Gila NF--Deadman Canyon Trail

About this Location

Deadman Canyon Trail is a 2.7-mile point-to-point trail in Gila National Forest. It is a difficult trail that descends from the Burro Mountains to Tyrone Road, crossing several rocky and narrow sections along the way. The trail offers views of Deadman Canyon, which has a creek that may or may not have water depending on the season. The trail is also part of the Continental Divide Trail, a long-distance hiking route that spans from Canada to Mexico. 

About Gila National Forest

See all hotspots at Gila National Forest

With over three million acres of forested hills, majestic mountains, and range land, Gila National Forest is best known for its wilderness areas, in particular the Gila Wilderness, the first wilderness in the United States. The magnificent mountain scenery, cool summer temperatures, and relatively warm winters permit a wide range of recreational opportunities during all seasons.

The Gila National Forest includes more wilderness than any other national forest in the Southwest. This undeveloped natural country can refresh the human spirit simply by its grandeur, purity, and remoteness.

The wilderness areas on the Gila comprise a vast, roadless realm astride the Black, Mogollon, Diablo, and Blue mountain ranges, varying from grassland foothills upward through juniper woodland, ponderosa pine, and then spruce-fir forests on the high peaks. Mountain meadows, aspen glades, and spruce forests border on narrow, rock-walled canyons which in some places plunge to depths of more than a thousand feet.

Three wilderness areas together total 792,584 acres or approximately 24% of the Gila National Forest. The Gila Wilderness, at 559,688 acres, is New Mexico's largest wilderness with an extensive trail system providing access. The Gila Wilderness, the world's first designated wilderness, was created on June 3, 1924, at the urging of the great conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold. The Aldo Leopold Wilderness lies to the east, while towards the west, the smaller Blue Range Wilderness adjoins Arizona's rugged Blue Range Primitive Area.

Aldo Leopold Wilderness
The Aldo Leopold Wilderness is 202,016 acres and straddles the Black Range on the eastern side of the Forest.
Blue Range Wilderness
The 29,304-acre Blue Range Wilderness adjoins Arizona's rugged Blue Range Primitive Area.
Gila Wilderness
The 558,065-acre Gila Wilderness, created in June 1924 at the urging of the great conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold, was the world's first designated wilderness.

Notable Trails

The Hiking Project website and the AllTrails website have descriptions and maps of hikes on the Deadman Canyon Trail. 

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website and Gila National Forest Official Website

Last updated August 15, 2023