The Cottonwood Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail that links the Serna Cabin Picnic Area, Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, Riverview Campground, Flying W Group Day Use Area, and Kearny Camp Monument. It is an easy trail that includes some gentle slopes and unstable surfaces. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for hiking the trail.
From Safford, travel approximately five miles east on U.S. Highway 70 to the town of Solomon and turn left onto Sanchez Road. Travel north for eight miles, crossing the bridge at the Gila River, to a Gila Box RNCA sign. Turn left onto that dirt road. Travel another 3.8 miles and take the right fork in the road. Travel 0.6 mile to another fork and turn right. Follow the signs at the next fork, turning right into the Riverview Campground. The picnic area, with its large W-shaped canopy, is just beyond the campground. This is the best place to begin a hike on the Cottonwood Trail.
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