Campground Overview:
Rose Creek Campground and Sawmill Flats Campground, located along the unpaved Hwy 288, are commonly used as base-camps to explore the Salome Wilderness and Sierra Ancha Wilderness Areas. This wilderness region of the Tonto National Forest contains thousands of acres of forests, filled with deep canyons, miles of trails, and old Forest Roads. Rose Creek offers trails and trailheads all within 5 miles of the campground. The campground is small and only includes five campsites with picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet. No trash service or water is available.
While the majority of the forest roads in the area are well maintained and used frequently, during snow or heavy rain, a high clearance vehicle may be required. Always use common sense and be prepared.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Globe |
Fishing: |
None |
Campground Website: |
Rose Creek Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Salome Wilderness was established in 1984 and contains approximately 18,530 acres, with a major canyon running practically its entire length. The upper reaches of Salome Creek and Workman Creek are small perennial streams snaking their way through the bottom of this scenic canyon. Pools of water can be found nearly all year. Cross-country travel is very difficult. The popular trails in this area include: Jug Trail #61, Boyer Trail #148, and Hell’s Hole Trail #284.
Sierra Ancha Wilderness was first established in 1933 as a “Primitive Area,” this 20,850 acre wilderness is full of surprises, and is a pleasure to explore. While not large in acres, this very special wilderness includes precipitous box canyons, high cliffs, and pine-covered mountains. The popular trails into this wilderness include: Moody Point Trail #140, Parker Trail #160, Abbey’s Way #151, and Grapevine Trail #135
Ruins of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, located along Cherry Creek and Devil’s Chasm, present somewhat of a mystery to archeologists. From 500 to 950 AD the region stood at the boundary between three distinct traditions: the Mogollon to the east, the Hohokam to the west, and the Sinagua to the north. Then about 950 AD a new culture—the Salado—appeared, occupying a region almost 100 miles across with the Sierra Anchas near its center. Tree ring dating of timbers used in construction indicates that the Anchan ruins were built and occupied over a relatively short seventy year period, from 1280 to 1350, which would make them Salado in origin.
However, certain elements of the architecture, tools and pottery show a strong Mogollon influence as well. Adding to the mystery is the fact that the ruins are constructed in extremely inaccessible locations, raising the possibility that defense against invasion was a strong motivation. It has been suggested that this may have been the remnants of an older or hybrid community that managed to cling to its traditions for some time after the surrounding area was occupied by the Salado. At the present time, archeologists simply refer to the inhabitants as the “Anchan Tradition.”
The ruins can be explored via hiking into the Canyons: Cold Spring Canyon Ruins, Devil’s Chasm Ruins, Moody Point Trail #140.