommending a specific site on this stretch were found.

Trail facts

Distance: About 30 miles round trip to Sapillo Creek (15 each way, Gila Trails Info); full trail 32.6 miles one way (Forest Service)
Route type: Out and back; shuttle options via Sheep Corral, Spring Canyon, or Turkey Creek
Difficulty: Strenuous
Campsites: Dispersed; none designated
Water: The Gila River and Sapillo Creek (treat it)
Permits: None for individuals
Bear and food storage: Hang food (NPS)
Dogs: Allowed under control (NPS)
Trailhead: Gila River Trailhead (Grapevine), Forest Road 528
Last verified: October 11, 2026

The Lowdown

Crossing the Gila again and again:

The Gila River Trail crosses back and forth along the canyon bottom, and one hiker expected about 200 crossings. Five tips for timing, footwear and knowing when the river is too high.

See the water-crossing tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.