Greenlee County: Copper History and Contrasting Landscapes

Greenlee County combines a distinctive mining history with diverse landscapes. The southern half is characterized by desert-like basin-and-range lowlands, where mesquite grass, yucca, creosote bushes, and saltbushes grow. In the northern highlands, you’ll find ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, and alpine flowers. There are also historic buildings and opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider whether culture, landscapes, or longer excursions should be the focus of your trip.

Copper History and Clifton Architecture

Morenci Operations began commercial mining in 1872; underground mining followed in 1881, and open-pit mining began in 1937. Morenci is considered one of North America’s largest copper producers and the site of one of the world’s largest open-pit mines. At the historic smelter site in Clifton, retaining walls, foundations, ore bins made of slag blocks and stone, and several storage tanks remain.

The Clifton Townsite Historic District lies in the canyon of the San Francisco River, with red rocks and hills framing the district. It includes a largely intact group of buildings from different periods of Clifton’s early development, from 1871 to 1920. La Casa Grande is the oldest surviving building in Greenlee County. Historic Chase Creek Street is considered one of the best-preserved examples of architecture from Arizona’s territorial period.

Clifton Union Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a good example of Territorial-style architecture. Its mural commemorates the United Steelworkers strike of 1983 to 1986 and features a portrait of Cesar Chavez. Another reminder of the region’s industrial history is Locomotive No. 8, “The Copperhead”: it is displayed in Clifton beside the Old Jail and carried ore between Clifton and Longfellow. The Clifton Cliff Jail became unusable after a flood in 1906 when it filled with sediment.

The Greenlee County Historical Society Museum preserves the history of Greenlee County through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free, and the museum is accessible to everyone; check current operating information before visiting. In Clifton, the historic Train Depot now houses the Visitors Center and Community Center. The Visitors Center is an official Arizona Visitor Information Center, recognized by the Arizona Office of Tourism. If you plan to visit, check the latest operating information beforehand.

Landscapes and Outdoor Excursions

The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area is located in Graham and Greenlee Counties. At the edge of Bonita Creek, an observation platform offers views at treetop level. It is fully accessible year-round; spring and summer are considered the best times for viewing. As accessibility may change with site conditions, check the platform’s status before your trip.

The excursions vary considerably in length. Trail 501 leads 0.82 miles to a fire lookout tower on Rose Peak. The lookout tower was built in 1929 to replace several earlier wooden lookout towers. A longer option is an approximately eight-mile loop hike around Mitchell Peak, which is 7,951 feet high. Eagle Creek offers opportunities for day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips; access requires a sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicle with high ground clearance.

Chitty Trail No. 37 leads to Chitty Falls. In Chitty Creek Canyon, a perennial stream makes it possible to observe many birds and other wildlife. Check current trail conditions before hiking. You can also fish for catfish in the Gila River in Greenlee County; check applicable fishing regulations and river conditions beforehand.

There are camping opportunities in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the area around Greenlee County; check current forest conditions before setting out. Backpacking into the Blue Range Primitive Area is also possible. Be sure to observe current conditions and access restrictions. For a different kind of exploration, the Coronado Trail largely follows the route used by Spanish conquistadors searching for the Seven Cities of Gold. Limestone Canyon, northeast of Clifton, is among the world’s largest deposits of agate, blood-red jasper, and steel-gray rhyolite.

The annual County Fair is considered a place where Greenlee County’s railroad and small-town farming culture is especially visible. Check the current event calendar before your trip. This lets you weigh cultural and nature-focused interests when planning, without combining the different excursions and landscapes into a single itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Morenci, Maricopa, Apache County, La Paz County, Graham County, Navajo, Yavapai, Coconino.

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